Category Archives: Overture E-Magazine

The official e-publication of AFM Local 47

A New Beginning for Inclusion, Transparency

Congratulations to those of you who participated in the Inaugural Meeting last month.

In addition to witnessing the swearing in of the officers of the incoming administration by AFM President Gagaliardi, you honored outgoing President O’Keefe by naming her as President Emeritus. You received an upbeat financial report for the Local as work continues to come back in the recording sector. However, the Musicians’ Club report wasn’t so rosy with another large deficit for 2025. We are committed to a process that includes every one of you and urge you to participate in General Membership meetings to be a part of the discussion as we grapple with the finances of our building.

President Sazer, Vice President Acosta, and I have already begun working as a team and will share some of the duties traditionally handled by the President.

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Hollywood Arts Collective Housing – Waitlist Open!

The waitlist at The Hollywood Arts Collective is now open and accepting applications! To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, click here.

The Hollywood Arts Collective is a 152-unit, income and rent restricted affordable housing property for the arts and entertainment community. The building has three resident gardens and courtyards with a BBQ, resident terraces, laundry facilities, fitness room, community room with full kitchen and pool table, and other tenant amenities.

LA Ballet Signs New Contract with AFM 47

The Los Angeles Ballet, which closed a successful run of “The Nutcracker” at the Dolby Theatre, recently ratified their new successor collective bargaining agreement with AFM 47 on December 27, 2025.

“The Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra Committee is thrilled to have ratified this CBA in collaboration with LA Ballet management and is excited to be a part of this innovative ballet company,” Marcia Dickstein, harpist and orchestra committee chair.

“I am very pleased to have completed this negotiation,” said previous AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe, who just stepped down in January 2026. “This new agreement clearly highlights LA Ballet’s commitment to the magic combination of live music and dance.”

Attention All String Players

The League of American Orchestras is hosting a webinar regarding new rules under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora , aka CITES. Know if your bow is in compliance before you travel.

The panel of speakers includes AFM Director of Symphonic Services Division Rochelle Skolnick .

You may use this link to register for this free webinar scheduled for February 10th.

January 2026 Overture E-Magazine: GRAMMY Nominees

Inside This Issue:

Cover Story – 2026 GRAMMY Nominees
AFM Local 47 2025 General Election Results
Inaugural Meeting & Muscians’ Club Annual Meeting: Monday, January 12
Meet the Incoming Local 47 Administration
Member Spotlight: FINNEAS
The Challenges of Teaching Music During the Era of ICE: A conversation with Kadima Conservatory founder Beth Elliott
Join AFM at NAMM 2026!
Support the American Music Fairness Act
AFM Local 47 Welcomes YOLA Teaching Artists
Know Your Rights: Protect Yourself Against ICE
Benefits Corner: HUB International Insurance
Final Notes: Serena Kay Williams, Gordon Goodwin
Annual Notice Re: Supreme Court Beck Decision
Audition Notices: Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, Long Beach Symphony
and more!

Browse our full Overture pdf archives here.

For exclusive members-only Overture content — Executive Board minutes, CBAs, Local 47 Wage Scales, Bylaws, Suspended/Expelled member lists, and more — log in to your new E2 member account at ensemble.afm47.org and browse the “Overture” section on the Documents page. (New to E2? Visit our E2 FAQ here.)

December 2025 Overture E-Magazine: Holiday Concert Guide

Inside This Issue:

Cover Story – Holiday Concert Guide
AFM Local 47 2025 General Election Day is December 9
How to Cast Your Ballot
Prohibited Campaigning Reminders
Member Spotlight: Hannah Hooper
ATTENTION: Membership Dues Increase for 2026
‘Tis the Season – Spread Joy With a Toy! Donate by December 15
In the Pit: LA Opera’s ‘La Bohème’ at the Dorothy Chandler
Starbucks Baristas Fight for a Fair Contract
Great News for L.A. Renters: LARSO Caps Pass!
Update From the Entertainment Union Coalition: 17 television projects selected in latest round of expanded Film & Television Tax Credit Program
Rest in Power: Kent Wong, Labor Leader
Final Notes: Cleto Escobedo III
Have You Been Impacted by ICE Raids? Tell us your story
Audition Notices: Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, Long Beach Symphony
and more!

Browse our full Overture pdf archives here.

November 2025 Overture E-Magazine: Use Your Vote! 🗳️

Inside This Issue:

Cover Story – Use Your Vote!
- CA Statewide Special Election for Prop 50 – November 4
- AFM Local 47 Triennial General Election – December 9
Local 47 2025 General Election
- How to Cast Your Ballot
- Prohibited Campaigning Reminders
Results of Voting at October 27 General Membership Meeting
Member Spotlight: Euro Zambrano
AFM Announces Sound Recording Labor Agreement Office Hours
Healing Through Music: Nathaniel Blume releases a heartfelt tribute to his father’s memory with ‘nootbar’ EP
Recording Industry’s Music Performance Trust Fund Appoints Industry Veteran Greg Linn as New Trustee
Demand an End to the Government Shutdown
EUC Update: Feature Film Announcement
Entertainment Union Coalition Members Honored at AD51 Community Excellence Awards
Graduate Degrees for Union Families
Final Notes: Secretary/Treasurer Emeritus Serena Kay Williams, Ian Freebairn-Smith, Stephen Croes
Audition Notice: Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera
and more!

Browse our full Overture pdf archives here.

October 2025 Overture Online: SOLIDARITY WINS – Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Late Night

Inside This Issue:

Cover Story – SOLIDARITY WINS: Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Late Night
Voting at Next General Membership Meeting October 27: Special Election for Salary Review Board, Resolutions to Amend the Bylaws
Member Spotlight: Cleto Escobedo III
AFM Local 47 2025 General Election Updates: List of Nominees, Vote By Mail Absentee Ballot Request Form
LA Philharmonic Musicians Announce New Four-Year Agreement
Call to Action for Traveling Musicians Regarding P2 Visa Delays
Action Alerts: ‘We the People Are Rising’ March & Rally 10/4; Yes on Prop 50 Canvassing/Phone Banking; Food Bank Volunteers Needed
Esa-Pekka Salonen Returns to LA Phil as Creative Director
‘Labor in the Pulpit’ Celebrates Historical Bridge Between Labor and Faith
Entertainment Industry Flex Plan / Local 47 H&W Plan Health Care Update
Final Notes: James A. Hampton, Joe Soldo
Audition Notices: LA Opera, Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera
and more!

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September 2025 Overture Online: The Power of Song in the Labor Movement

Inside This Issue:

Cover Story – SOLIDARITY FOREVER: The Power of Song in the Labor Movement
AFM Local 47 2025 General Election: Nominating Petitions Due Sept. 15
Member Spotlight: Andy García
An Update on High-Budget SVOD/’Streaming’ Residuals
2024 Audit Report Now Available
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: Latinos in Music
Action Alert: Dodgers Tour Guides Deserve Fair Wages & Benefits
EUC Thanks Legislators for Keeping California Rolling
Voices of Libertad: A Campaign for Immigrant Justice Through Art
Travel More, Spend Less: Union Member Travel Perks — Exclusive Hotel Savings
Final Note: Joe Soldo
Audition Notice: Modesto Symphony Orchestra
and more!

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August 2025 Overture Online: Strategies to Future-Proof a Music Career in the AI Era

Inside This Issue:

Cover Story: Strategies to Future-Proof a Music Career in the AI Era
AFM Local 47 2025 General Election: Nominating Petitions Now Available
Member Spotlight: Susanna Hoffs
Congrats Local 47 2025 Emmy Award Nominees!
Results of Voting at July General Membership Meeting
Musicians Rally in Support of Stephen Colbert
2026 GRAMMY Awards Online Entry Period Now Open
Action Alert: Donate to Defend the NEA and Support the Arts
LA Fed Hosts Largest-Ever Non-Violent Direct Action Training
CA Labor President Lorena Gonzalez Appointed to Lead Efforts on AI, Automation, Worker Privacy
Union Membership = Affordable College Degrees
Audition Notices: LA Youth Orchestra, Modesto Symphony Orchestra
and more!

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