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Sign up to support striking WGA writers!

The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada has joined SAG-AFTRA, DGA, and I.A.T.S.E. in support of the Writers Guild of America and their ongoing negotiations for a new film and TV contract.

Local 47 is taking concrete steps to support our Writers Guild colleagues in this strike. Their goal is our goal: winning fair and livable compensation from the same film/TV studios with whom we will be negotiating with later this year. We are in close communication with WGA leadership. Supporting each other is extremely important to both our campaigns.

Local 47 will be joining writers on their picket lines at four locations: Sony, Fox, Paramount and Warner Bros. studios. WGA members will be picketing from 9am-1pm and 1-5pm each day at these locations until further notice. It will be ideal that Local 47 members will be present each day as well. Please use our online form to sign up to participate. We can meet, walk together – and we will provide you with a Local 47 T-shirt.

In Solidarity,

Your Local 47 leadership

May 2023 Overture Online: International Workers’ Day

Inside This Issue:

COVER STORY: International Workers’ Day
Gail Kruvand Elected New Secretary/Treasurer
Member Spotlight: Reggie Watts
Spring Membership Drive: Spread the Word!
All That Jazz: Highlights From Our First Annual AFM Local 47 Jazz Festival
MPTF Announces Two Student Scholarships for 2023
AFM Stands in Solidarity with WGA in Their Fight to Win a Fair Contract
Auditions: Modesto Symphony Orchestra

and more!

Download the FREE App:

No smart device? No problem! View our pdf archive here.

Gail Kruvand Elected New Secretary/Treasurer

At our April 24, 2023 Local 47 General Membership Meeting, Special Elections took place to fill five vacant offices. The first vote for Secretary/Treasurer yielded the following returns:

SECRETARY/TREASURER – 1 elected
Gail Kruvand – 52
Gary Lasley – 4

Kruvand assumed office immediately upon the completion of the ballot count announcement and certification by the Election Board during the meeting. Kruvand succeeds Danita Ng-Poss, who had served as Secretary/Treasurer since January 2021 until her resignation in January 2023. Continue reading →

Special Election results: Secretary/Treasurer, Hearing & Election Boards

At our April 24, 2023 Local 47 General Membership Meeting, Special Elections took place to fill five vacant offices. The results of voting are as follows:

SECRETARY/TREASURER – 1 elected
Gail Kruvand – 52
Gary Lasley – 4

HEARING BOARD – 2 elected
Michael Arnold – 49
Marcy Vaj – 45
Leslie Baker – 15

ELECTION BOARD – 2 elected
Paul Castillo – 41
Clifford Tasner – 35
Oliver Theess – 26

Thank you to all nominees and members who participated in the Special Elections, and congratulations to all of our newly elected officials!

New Members Appointed to Hearing & Election Boards

Special elections for two vacancies each on the Hearing Board and Election Board were held at our April 24th General Membership Meeting. The results of voting were as follows:

HEARING BOARD – 2 elected
Michael Arnold – 49
Marcy Vaj – 45
Leslie Baker – 15

ELECTION BOARD – 2 elected
Paul Castillo – 41
Clifford Tasner – 35
Oliver Theess – 26

Thank you to all nominees and members who participated in the Special Elections, and congratulations to all of our newly elected officials!

Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund: ‘What is New Media?’ Podcast

Many musicians don’t know enough about “new media” and musicians’ income. In the video below, learn all about it from Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, the executive director of the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund.

Click here for the full-length podcast (44:24), or view the highlights video (4:05) here.

Member Spotlight: William Roper

The musical experience of multi-disciplinary artist William Roper ranges from the symphony stage to free-improvisation groups. He has toured Europe, North and South America, and Japan as a soloist and with ensembles. His musicianship is represented on over 60 recordings, including 12 as leader and co-leader. He has played or recorded with numerous artists and ensembles including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Elton John, Leon Russell, Yusef Lateef, Michiyo Yagi, James Newton, Bobby Bradford, Francis Wong, Horace Tapscott, Anthony Braxton, Douglas Ewart, Daisuke Fuwa, Michael Vlatkovich, Vinny Golia, Wadada Leo Smith, Tim McGraw, Glenn Horiuchi and many others. In addition, he has played on several major motion picture soundtracks. Continue reading →

Spring 2023 Membership Drive

Spring Membership Drive: Spread the Word!

As a professional musician, you know that your real strength comes from working collectively with other musicians. Help spread the word about the benefits of union membership during our Spring Membership Drive!

If you know someone who should be in the union, now is the perfect time to join. From April 1 through June 30, new and returning members pay ZERO initiation fees — a $140 discount!

Learn more at afm47.org/join. Continue reading →

April 2023 Overture Online: First Annual AFM Local 47 Jazz Festival

Inside This Issue:

COVER STORY: First Annual AFM Local 47 Jazz Festival – Three-day concert series during Jazz Appreciation Month April 2, 16 & 23
Spring Membership Drive – Spread the Word!
Next General Membership Meeting: April 24
Member Spotlight: William Roper
Fair Share For Musicians Campaign Update
Behind the Scenes at the 95th Annual Academy Awards
‘What is New Media?’ Podcast With FMSMF’s Kim Roberts Hedgpeth
Auditions: Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Monterey Symphony

and more!

Download the FREE App:

No smart device? No problem! View our pdf archive here.

Final Note: Al Imbach

Life Member. Trombone
3/11/1938 – 2/28/2023

Allen Edward (“Al”) Imbach, legendary Las Vegas and Los Angeles trombone player, arranger, composer, conductor and beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather and uncle, passed peacefully from natural causes on February 28, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada with his devoted son by his side. Al was 84 years old. Continue reading →