Klarinet Archive - Posting 000133.txt from 2003/03

From: b1rite@-----. Rite)
Subj: Re: [kl] Fwd: Save Broadway Musicians
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 18:37:35 -0500

<><> Richard Bush wrote:
Now here is something worth talking about and thinking about.

....although "worth talking about" does vary from one person to the
next.... but here's a question about "Virtual Orchestra Machines":

Are they basically glorified CD players, or something else?

Begin forwarded message:
From: Sillymeclover@-----.com
Date: Sun Feb 23, 2003 8:18:18 PM US/Pacific
Subject: Save Broadway Musicians
Dear list:
This email is being passed along to inform anyone not already aware of
the
situation occurring with Broadway theater. This issue should be a
concern to
all of us that perform live music. Please read...
>From Ben Herrington, New York City:
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
If you are a professional musician, music presenter, music teacher or,
most
of all, a music lover, this issue is important to you.=A0 Live
orchestras on
Broadway are in jeopardy!=A0 The new contract between Broadway musicians
and
the League of American Theaters and Producers (LATP) is currently being
negotiated.=A0 LATP is fighting to replace live musicians with recorded
music
and/or fancy karaoke machines called "Virtual Orchestras."=A0 If they
succeed,
live Broadway orchestras will become a thing of the past.=A0 This is not
a
squabble over a few dollars and pension benefits, it is a fight for the
very
survival of live orchestras.=A0 Go now to <A
HREF=3D"www.savelivebroadway.com">
www.savelivebroadway.com</A> and sign our petition or read on for more
details.
It's probably not necessary to explain why synthetic music in place of
real
musicians is, on it's face, a bad idea.=A0 But there are also broader
issues.
Broadway orchestras employ about 275 regulars and 1500 subs.=A0 Steady
work on
Broadway is what allows these musicians the financial means to stay
active in
classical, jazz, rock, ethnic, experimental and every other kind of
music.=A0
Without this freelance network, New York City would lose its place as
the
largest, most vibrant music scene in the world.
Right now Broadway sets the standard.=A0 Throughout the nation, cities
like LA,
Chicago, Atlanta and many others regularly present fantastic musical
productions. These shows, which utilize live, full orchestras help to
support
professional music communities nationwide.=A0 But if the New York
musicians
lose this battle, it won't be long before canned music would
proliferate, and
those music communities would wither and die.
One of our biggest concerns is that if the quality of Broadway is
cheapened,
tourism not only in New York but nationwide will suffer. Could LATP
possibly
be that short sighted?=A0 Let's hope not.=A0 However, the mentality of
short term
profit taking is quite prevalent in the business world today.=A0
Certainly
these producers are not immune.=A0 They believe that if they replace the
musicians, the public either won't mind or won't know the difference.=A0
Please help us by telling them you don't agree.=A0 Log onto <A
HREF=3D"www.savelivebroadway.com">www.savelivebroadway.com</A> and sign
our
petition. You'll also find more specifics about the contract
negotiations.=A0
And please forward this letter to anyone you think might be willing to
help.=A0
If you've ever enjoyed hearing live musicians perform in any context,
not
just a Broadway show, we need your help now.
Sincerely,
Ben Herrington
Richard Bush
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0Maker of 'BasSonic' bassoon reeds
760 Robins Avenue
Ogden, UT 84404
(801) 393-7265
IDRS member
rbushidioglot@-----.com
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