Colorado Ballet Announces auditions for the following openings:

TRUMPET
VIOLA
BASSOON

These are contract positions beginning with the 2013/14 Season. Compensation is currently $102/service plus a 5.45% pension contribution for the 2012-2013 Season. A new agreement is being negotiated.

Auditions will be held on June 12, 2013 at the Colorado Ballet facility at 1278 Lincoln St. in Denver. To apply please email a one-page resume to Brandi Glass, Company Manager at brandi.glass@coloradoballet.org Complete information will be provided upon receipt of resume.

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Thursday, March 28, 20132, 5:30 PM
Food & Beverages Available at 5:00 PM

MEETING AGENDA: Guest Presenter: Cacie Carganilla, Marketing/Business  Development Officer, lectrical Federal Credit Union.    Since 1953, EFCU has exclusively served the financial needs of various Denver area labor unions and their families with the only unionized office staff of any financial institution in the state of Colorado. www.electricalfcu.org

Paying Taxes for Exposure … or stipends
What do Denver Arts & Venues and Augustana Arts have in common?
ANSWER: They’re both publicly-funded and offer musicians “a stipend” for professional service. Arts & Venues needs a band to play background music at a reception “for the Cultural Community” in Denver and Augustana Arts is offering a stipend to members of Musica Sacra to perform in the Buell Theater.

Anyone care to “volunteer” to perform for the opening of a new Light Rail Station on the leg to Golden? Where will this stop? Must we all Pay to Play even when public funds are involved? Many interests beyond the DMA should be joining in our fight to preserve Colorado’s prevailing wage, but their silence is now deafening … and funded.

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There is a company traveling around the country attempting to hire our musicians for the purpose of recording music for a new television show (The Choir), based around the production of choirs. The AFM has been in contact with this company (Shed Music US) for the purpose of signing the appropriate AFM Agreement for this show. Unfortunately, they have chosen not to sign with us and have managed to slip into three of our Locals that we know of and record their shows.

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New York, NY — At its October meeting, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) International Executive Board announced its endorsement of President Obama for a second term. The board cited the progress Obama has made in appointing members to the National Labor Relations Board who understand the needs of working people; reversing the anti-labor legacy he inherited, including advocating for the Employee Free Choice Act that ensures workers’ rights to organize; pushing for the elimination of tax breaks for companies that outsource American jobs; and calling on the rich to pay their fair share of taxes.
READ ON

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As you are all no doubt aware, the musicians of the Indianapolis Symphony have been egregiously locked out by their management for over four weeks, and the musicians are taking a courageous stand to protect their organization and preserve the investment that the citizens of Indianapolis have made in their historic orchestra for 80 years. The musicians have made six different proposals that would allow them to return to the stage, all of which have been rejected. The musicians are paying their own health insurance premiums in order to care for their families, and the management has already canceled all concerts through October 14. We have all followed the press accounts of this negotiation and seen the destructive proposals by management that would permanently alter the ability of the organization to serve its community.
Read On

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The management of the Louisville Orchestra has announced that they intend to immediately hire a replacement orchestra.

The Louisville Orchestra Musicians Association (LOMA) has established an on-line petition that will allow you to demonstrate your support for the musicians of this great and historic orchestra. It is very important that musicians everywhere sign this petition in a display of solidarity and to demonstrate to the leaders of the city of Louisville that the musicians of the LOMA have your support.

Click Here to sign petition

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Join the DMA between 4/1/12 and 9/30/12 and save the $115 initiation fee!

The Labor Movement:
The folks who brought you the weekend!

DMA’s six-month membership drive recognizes the Labor Movement and its great contribution to our nation and to our representative democracy. The DMA is affiliated with the American Federation of Musicians and the AFL-CIO. There is no better time than NOW – the 2012 election cycle – to become a UNION member. Make your voice heard!

Click on the following links to see a small sample of DMA Member Benefits and AFM Member Benefits

Prospective members are encouraged to attend our March 26 Membership Meeting (see details below).
More

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The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Willaert as AFM Vice President from Canada, effective immediately. Willaert has worked for the AFM for more than 20 years in close collaboration with five different Vice Presidents from Canada, making him a natural choice to assume the post. In his most recent position, Willaert was Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) Executive Director overseeing copyright compliance matters, lobbying efforts, and collective bargaining, and also serving as a liaison with CFM locals and members.

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New website puts working people front and center, creates community space
www.aflcio.org

March 1, 2012 – The AFL-CIO launched its new website today to put the stories of working people front and center and create a community space to share information, take action, and showcase the work of the labor movement. The website is part of a broader effort to highlight the diverse work of the labor movement and use innovative technology to engage people in dynamic ways.

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With the approaching public launch of AFM Entertainment, now is the time to add your musical act to the AFM’s new booking service.

Sign up today!
http://afmentertainment.org

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The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jay Blumenthal as director of Symphonic Services and as the Federation’s Assistant Treasurer.

“Jay’s outstanding relationship-building abilities have produced unparalleled excellence in the symphonic employment sector,” says AFM President Ray Hair. “He is well known for promoting open, honest discussion on difficult issues, in difficult times, in a manner that encourages respect and problem-solving.”

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Labor unions, progressive organizations, community leaders and higher education students will join together Monday, April 4th in several Colorado cities at rallies, marches, teach-ins and walk-outs to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and to demand political and economic justice for all people.

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Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn., where he was standing with sanitation workers demanding their dream of a better life. Today, the right to bargain collectively for a voice at work and a middle-class life are under attack as never before.

People across America-black, white, Latino and Asian American-are electrified by that same dream and are standing up for the right to join together for our common dreams. A series of labor events in Denver will culminate in a Candlelight Vigil at the Denver City Park from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the City Park, Bandshell Facility East 17th Ave and Steele St.

Featuring: AFM 760’s Mario Solis-Marich, Nita Gonzales, Alan Gilbert, Andrea Merida, Henry Roman, Jeff Englehart, and many more
Download flyer for more information

Please join us for Music, Faith, and Solidarity with Colorado Working Families. The featured house band for this historic event will be DMA’s own Jerry Barnett and Moments Notice. We will staged at the Bandshell located on the East side of Ferril Lake. For more information call the Colorado AFL-CIO at 303-433-2100.

11:30 AM – March Begins
SEIU Justice for Janitors March
17th & California

12:30 PM – Teach-In
Auraria Campus
Lawrence St. Mall (in front of the Plaza Building)

5:30 PM – We Are One!
Rally & Candle Light Vigil, City Park Band Shell

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The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) will begin a leafleting campaign against NETworks Presentations, LLC’s production of the musical Beauty and the Beast in San Antonio, Texas. Tour producer NETworks Presentations has chosen not to contract touring musicians at rates of pay and with benefits that are acceptable to professional musicians. Instead, NETworks has engaged non-AFM musicians at substandard rates of pay and under substandard working conditions. In addition, the Disney musical will be presented using a pit orchestra of only 11 musicians, despite the fact that 26 are called for in the original, award-winning Broadway score.

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From October 1 through December 31, 2010, the Denver Musicians Association (DMA) is offering an exclusive $50 membership discount to members of the Colorado Music Business Association (COMBO).

And, from October 1 through December 31, 2010, COMBO is offering a $10 exclusive membership discount to DMA members at a cost of $20. Read On

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New York, NY – The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kenneth Shirk of Local 99 (Portland, OR) to serve as Assistant to the President for the Western United States.

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Many of our brothers and sisters in Nashville are facing devastating financial, property and personal loss due to the recent floods in the region. Many musicians have suffered significant damage to their instruments, recording studios, and homes. Some have lost everything.
AFM Musicians Disaster Relief Fund

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National Nurses United activated its nationwide disaster relief network and has recruited more than 3,400 nurse volunteers to assist Haitians. Urban search-and-rescue (US&R) teams made up of Fire Fighters from across North America are already on their way to provide rescue operations, medical care and other emergency services. The Steelworkers and other unions are contributing and raising funds to help. For updates on union efforts, follow the AFL-CIO Now blog
Please click now to donate to help Haiti:
Doctors Without Borders
Partners in Health
Red Cross International Response Fund
RN Response Network
Solidarity Center Education Fund
United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund

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The American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund is reducing the pension benefit multiplier for benefits earned from the Fund on and after January 1, 2010. These changes will have no effect on benefits earned through December 31, 2009, which will be paid under the Fund’s rules currently in effect. If you are currently receiving a pension benefit, your pension benefits will remain unchanged. We have also included along with this notice a list of Questions and Answers About the January 1, 2010 Reduction in the Pension Benefit Multiplier, which describes the reasons for the change and provides additional related information.

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The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) is a union and the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians.

You don’t have to be a union member or professional musician to help fight for musicians. If you care about music and musicians, you can join Friends of AFM. Friends of AFM will help you keep informed and speak up on important issues. JOIN Friends of AFM!
Join the AFM’s GetActive e-mail list

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DMA’s Membership Directory & Resource Book is an ideal place for low-cost, targeted advertising. In 2008 we printed 1,500 copies that were delivered to DMA members, Booking Agents, Hotel Entertainment Directors and Caterers. This book is an excellent marketing tool for all local, music-related businesses.
2010 Advertising Rates will be 20% less than 2008.

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The American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund (AFM-EPF) today announced a new online service for its participants. Participants who have registered on the AFM-EP’s website at www.afm-epf.org are now able to view and download their Interim Covered Earnings Reports. These reports provide participants with the ability to access details of their work history for the current year.

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The Colorado Symphony Association and the musicians of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra have reached agreement on a new contract. The new contract will cover the musicians through the 2009-10 season and the 2010 summer season.

CSO musicians have agreed to accept a reduction in pay of 12.5 percent, and will take up to four weeks of unpaid furlough. Employer contributions to the musicians’ private retirement fund will be suspended, but 3% contributions to AFM-EPF shall continue.
Information and Tickets

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Big Summer Weekend Petition Drive: – Saturday July 12th and Sunday July 13th. – 9am to 1pm both days. – If you can help please contact Statewide Field Director, Mindie Reule at 303-477-2037.

Weekend Meet-Up Locations:
Denver: 140 Sheridan Blvd.
Colorado Springs: 3737 Palmer Park Blvd.
Boulder: 1823 Folsom St, Ste 201
Grand Junction: 123 North 7th, Suite 110
Fort Collins: Fort Collins City Park (413 S. Bryan St)
Pueblo: IUOE Local 9, 706 Elmhurst Place

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You don’t need anyone to tell you that your paycheck is devalued, that working families are suffering from foreclosure, skyrocketing health costs, gas prices, etc,… Bad policy, including deliberate efforts to weaken organized labor, is largely to blame. It’s about time WE start doing something about it.

Please read on for more information and to download issue posters.

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Last night, the members of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra unanimously voted by secret ballot to reject the CSO Board’s “final offer” for a new contract which would take effect next season. The offer called for a 40% annual salary cut from all 53 Full-Time Musicians with no restoration in additional years.

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Sam Gill has appeared with jazz greats such as Max Roach, J.J. Johnson, Phineas Newborn, Paul Bley and Thelonius Monk. He has recorded with the likes of Randy Weston , Art Blakey and Max Roach, and is listed in the International Who’s Who in Music, Who’s Who Among Black Americans and Blacks in Classical Music. In 1955, Downbeat Magazine ranked Sam Gill above jazz icons such as Milt Hinton and Paul Chambers, etching Sam’s name into history as one of the “New Star’s” in jazz. This December, after 48 years as a member of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Sam Gill will retire from the orchestra after a rich and influential career.

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