MPF Money Is Still Available

 

There is some remaining money in Local 75’s 2006 allotment from the Music Performance Fund (MPF).  Normally the co-sponsorship requirement for a MPF gig is 60%.  For in-school jobs, the co-sponsorship requirement is reduced to 25% (for Grades 6-12) and 10% (for grades K-5).  All the costs and percentages are based on the appropriate Local 75 scale.

The MPF is a non-profit fund whose mission is to expose the public to free performances by professional musicians, so there is never an admission charge for an MPF gig.  Also, its performances cannot be used to raise money, sell merchandise, or promote political or religious events.  For additional information, contact Secy.-Treas. John Kendeigh.

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Helping Other Musicians, Helping Ourselves

 

Thanks to all our members who contacted their state legislators regarding parking on the east side of the State Capitol for this year’s Music Under The Stars concert series.  We were granted approval to have the parking lot opened up on Sunday nights for our audience.  Despite the unexpected closure of the street just west of the Capitol for some unanticipated repair work relating to the new garden replacing the parking lot on the west side, and some stultifying weather this summer, the 60^th season of Music Under The Stars was another success.  Collective action works!

As we observe the one-year anniversary of Katrina, Kurt Bowermaster shared a letter he received from AFM President Tom Lee following the Katrina benefit he produced featuring his Party Gras Classic Jazz Band: “On behalf of the many musicians affected by the recent events in the Gulf Coast region, I want to thank you for your efforts in soliciting contributions for the Gulf Coast Relief Fund.  The generous donation of $1830, which will be matched by the AFM, comes at a critical time ... [I]t is terrific that the members of the Party Gras Classic Jazz Band went to the trouble of holding the benefit concert ... Again, thank you for leading this effort and please give me gratitude to everyone involved in this benefit concert.”

Members Section: Your Suggestions Wanted

 

Soon we will begin development of the Members section of our Local 75 web site www.dmmusicians.com.  If you have suggestions for content that would be useful to you, please contact us.  And if you haven’t requested your group’s publicity to be posted yet, just e-mail the webmaster at www.dmmusicians.com/profile.

 

One useful feature that will be added is an online directory of our membership.  Now you’ll have an easy way to check and see who is a member in good standing when you have the opportunity to hire or refer a musician.

 

The new printed version of the directory will be available in the next few weeks.  If you do not need the hardcopy, and prefer to use the online version (which will be kept current) please contact us so we can reduce our printing costs.  Same with the newsletter – if you would like it e-mailed to you, please let us know.

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Recitals

 

Tues. Sept. 12 – Clarence Padilla, clarinet

Sheslow Auditiorium, Drake University, 8 pm

Sun. Sept. 24 – Jennifer Wohlenhaus, oboe

Sheslow Auditiorium, Drake University, 2 pm

Sun. Oct. 8 – Amy Jenkins, clarinet

Martha Ellen Tye Recital Hall, Iowa State University, 4 pm

Sun. Oct. 15 – Kevin Schilling, Oboe

Martha Ellen Tye Recital Hall, Iowa State University, 4 pm

Sun. Oct. 15 – Susan Odem, Oboe

Upper Chapel, Central College, 4 pm

 

Des Moines Musicians’ Association

Local 75, American Federation of Musicians

5817 Walnut Hill Ave.

Des Moines, IA 50312