 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-03-06 14:19
A letter to all from Jim Roe, a musician at "AIDA"
"Hello friends:
We are now at the final hour for live musicians on Broadway. If the League of American Theaters and Producers has its way, tomorrow night will be the last night with live pit orchestras in Broadway theaters.
Hundreds of jobs and an indigenous American art form are on the line, and over what? Corporate greed. All the live music on Broadway is paid for by less than $3 per ticket. (By contrast, the advertising budget takes nearly $12 per ticket,) Yet, the League proposes to 1) reduce the size of orchestras from 26 live musicians to 7, 2) reject a 5% raise over the next 5 years, 3) reduce our pension, and 4) take away our job security. I think they would propose dancing on our graves it they could get the language into the contract.
If you have any interest in this issue, there is still something simple you can do. The hundreds of musicians who make their living in Broadway theaters hope it'll help. At the end of this letter are the phone numbers for New York City's major Theatrical Production companies. Please call them (You'll only speak with a secretary. Don't worry, you won't have to argue with a "real live" producer.) and tell them that you won't buy tickets to Broadway if they kill the music. That's all you have to say. Though you can say more is you'd like.
I offer my sincere thanks. The only thing that can save us now is a public outcry strong enough to reach the ears of the corporate production companies listed below. Please pass this along to any friends, if you think they'd like to help."
Jim Roe
Broadway Oboist
NYC
League of American Theaters and Producers (212) 764-1122
Shuberts (212) 944-3700
Nederlanders (212) 840-5577
Jujamcyn (212) 840-8181
Disney (212) 827-5442
Alan Wasser Associates (212) 307-0800
Dodgers (212) 565-9710
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: larryb
Date: 2003-03-06 15:34
I sympathize with the musicians' union in this contract negotiation, but I was wondering about another "issue:" doubling, tripling, etc.
My question is: when pit musicians double, triple, our even quadruple (I've seen musicians playing sax, oboe, bassoon, flute), does that restrict the ability of other musicians from getting employment in broadway shows? In other words, does doubling, etc. save money for producers, earn more money for established union musicians, and limit entry level employment for younger unestablished musicians?
I'm not trying to be contentious - just curious.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-03-06 21:07
From Local 802 NYC:
TO ALL BROADWAY REGULARS AND SUBS:
"Negotiations between the League and 802 started today (March 6th) at 2:00pm. In the event there is no tentative agreement in place by midnight tonight, Local 802 will be on strike.
For the latest information call the 802 hotline at 212-245-4802 ext. 260.
OR check the 802 website at www.local802afm.org.
We are striking all Broadway rehearsals, performances and music preparation
services.
ALL musicians will be needed to commence picketing at roughly 5pm (or whenever the first employees begin work at the theatre) in front of the stage doors of every theatre. If there are rehearsals scheduled earlier, we will need to organize a picketline for that as well. This will be coordinated primarily by the Theatre Reps at each show.
If you sub or have subbed on more than one show, contact any of the Theatre Rep from the shows you've been on and let them know that you will be showing up at 5pm.
After the stage door picketing (from 5pm - 7:15 pm), most musicians will be then asked to leaflet the audience up until the performance (if any) begins.
Picket signs will be available throughout the day on Friday at Local 802, but coordinate first with your theatre rep who will be picking up picket signs for your show.
(If we are still on strike after Friday night, there will be another e-mail
with SAT and SUN logistics) --
IF A STRIKE HAPPENS, WE NEED EVERYONE TO CLEAR THEIR WEEKEND COMPLETELY AND PARTICIPATE IN PICKETING ACTIVITY--
WE NEED TO DO OUR BEST TO SHUT DOWN THE SHOWS FRIDAY, SAT. AND SUN."
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2003-03-06 22:12
On your strike lines, be confrontational and vocal with any "scab" sub musician who might dare to cross, but remember, no violins...............
(seriously) Good Luck, Local 802.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-03-07 03:45
Good question, larryb:
Most who "double" on more than one horn, usually the reed chairs in most shows, do so at the direction of the composers/copiests. No one is put out of work or denied work, simply, the chair specifies what instruments are needed the cover that part. If a young "unestablished" clarinet player wants to play on Broadway, and can only play clarinet, he must wait for a straight clarinet book, as that's all he's prepared to play. Reed books are seldom taken apart to accommodate non-doublers, as players are rarely added, but rather taken away. Sometimes there is a re-orchestration done to eliminate reed chairs from 5 players to 3 or 4, in that case a doubler is replaced by having his book put into the other doubler's books. That is in fact what the producers have been forcing the copiest/composers/conductors/contractors to do for years, and thus shrinking the pit orchestra sizes. Not only eliminating work for all reed players, but cheapening the product for the public by cutting down the original orchestra size and losing the integrity of the sound and music. I would estimate that a third of the reed books on Broadway this season are being played by fairly young terrific doublers. Age isn't so much a factor as ability, not one's own perceived ability, but one's real ability to cover the difficult Broadway woodwind chairs. Desire to do the job sometimes just isn't enough, when the chance to play comes, one must really be ready.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
