8/26/16
I. WE’RE BACK!
II. THIRD TIME NOT THE CHARM
III. CRITICAL STATUS FOR AFM PENSION
IV. EVENTS
…Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer
…The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’
scoring musician
…Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician
…Reporting issues the Musicians Union doesn’t dare to mention – National touring musician
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I. WE’RE BACK!
Again and again we’ve had our blog attacked by very
predictable sources, but each time we come back stronger.
This time is no different. We plan on again sending out a
post once a week, and should soon have the mailing in place.
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III. CRITICAL STATUS FOR AFM PENSION
In the last blog we mentioned that the pension was in critical status.
In case you’ve not yet gotten the info from the federation here is what
it says in part.
The ANNUAL FUND NOTICE is for the Plan Year ended March 31 2016.
Parts of this notice reflect the finances of the Plan as of March 31, 2015,
rather than March 31, 2016.
The plan’s funded percentage was 81.6% as of April 1, 2015
The Plan’s funded percentage as of April, 2016 will not be known
until the actuarial valuation for the most recent plan year, ending
March 31, 2017, is complete, but is estimated to be 76%
Funding percentage for the last available years:
April 1, 2013 – 86.9
April 1, 2014 – 85.7
April 1 2015 – 81.6
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NOTICE OF CRITICAL STATUS:
The Plan is considered to be in critical status because it
has funding or liquidity problems, or both. More specifically,
the Plan’s actuary has determined that the Plan is in critical
status because:
(i) the Plan was in critical status last year and, over the next
nine years, it is projected to have an accumulated funding
deficiency for the Plan year ending March 31, 2019 and
(ii) the sum of the Plan’s normal cost and interest for the year,
the present value of vested benefits of inactive participants
is greater than the present value of vested benefits of active
participants and over the next four years, the Plan is projected
to have an accumulated funding deficiency in the Plan year
noted above.
[EC: In other words: There are fewer putting in than taking out.
Membership, dues and work are all down.
HOW MANY?
The total number of participants and beneficiaries covered by
the Plan on the valuation date was 49,947 total.
of which
20,884 were current employees
13,555 were retired and receiving benefits
15,508 were retired or no longer working for an employer and
have a right to future benefits.
[20,884 active / 29,063 retired]
FUND REHAB
This is the fifth year the Plan has been in critical status. The law permits
pension plans to reduce, or even eliminate, benefits called “Adjustable
benefits” as part of a rehabilitation plan. On April 30, 2010, you were
notified that the Board had adopted a rehab plan (the “Rehabilitation
Plan”) that reduced or eliminated adjustable benefits. As of June 1, 2010
the Plan is not permitted to pay lump sum benefits (or any other payment
in excess of of the monthly amount paid under a single like annuity while
it is in critical status. If the Board decides further cuts are needed, you
will receive a mailing explaining the reductions.
Under current law, any reduction of adjustable benefits will not reduce
the level of a participant’s basic benefit payable at normal retirement, and
the reductions apply only to participants and beneficiaries whose benefit
commencement date is on or after June 1, 2010.
The board has not made any additional reductions since the adoption of
the Rehab plan.
WHAT CAN BE REDUCED
-Post-retirement death benefits/guarantees
-Early retirement benefit or retirement-type subsidy
-Benefit payment options other than a qualified joint-and-survivor annuity (QJSA)
-Post normal retirement age subsidy.
CRITICAL AND DECLINING STATUS
A plan is generally is in “endangered” status of its funded percentage is
less than 80 percent. A plan is in CRITICAL status if the funding
percentage is less than 65 percent. (other factors may apply)
The sponsor of a plan in critical and declining status may apply for
approval to amend the plan to reduce current and future payment
obligations to participants and beneficiaries.
A COUPLE OF CLEAR EXAMPLES
A) If a participant with 10 years of credited service has an accrued
monthly benefit of $600, the accrual rate for purposes of determining
the PBGC guarantee would be determined by:
1) Dividing the monthly benefit by the participant’s years of service
($600/10), which equals $60.
2) The guaranteed amount for a $60 monthly accrual rate is equal to
the sum of $11 plus $24.75 (.75 x $33), or $35.75
Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit would be $357.50
($35.75 x 10)
B) If the participant in Example I has an accrued monthly benefit of $200,
the accrual rate would be $20 (or 200/10). The guaranteed amount for a
$20 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $6.75 (.75 x
$9), or $17.75.
Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit would be $177.75
(17.75 x 10)
It is estimated that the fund will continue to be self sufficient for
another 20 years.
For more info contact the fund office at 1 (800) 833-8065 (extension
1311) or email them through the “Contact Us” link on the fund’s web site
(www.afm-epf.org).
You can receive a complete copy of the plan as well if you wish. See the
notice you should have received.
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IV. EVENTS
DEAN AND RICHARD
DEAN AND RICHARD are now at Culver City Elks the first
Friday of every month.
7:30pm-10;30pm,
11160 Washington Pl.
Culver City, 90232
310-839-8891
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LA WINDS JAZZ KATS 584
NO COVER, NO MINIMUM.
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at Viva Cantina
7:30-10:00.
900 Riverside Drive, Burbank.
Free parking across the street at Pickwick Bowl.
Come hear your favorite charts played the way they
should be.
We are in the back room called the Trailside Room.
Come on down. Guaranteed to swing.
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9/7/16
ASMAC ‘First WEDNESDAYS’ – September 7, 2016
An Evening with Composer, Arranger, Orchestrator
DAVE SLONAKER
What skills are needed for an orchestrator/arranger
in
Hollywood today? A Portrait of the Orchestrator/Arranger
as a Young (and now older) Man (with apologies to James
Joyce) Dave Slonaker plays and discusses an overview of
some of his orchestrations, arrangements, and compositions,
as well as his influences. He’ll dissect favorite scores from Ravel to
Elgar to Puccini to Holman that have influenced him as a film
orchestrator and Jazz arranger.
Slonaker, received a 2013 Grammy nomination for Best Large
Jazz Ensemble Album for his big band’s album entitled
“Intrada,” featuring his compositions and arrangements. He
has worked as an orchestrator and arranger for many of
today’s top composers including John Addison, David Bell,
Steve Bramson, Bruce Broughton, Danny Elfman, Joel McNeely,
Alan Silvestri, and Larry Rosenthal on such films as Oz the
Great and Powerful, Alice in Wonderland, Spider-Man, Air
Force One, and A Million Ways to Die in the West. He has
orchestrated, arranged, and composed music for many TV and
animation series’ including Jag, Murder, She Wrote, Star Trek:
Deep Space Nine and Voyager, and Tiny Toon Adventures.
Equally at home as a Jazz composer and arranger, his music
has been performed by such respected musicians as Clark
Terry, and the Woody Herman and Count Basie Orchestras, as
well as many others around the world. In Hollywood, his
versatility has been called upon to arrange and compose many
source cues for film and TV in diverse styles from big band to
string quartet.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Check-in & Network: 7:00 – 7:30 PM
Program: 7:30 -10:00 PM
Reservations encouraged — Walk-ins are welcome
$10 for Guests and Students
FREE for ASMAC & Local 47 members
Free parking
LOCATION: AFM Local 47 – Auditorium
817 Vine Street, Hollywood
Hollywood, CA 90038
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9/10/16
SFV Symphony Orchestra
Who: The San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra directed
by Maestro James Domine
What: Announces its five-concert 2016-2017 Concert Season
Where: Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center &Tutor
Family Center at Chaminade West Hills
When: Sept. 10, 2016, Nov.19, 2016, Jan. 21,2017, Mar. 18,
2017 & May 13, 2017.
Why: Continuing a decades-long tradition of performing
great music close to home.
Contact: Roberta Hoffman, publicist ([email protected])
www.sfvsymphony.com
Program information:
Sept. 10, 2016 – Tutor Family Center at Chaminade West Hills
Strauss: An der Schönen Blauen Donau
Beethoven: Symphony #7 in A major
Dvorak: Cello Concerto
Daniel Grab, violoncellist
Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen
Bronte Vlashi, violinist
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Other concerts in the series
Nov. 19, 2016 – Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center
Bizet: Carmen Suite #1
Bizet: Symphony in C major
Fernandez: Oboe Concerto
Francisco Castillo, oboist
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor, 1st mvt.
Thompson Wang, violinist
Jan. 21, 2017 – Tutor Family Center at Chaminade West Hills
Schumann: Manfred Overture
Mendelssohn: Symphony #3 in A minor (Scottish)
Belling: Music Madly Makes the World Go Round
Inaugural Performance
Cary Belling, violinist
Mar. 18, 2017 – Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center
Tuttle: By Steam or By Dream Overture
Inaugural Performance
Prokofiev: Symphony #1 in D major (Classical)
Ben-Haim: Pastorale Variée for Clarinet, Harp and Strings
Geoff Nudell, clarinetist
Beethoven: Romance for Violin and Orchestra
Domine: Frankenstein Fantasy
Ruth Bruegger, violinist
May 13, 2017 – Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center
Saint-Saens: Bacchanale from “Samson and Delilah”
Tchaikovsky: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in C major
Egizi: Orchestral Suite “In Memoria di Mio Padre”
Inaugural Performance
Programs subject to change
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9/11/16
THE PHIL NORMAN TENTET
One of the best bands today playing in the
tradition of
cool West Coast Jazz
Sunday September 11th
1:00pm to 4:00pm
SOho Reataurant & Music Club
1221 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-962-7776
Sunday September 18th
11:00am to 3:00pm
The Lighthouse Cafe
30 Pier Avenue
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-376-9833
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9/17/16
PRESS RELEASE 9/17/16:
MAKSIM VELICHKIN SOLO CELLO RECITAL
at the EDENDALE UP CLOSE Concert Series
at the Edendale Branch Library
in Echo Park.
2011 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
info (213) 207-3000
FREE ADMISSION
Concert in the Community Room
Free parking in the library lot (enter from Alvarado).
Saturday SEPTEMBER 17, 2016
Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
PROGRAM:
Solo cellist Maksim Velichkin
will perform works by
D. Gabrieli,
J. Dall Abaco,
J.S. Bach
and by Los Angeles composers
G. N. Gianopoulos,
Matthew Hetz,
Blair Whittington
Future concerts in this free series
at the Edendale Branch Library,
and more free concerts:
http://edendaleupclose.blogspot.com
Thank you for publicizing these concerts!
Jacqueline Suzuki
Curator
818 249 5108
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9/18/16
LA WINDS
at the
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Free Concert – Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Sunday Concert Series
We are honored to perform a concert for the fifth
consecutive year at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
– Sunday September 18, 2016
- 6:00 p.m. Bing Theater
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Works will include:
-Festival Overture – Dudley Buck
-Soldier’s Farewell – Charles Fernandez
-Tosca Fantasy – for Alto Saxophone and Band –
Lauren Wasynczuk, Alto Soloist
-Golden Age of the Xylophone
Dean Hinkley, Xylophone Soloist
-America the Beautiful, Arr. C. Dragon
Christina Kushnick Roszhart, Soloist
among others.
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9/21/16
Wed SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 at 12:10-12:40 pm
Free Admission Glendale Noon Concerts
Violinist Johana Krejci Thank you!
Jacqueline Suzuki
Curator, Glendale Noon Concerts
818-249-5108
On Wednesday September 21, 2016 at 12:10-12:40 pm
the Free Admission Glendale Noon Concerts will feature
violinist Johana Krejci and
pianist Harout Senekeremian
performing works by
Bach,
Milcho
Leviev and
Massenet
at the Sanctuary of Glendale City Church,
610 E. California Ave. (at Isabel St), Glendale, CA 91206.
For more information, email [email protected]
or call (818) 244- 7241.
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9/21/16
ASMAC presents Special Guest
Mike Post
@ CATALINA’s Jazz Club
Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016 – 11:30am
Mike Post…musician, composer, arranger and producer has
long been considered the most successful composer in
television history. Our luncheon program will cover Mike’s
amazing life and professional accomplishments with the
insight of Don Peake who has known him since he was 16.
Currently being scored under Post’s direction is the long
running “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”. Over the years,
his musical scores have marked dozens of popular TV
programs, notably “Law & Order”, “Law & Order Criminal
Intent”, “NYPD Blue” “The Rockford Files”, “Magnum PI”,
“HillStreet Blues”, “L.A. Law”, “The A-Team”, “Wiseguy”,
“Hunter”, “The Commish”, “Quantum Leap”, “Doogie Howser
MD”, “Blossom”, “Hooperman”, “The White Shadow”,
“Hardcastle & McCormick”, “Byrds of Paradise”, “News Radio”,
“Silk Stalkings” and “Renegade”. Theme songs from “The
Rockford Files”, “The Greatest American Hero”, “Hill Street
Blues” and “L.A. Law” all became chart topping records and
landed Post four of his five Grammy Awards. In 1996 he won
the Emmy for outstanding achievement in Main Title
composition for the critically acclaimed “Murder One”.
At 24, Post became Musical Director for “The Andy Williams
Show”…the youngest musician in TV history to hold such a
position. Later he returned to television as a producer for
“The Mac Davis Show”. He also began designing stage shows,
eventually putting together acts for artists like Dolly Parton
and Ronny Milsap. Yet Post’s most visible forte would be
composing dramatic music for television and film. In 1968 he
met veteran arranger/trombonist Pete Carpenter. Their initial
effort was for the TV show “Toma”, Stephen J. Cannell’s first
series. It launched the most important musical collaboration
and friendship of their lives. They followed up with “The
Rockford Files” (which became a Top 10 single and landed
them each a Grammy), “Baa Baa Black Sheep”, “Hunter” and
“Magnum PI”. Their partnership ended late in 1987 when
Carpenter died after a long illness. In 1989 Post worked with
the BMI Foundation to establish a Pete Carpenter Memorial
Fund to benefit young composers.
In addition to scoring, Post has continued to work as a record
producer and arranger. He’s contributed arrangements to
several Ray Charles LP’s, and produced, arranged and co
wrote (with Stephen Geyer) the Theme from “The Greatest
American Hero” which became a #1 record for singer Joey
Scarbury. In 1981, Post hit the Top 10 again with his own
recording of “The Theme from ‘Hill Street Blues’,” which
featured guitarist Larry Carlton.
_________________________________________________
Don Peake – a long time friend of Mike Post – is a multi
talented musician who has worked as a guitarist, arranger,
record producer, and film music composer. Starting his
professional musical career as a guitarist in 1961, when he
toured as lead guitarist with the Everly Brothers at the age of
21, playing in the U.S. and Europe for two years. Peake
returned to L.A. to establish himself as a recording musician,
and played for many of the legendary performers under Phil
Spector’s production including The Righteous Brothers –
“You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling”, Ike and Tina Turner – ”
River Deep Mountain High”, as well as recording with Mahalia
Jackson, Billy Preston, Cannonball Adderly, Marvin Gaye,
and Diana Ross.
Join us for a VERY entertaining day – and bring your questions!
Catalina’s Jazz Club
6725 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Wed., Sept. 21, 2016
11:30am – 2:00pm
Members/Students
$30.00
Non-Member/Guests
$40.00
Program Only
(Check-In at 12:30)
$10.00
Valet Parking: $4.00 Enter on McCadden
behind Catalina’s
CALL 818-994-4661 or visit ASMAC.org
Visit the ASMAC website – www.asmac.org See the new master class, luncheon and interview DVD’s in the ASMAC store Van Alexander, Ray Charles, Johnny Mandel, Jorge Calandrelli, Bill Ross, Jack Feierman, Jimmie Haskell, Conrad Pope, Chris Walden, Sammy Nestico and more. Download ASMAC luncheon podcasts, and check out the ASMAC blog
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You can read all previous offerings at:http://www.responsible47.com
UNTIL NEXT TIME,
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47