Im In! - for AFM International Executive Board

Pete Vriesenga
June 12th, 2010 No comments

Dear Friends and Delegates,
I write to you today asking for your vote and support for my candidacy for election to the AFM’s International Executive Board. Most of you know me as president of the Denver Local since 1995. Many also know me as an AFM officer who stands up and speaks up with researched opinions, [...]

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Special Election for Denver City Council, District 1

Pete Vriesenga
April 13th, 2010 No comments

Susan K. Shepherd has received the endorsement of the Denver Area Labor Federation. Ballots must be received by May 4, 2010. If you’re a resident of District 1, please get out and vote!

“I am proud to stand up for ALL working families in Denver City Council District 1. I am pleased to be endorsed by the Denver Area Labor Federation and the Teamsters Local 17. Having campaigned for political leaders like Joanna Conti against divisive figures like Tom Tancredo and having championed progressive causes like raising Colorado’s minimum wage, I am ready to serve my community in a meaningful way as the representative of District 1 on Denver’s City Council.”

Susan K. Shepherd
Candidate for Denver City Council District 1

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Internet Music Lessons and the Touring Musician

Steve Eulberg
April 11th, 2010 No comments

By Steve Eulberg

Like many musicians, I have found teaching to be the butter for the bread of performance. Truthfully, the balance between performing and teaching helps me survive as a working musician. I simply love sharing the music with public and private audiences, and equipping them to participate in the creative process.

When I began my private studio I was teaching unusual instruments (mountain and hammered dulcimers, mandolin, bowed psaltery, Irish Bodhran and African hand percussion) as well as guitar. This has turned out to be a good niche for my interests, skills and experience and led to my establishment of the annual Colorado Dulcimer Festival in Fort Collins, which just completed its 7th year. I am also on the road teaching at festivals across the US about once a month, which I link with performances to, from or near the festival region; in short, the life of a touring (and teaching) solo musician.

Read more… Electronic Media, National Discussion, The Denver Musician

Lone Tree Symphony’s taking much, giving little

Pete Vriesenga
February 6th, 2010 No comments

Every summer, residents of Lone Tree, CO and neighboring communities enjoy a free concert by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. These concerts are presented in Sweetwater Park by the City of Lone Tree, but this coming summer the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra(a volunteer community orchestra) will replace the CSO. A CSO file photo still adorns the Lone Tree Summer Concerts website, but now accompanies a July 24 listing for the LTSO.

Read more… Labor, Local Discussion, Symphonic/Classical

Open Letter to Senator Bennet regarding healthcare

thomas blomster
August 11th, 2009 4 comments

I’d like to tell you my personal story about health insurance, because it surely demonstrates that the current system of health care in the US is not working to the benefit of the people of this nation.

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Sign your band or ensemble as supporters of the Employee Free Choice Act

Pete Vriesenga
May 14th, 2009 No comments

Amy Brenneman and Esai Morales are among 47 popular performing artists speaking out on behalf of the Employee Free Choice Act in a dynamic new video. Please take a moment to state your support on behalf of your business, band or ensemble by filling out a declaration form and returning a copy to the Denver Musicians Association.

Read more… Labor, Legislative

An Open Letter to Senator Mark Udall

thomas blomster
May 1st, 2009 1 comment

I strongly encourage you to immediately endorse the Employee Free Choice Act. I fail to understand why you are not taking a firm public stand on the EFCA when you previously have co-sponsored the bill.

Read more… Legislative, Vice-President Thoughts and Actions

An Open Letter To Senator Michael Bennet

thomas blomster
May 1st, 2009 2 comments

I strongly encourage you to immediately endorse the Employee Free Choice Act. Two weeks ago I attended the town hall meeting held at the IBEW Local 68 offices.

Read more… Legislative, Vice-President Thoughts and Actions

Government and The Arts

Ken Davies
April 9th, 2009 1 comment

In the recent months since the Wall Street melt-down and subsequent bank bailouts, we saw a most surprising and refreshing public response involving the $50 million arts package part of the federal economic stimulus proposal. When the arts money appeared to have been eliminated from the stimulus, 85,000 people responded to the Americans For The Arts call to write to senators and congresspersons. Showing the significance of one aspect of American government, that it actually will respond to noise in great numbers, the arts package was put back into the stimulus.

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Read more… Composer's Notes - Ken Davies

“Canned Cleopatra” opens to over 300 protesters

Pete Vriesenga
April 1st, 2009 No comments

Hundreds of musicians and their union brothers and sisters formed picket lines and distributed leaflets in front of Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, in protest of Texas Ballet Theater’s canned music policy. Demonstrators inflated a giant rat balloon to draw attention to musicians’ concerns. Demonstrations were held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 27, 28 and 29, 2009 prior to the start of the company’s Cleopatra performances.

The ballet company outsourced its orchestra pit during last weekend’s performances of “Canned Cleopatra,” replacing musicians with a recording it made in China.

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Read more… Electronic Media, Labor, Legislative, Local Discussion, National Discussion, Symphonic/Classical