The Hospitality Suite

On this day (March 3, 2009) representative AFM members from across the U.S. are meeting with members of the House and Senate to lobby in support of the Performance Rights Act, H.R. 848 and S.379. Denver Local 20-623 members’ Bob Montgomery and Tom LeRoux are among the AFM contingent. This effort is made possible through contributions to the AFM’s Legislative Action Fund (formerly TEMPO).

Read more… Electronic Media, Legislative, National Discussion, Pete Vriesenga

Larry has established a worldwide reputation as an arranger, orchestrator, and innovative composer of contemporary music. He’s an accomplished keyboardist, saxophonist, oboist, vocalist and producer. His diverse background, talent and experience, make him the obvious choice to handle the heavy responsibilities of ‘Orchestral Music Director/Conductor/Arranger.’

Read more… Electronic Media, Feature/Interview, Labor, Local Discussion, Pete Vriesenga, Rock/Pop, Symphonic/Classical, The Denver Musician

The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) is a major player with respect to economic stimulus. SCFD currently distributes $40 million annually to arts and scientific organizations in seven metro-Denver counties. Recipients of these public funds are legally bound by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that currently sets Federal Minimum Wage at $6.55/hr. FLSA requirements, or even friendly reminders of the minimum wage obligation, have never been understood or acted on … until now.

Read more… Local Discussion, Pete Vriesenga, The Denver Musician

It wasn’t until 1938 that the 40-hr. work week, along with minimum wage guarantees, child labor protections and more, were signed into law with the passing of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Credit for this historic effort goes first and foremost to generations of workers who held out principle before their personal livelihood.

Read more… Labor, Legislative, National Discussion, Pete Vriesenga, The Denver Musician

“Right-to-Work” for less is slated for the November Ballot. It is as deceptive in name as its proponents: “A Better Colorado.” They claim that “Amendment 47 will strengthen Colorado’s economy, create jobs and make our State more competitive,” but nothing could be further from the truth.

Read more… Labor, Legislative, Local Discussion, Pete Vriesenga, The Denver Musician

The Vail Valley Music Festival is so flush with cash they’re importing FOUR very-pricey orchestras this summer: the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, to satisy the musical palate of this affluent community. But the music industry, like our State history, is a story of boom and bust. The mountain resort of Steamboat Springs is hoping to lure a few of Vail’s musical patrons with a local, Emerald City Opera production of La Traviata in August. Musicians will receive $360 and a room in payment for six rehearsals and two performances. They’ll do good to come home with fifty bucks in their pocket.

Read more… Local Discussion, Pete Vriesenga, The Denver Musician

Published in The Denver Musician, Summer 2008
By Pete Vriesenga
Religious Organizations are the nation’s second-largest employer of professional musicians - second only to Performing Arts Companies (Bureau of Labor Statistics). I have been a beneficiary of these work opportunities over my career, as have professional musicians around the world who are impacted by the remarkable history [...]

Read more… Feature/Interview, Pete Vriesenga, Symphonic/Classical, The Denver Musician

One Aurora Marine’s request that his mom send a guitar to him while he was posted in the Iraq desert resonated so deeply with other Colorado musicians that hundreds of guitars have been shipped - or soon will be - to waiting soldiers.

Read more… National Discussion

Sam Gill has appeared with jazz greats such as Max Roach, J.J. Johnson, Phineas Newborn, Paul Bley and Thelonius Monk. He has recorded with the likes of Randy Weston , Art Blakey and Max Roach, and is listed in the International Who’s Who in Music, Who’s Who Among Black Americans and Blacks in Classical Music. In 1955, Downbeat Magazine ranked Sam Gill above jazz icons such as Milt Hinton and Paul Chambers, etching Sam’s name into history as one of the “New Star’s” in jazz. This December, after 48 years as a member of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Sam Gill will retire from the orchestra after a rich and influential career.

Read more… Feature/Interview, Pete Vriesenga, Symphonic/Classical, The Denver Musician

“Some are just instruments that have just been lying around the house,” Pete Vriesenga with the Denver Musicians Association said. “Some are prized family collections…To have an instrument in your hands and just turn that fear or boredom into productive creation of music is really what this is about,” Vriesenga said.

Read more… National Discussion