volume 18 number 4 october 2017
the official journal of the calgary musicians association - local 547 a.f. of m.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION • P2 Visa Processing Delay Alert: Regular Processing: Submit your P2 package to the CFM at least 75 calendar days prior to the first performance. Premium Processing: Submit your P2 package to CFM at least 30 days prior to the first performance. US Immigration processing times are out of the control of the CFM and may increase or decrease at any time, without notice. The recommended submission timelines are based on observed average processing times. www.cfmusicians.org/services/ work-permits New P2 fee of $460 USD is now in effect.
• For equipment crossing the border, contact Canada Border Services Agency for an ‘Identification of Articles for Temporary Exportation’ form (Form BSF407). It must be filled out and stamped by the agency. This will make crossing back into Canada a little easier. Call 1-800-461-9999 for more info. www. cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-6-5-eng. html Musicians can also apply for an ATA Carnet, a document which enables professionals to bring the tools of their trade across borders easily and without ANNUAL DUES hassle, duties or border fees. For more info; www.chamber.ca/carnet/ RENEWAL
• For AFM members on the road, two important SEP. 1/17 - AUG. 31/18 phone #s are: 1-800-ROADGIG (762-3444) in the US FULL YEAR - $201.00 (paid in Oct) * and 1-800-INFOFED (463-6333) in Canada. These - $207.00 (paid in Nov)* numbers provide emergency help for members who - $213.00 (paid in Dec) * have contract disputes while on tour. HALF YEAR - $115.00 (Sep-Feb/15)* QUARTERLY - $60.00 (/Dec/Mar/Jun) * • The AFM offers access to Emergency Medical * must be remitted with WDBuyout declaration form Travel Insurance at preferred rates. Members under (full year includes $6.00 late fee per month) 55 may purchase an 18-day multi-trip annual plan Members who have not renewed are currently suspended. for $90.00 CDN on a guaranteed-issue basis. This VISA / MASTERCARD / INTERAC program is administered by CanAm Insurance in collaboration with HUB International. Coverage is underwritten by Manulife Financial. Please call (877) 292-0081 to make inquiries and to purchase a plan. GENERAL MEETING cma office • Stan Brown Benevolent Fund is available to #5 - 606 Meredith Rd NE members who find themselves in financial difficulty. (The DeWaal Block) Interest free loans are accessible by making th application to Chairman Dick Worton at 239-7807 or Tuesday Nov.28 @ 6:00 pm [email protected] Applications are strictly inancial eview confidential. F R calgary musicians page 2 october 2017
Work on the Songs
ne of the icons of rock ’n roll, Tom Petty, passed Oaway recently. He was a true icon of the genre, an important and enduring symbol of old school rock. We all have icons we relate to, either from the genre we most closely associate with, or perhaps a performer on our chosen instrument(s). One thing we all have in common is that we all play “songs.” We might call them different things - charts, symphony, lieder - but regardless of the length or form they take they are all music.
Petty firmly believed that success flows 90% from how well we present our material. And that depends as much on the quality of the material as much as how well we we prepare the material. Indeed it ’s possible to take something that may not be the most inspired piece of music and still “sell” it through consummate preparation and presentation. He thought that “Music is probably the only real magic I have encountered in my life. There’s Ma‐Me‐O Music not some trick involved with it. It’s pure and it’s real. it Professional moves, it deals, it communicates and does all these RECORDING STUDIO incredible things.” The most striking example of this (since1997)
for myself happened a few years ago when the CPO 780.361.3684 former music director, Hans Graf, took apart Beethoven Miles Jackson www.ma‐me‐o.com 5 in order to explain it to the audience. I don’t know if miles@ma‐me‐o.com he realized it but, even though I have probably played that piece more than any other, he was taking me and “ Doin’ it right on the Beach ” my colleagues to a completely deeper level. It was a total epiphany.
It can be a real challenge, particularly if you’re a mid- or late-career musician who has played all the “songs” There is Money in Music, several times over to find new inspiration or approach Let MROC Show You to presenting it once again. Perhaps we need to “free fall” into the music, as Petty did throughout his career, Where to bring success to our live and recorded product, no matter how many times we’ve played the material.Work The Musicians’ Rights Organization Canada (MROC) on the songs, members, work on the songs. is a Canadian not-for-profit organization that ROB MCCOSH, PRESIDENT distributes neighbouring rights and private copying [email protected] royalties to musicians and vocalists. 403.475.7531 These royalties flow from the commercial use of sound recordings and are based on various tariffs calgary musicians association musicalgary editors #5 - 606 Meredith Rd NE Doug Kuss/Karen Martin approved by the Copyright Board of Canada. Calgary, AB T2E 5A8 TOLL FREE: 1.888.796.8742 executive committee For more information on MROC, please visit: 24 hr/fax 403.264.6610 / 261.0783 Rob McCosh president www.musiciansrights.ca e-mail: [email protected] Kit Johnson vice president www.calgarymusicians.org Doug Kuss sec treasurer Toll free 1.855.510.0279 association hours Jim Scott, Mike Little, Jeremy 9 am - 4pm Monday-Friday Coates, Tricia Edwards october 2017 page 3
n the front page of this issue, the new Officers of the Association for 2018 THE ACTORS’ andO 2019 are listed. Again, we are short one officer. The incoming FUND OF CANADA Executive will now have to appoint a member to the Board. If there are any members who would like a turn at serving the membership, When illness, injury, or other calamity makes it impossible I encourage you to contact me with to work, independent artists are especially vulnerable. In your interest. I would like to thank the absence of substantial savings or a steady job, a small Mike Little for his time on the Board. amount of money can make the difference between survival Mike represented an important part of the membership, the and destitution. freelancer. His roles as an active musician, bandleader, Since 1958, the Actors’ Fund of Canada has helped thousands producer, songwriter and business owner have brought of performers and other performing arts professionals in a unique perspective to our discussions. I’ll speak for the financial crisis to get back on their feet after a major setback. Board and say we’ll miss his input. When musicians in need have nowhere else to turn, the Fund can intervene at a critical moment with a rent cheque, grocery On page 6 & 7 of the Musicalgary are the financials for the money, a subsidy for prescription drugs or other assistance. last fiscal year. They are in a new format and you’ll get a If you are ill, injured, or have suffered a financial catastrophe full picture of our funds at one glance. Unfortunately, we that puts your health, shelter or ability to work in jeopardy, experienced a loss this time around, but it was only half as contact the Fund for quick and confidential help. much as I had budgeted for. A complete report including The Actors’ Fund of Canada is a registered charity sustained notes are yours for the asking. by members of the performing arts professions. Assistance A couple of newsletters back I reported on the Alberta is provided without expectation of repayment, however Music Cities Initiative. I’ve been asked and have accepted donations are most welcome. a position on their Provincial Advisory Group. If you have For more information visit www.actorsfund.ca opinions on this initiative that you would like me to pass on to the rest of the group, drop me a line. For an overview of the project and the fertile Ground Report follow http:// albertamusiccities.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b 73053c577c3899d6e29afbc5&id=1ed6692027&e=b697 74c082
In mid-September, I travelled to Edmonton to participate in a labour rally protesting the non-payment of musicians showcasing during the Breakout West conference. Some bands and musicians, mostly headliners were paid while the rest weren’t. Even worse, Breakout West offered performances of these bands to commercial establishments; a practice that reinforces the attitude that performing music has no value. This is the opposite of what we stand for and When your show is live, it’s not a good direction for a stable music industry. We were supported by members of the Edmonton Symphony, high anything can happen. profile AFM Local 390 members as well as a contingency from the Alberta Federation of Labour. The fight continues. Insurance for professional musicians Equipment Coverage Liability Finally, I participated on the Tariff of Fees Review Committee. It was chaired by former CMA President, Gerry For CFM Members Hebert along with Dave Reid and Richard Scholtz. This Amy Lynne Armstrong CAIB Tel: 519-967-7922 year the Committee recommended no change to the tariff. Toll: 1-800-563-9441 [email protected] As always, your participation is important and appreciated.
hubinternational.com DOUG KUSS, SECRETARY TREASURER Business Insurance Employee Benefi ts Risk Services Personal Insurance [email protected] page 4 october 2017
Projects Approved (September)
Leader Location Date #Mscn
Johnny Summers William Aberhart School October 14 17 Johnny Summers Winston Churchill School November 24 16 Johnny Summers Heritage Christian Academy December 5 16
Requests for Project Funding (RFPF) are now being accepted for the new MPF allocation year, which ends April 30th, 2018. The Funds are now depleted for our local. Please contact the Sec-Treasurer with the details of your proposed project in the event that funds come available..
IN MEMORIAM hh Robert Wiens (drums) – received his Jazz Performance Diploma (With Distinction) in 2013 from Mt. Royal University JIM ENGLISH (Life Member), passed and his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies (With Distinction) away on October 1, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in 2015 from Capilano University. He has received various (Buffalo,NY), at the age of 82. Jim was a grants and awards including an Alberta Foundation musician and had a lifelong love of music. for the Arts Individual Project Grant for a three-month He played in many bands in Ontario, apprenticeship with John Riley at the Manhattan School Alberta, Buffalo and California. He was an of Music and the Agnes Peeble-Weweler Scholarship. For active member of the Masonic Lodge in more info, recordings, videos and photos visit London, Ontario and the Shriners Lodge in Calgary, Alberta. His passion was golf www.bobbywiens.com and was able to play year-round in Elma, New York and Palm Springs, California in the winter. He was an originator and inventor having patented several of his ideas. Jim was also a published author. He was very active in the musical department hh Michael Ayotte – is a pianist, originally from in his church in California. He was loved and respected by all who Fort Macleod, Alberta. His interest in music and were lucky enough to know him. As expressions of sympathy, composition is coupled with his interest in technology; donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Heart and Stroke synthesizers, MIDI, sequencers, samplers, Foundation of Ontario would be appreciated by the family. microphones and recording consoles. Between 2004 Visit www.henrywalser.com for the memorial. and 2011 Michael lent his hand to various projects in the Vancouver area, writing scores for student films JOHN HART - passed away peacefully on August 9, 2017 at the and video games, creating string arrangements for age of 83 years. John taught piano at the Mount Royal University conservatory, freelanced as a church musician and performed indie artists, and working as a session keyboardist. regularly as lounge pianist for the Delta Bow Hotel and the Some of the albums he’s played on are Shawn Hook - Highlander Hotel. Condolences may be shared through Both Sides, Rude City Riot - Nothin’ But Time and John http://www.evanjstrong.com/obituaries/John-Hart-26 Wort Hannam - Love Lives On (piano solo on Heart for Sale). In 2009, he released his first record of original material, a fully instrumental album titled Each New Moment (available on iTunes and Spotify). He began a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at The U of Lethbridge in 2012 and will graduate next Life Membership year. Since moving back in Alberta, Michael has been was recently awarded to Norbert Boehm, Tom involved in live theatre as both a musical director and Staples, Ben Neumann, Art Lapp and Karen composer for the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod Youngquist. (working on Anne of Green Gables, Nunsense, Chickens, The Wizard of Oz) and the Teenie Weenie Theatre in 25/50 Year Recepients: Waterton, AB. He’s performed as a keyboardist with 50 Year - Danise Ferguson, Wilcil McDowell, the Lethbridge cover band Fast Times, opening for Al Muirhead and Diane Valentine
welcome new members The Sheepdogs, Toronto, and Trooper, and most 25 Year - Edmond Agopian, Jann Arden, recently has joined Leeroy Stagger as a member of Janet Kuschak, Susanne Riberg-Gordon and his touring band. www.michaelayotte.com Mike Thomson. october 2017 page 5
NEWS BITS GPL COVERAGE - HUB INTERNATIONAL CMA winners at the CCMA AWARDS: Bandleaders and Solo Musicians! DRUMMER OF THE YEAR Don’t get caught without instrument insurance or General Public Ben Bradley STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR Liability (GPL) to cover you and your side-musicians on the job. If Mitch Jay you insure at least one instrument professionally, you’re eligible SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR to obtain GPL to cover you when performing publicly, or even Time - Dean Brody for private functions. GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR GPL only costs $50 per year ($1M Coverage) to AFM members, Matty McKay so you can’t affordnot to be properly insured as a professional SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT PLAYER OF THE YEAR musician! Denis Dufresne - Banjo TOP SELLING CANADIAN SINGLE OF THE YEAR We compiled the following list of REAL WORLD situations that Bush Party – Dean Brody have occurred in Canada, where GPL and instrument insurance 2017 CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME saved the band, bandleader, and musicians from having to pay ARTIST INDUCTEE thousands of dollars to settle lawsuits, not to mention lawyer’s Paul Brandt fees! Consider these scenarios that actually happened, and are APPLE MUSIC FANS’ CHOICE AWARD more commonplace every day: Dean Brody GROUP or DUO OF THE YEAR ^^A lead singer of a band was electrocuted by a faulty The Road Hammers microphone lead supplied by a bandleader. The singer was CMA winners at the YYC MUSIC AWARDS: badly injured and sued the bandleader for medical costs and loss of potential earnings. The singer was awarded over COUNTRY RECORDING OF THE YEAR JJ Shiplett - ‘Something to Believe In’ $100,000 in damages. MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR ^^A band was sued by a venue for causing damage to the JJ Shiplett parquetry floor by dragging their equipment over it when JAZZ RECORDING OF THE YEAR setting up. Repair costs exceeded $30,000. Al Muirhead – ^^A stage collapsed on the front row of an audience causing ‘Northern Adventures - The Canada Sessions Vol. 1’ ROOTS/FOLK RECORDING OF THE YEAR many injuries, some permanent. Damages from ensuing JJ Shiplett - ‘Something to Believe In’ lawsuits were over $1,000,000. The event organizer was SINGER/ SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR found partly liable and had to contribute at least 50% to Matt Blais - ‘Set Me Free’ the final payout. SINGLE OF THE YEAR ^^Several bands were playing at an arena, and the audience JJ Shiplett - ‘Something to Believe In’ started body-surfing during a performance. One body-surfer fell to the cement floor. The entire band (all musicians) on stage at that time was named in the lawsuit, and fortunately they all had GPL. Over $30,000 in damages was paid in full by the insurance company. ^^A band was setting up in a fancy venue and when removing a cabinet cover, knocked down an expensive antique chandelier. Electricians were called, and the owner of the venue sued the band for property damages of just over $10,000. ^^Of instrument claims, approximately 40% are from instruments lost through airlines, 40% general theft, and 20% to damages. Instruments are even fully covered when performing on cruise ships!
For more information on General Public Liability THE FIRST EVER TOP 7 OVER 70 WINNERS: and Instrument insurance, contact Amy Armstrong at Back, l-r: Alan Fergusson, Al Muirhead, Gerry HUB International: 1-800-563-9441, or email Miller, Don Seaman. Front, l-r: Vera Goodman, [email protected] Amin Ghali, Marjorie Zingle. This article was compiled by Ernie Kalwa, Local 226 page 6 october 2017
The following is an excerpt from the financial statements of the Association. The complete set of financial statements were subject to a review by Grant Thornton LLP which concluded on October 12, 2017 that based on the review, nothing has come to their attention that caused them to believe the financial statements are not, in all material aspects, in accordance with Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations. For a complete set of these financial statements, please contact the Association.
CALGARY MUSICIANS ASSOCIATION - LOCAL 547, A.F. OF M. Statement of Operations and Changes in Fund Balances (Unaudited) Year ended August 31 Contract Stan Brown General Guarantee Benevolent Total Fund Fund Fund 2017 2016
Revenues Annual dues $ 110,244 $ - $ - $ 110,244 $ 109,404 Work dues 104,259 - - 104,259 105,566 Permits / affiliation fees 9,189 - - 9,189 14,489 Administration fees 3,885 - - 3,885 3,151 Interest Income 926 - 5 931 3,456 Initiation - local 1,700 - - 1,700 1,650 - - Initiation - A.F. of M. 1,560 1,560 1,625 Advertising 1,180 - - 1,180 1,050 Reinstatement fees 1,155 - - 1,155 800 Other income 2,498 30 - 2,528 2,156 236,596 30 5 236,631 243,356 Expenses (Schedule) 240,658 - 1,000 241,658 240,271 (Deficiency) excess of revenues over expenses $ (4,062) $ 30 $ (995) $ (5,027) $ 3,085
Fund balance, beginning of year $ 151,159 $ 2,440 $ 14,672 $ 168,271 $ 165,186 (Deficiency) excess of revenue over expenses (4,062) 30 (995) (5,027) 3,085 Fund, end of year $ 147,097 $ 2,470 $ 13,677 $ 163,244 $ 168,271
Statement of Financial Position (Unaudited) August 31, 2017
Contract Stan Brown Guarantee Benevolent Total General Fund Fund Fund 2017 2016 Assets Current Cash $ 26,857 $ 2,470 $ 9,877 $ 39,204 $ 40,595 Short term investments 148,000 - - 148,000 148,000 Receivables (Note 3) 9,758 - 3,800 13,558 15,417 Prepaids 2,250 - - 2,250 2,877 Rental deposit 2,000 - - 2,000 2,000 188,865 2,470 13,677 205,012 208,889 Tangible capital assets (Note 4) 3,509 - - 3,509 4,386 Investments 117 - - 117 117 $ 192,491 $ 2,470 $ 13,677 $ 208,638 $ 213,392 Liabilities Current Payables and accruals $ 11,150 $ - $ - $ 11,150 $ 16,118 Prepaid dues 27,690 - - 27,690 23,010 Escrow deposits 6,554 - - 6,554 5,993 45,394 - - 45,394 45,121 Fund balance 147,097 2,470 13,677 163,244 168,271 $ 192,491 $ 2,470 $ 13,677 $ 208,638 $ 213,392 october 2017 page 7
Excerpts of Notes to the Financial Statements (Unaudited) August 31, 2017
Significant accounting policies These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations (“ASNPO”). Fund accounting
The Association follows the restricted fund method of accounting for contributions. The revenues and expenses related to the collection of unrestricted donations and fund raising activities are reported in the General Fund. The Stan Brown Benevolent Fund is used to make interest free loans, to a maximum of $1,000, to members whose work has been drastically curtailed by long-term illness or disability or members who find themselves in dire financial straits. The Contract Guarantee Fund is used to make interest free loans to members whose contracted engagements have been cancelled, terminated or unpaid. If the claim is uncollectible, the loan will be forgiven. No loan shall exceed $2,000 and the net payout from the fund in any fiscal year shall be limited to $5,000.A minimum balance of $2,000 will be maintained in the Fund. Other investment income earned on the restricted portions of the Funds are reported in the respective restricted fund.
Loans receivable – Stan Brown Benevolent Fund Balance Current Balance August 31 Year Doubtful August 31 Date of Loan 2016 Advances Repayments Loans 2017
March 2011 $ 1,000 $ - $ - $ (1,000) $ - April 2012 700 - - - 700 July 2015 1,000 - (1,000) - - June 2016 1,000 - (900) - 100 July 2016 1,000 - - - 1,000 January 2017 - 1,000 - - 1,000 July 2017 - 1,000 - - 1,000 $ 4,700 $ 2,000 $ (1,900) $ (1,000) $ 3,800
Schedule to the Financial Statements (Unaudited) Year ended August 31, 2017 Contract Stan Brown SCHEDULE OF EXPENSES General Guarantee Benevolent Total Fund Fund Fund 2017 2016 A.F. of M. - initiation $ 1,560 $ - $ - $ 1,560 $ 1,625 A.F. of M. - per capita 34,831 - - 34,831 34,833 A.F. of M. - work dues 16,245 - - 16,245 18,045 Accounting fees 4,494 - - 4,494 4,045 Amortization 877 - - 877 492 Awards 200 - - 200 830 Bank charges and other 4,443 - - 4,443 4,837 Computer maintenance 3,541 - - 3,541 42 Conventions 3,333 - - 3,333 4,043 Expense allowance – Committee’s 4,641 - - 4,641 4,840 Honorarium 6,825 - - 6,825 6,900 Insurance 2,206 - - 2,206 2,546 Legal fees - - - - 915 Loan loss provision - - 1,000 1,000 - Meetings 794 - - 794 1,597 Office equipment and repairs 881 - - 881 630 Office salaries and fees 118,328 - - 118,328 116,166 Office sundry 139 - - 139 202 Payroll burden 5,470 - - 5,470 7,502 Postage and courier 2,565 - - 2,565 3,699 Promotion 1,378 - - 1,378 1,478 Publications 1,628 - - 1,628 1,965 Rent and taxes 18,000 - - 18,000 17,045 Stationery and office supplies 3,818 - - 3,818 1,067 Telephone 2,921 - - 2,921 3,350 Utilities 1,540 - - 1,540 1,577
$ 240,658 $ - $ 1,000 $ 241,658 $ 240,271 page 8 october 2017
NEW MEMBERS AHN, Jaewon ...... 998-4174...... cello CALLANDER, Michael ...... 153-6022/874-9225...... trombone AFM HURRICANE RELIEF KIM, Hangyul ...... 717-919-4326...... violin McMURRAY, Louise ...... 403-348-9283...... horn The AFM has set up a link on their website ROBERTSON, Ian ...... 587-892-8966...... piano STAPLES, Sara ...... 587-899-0195...... Mezzo-Soprano for Hurricane Relief donations. WIENS, Robert ...... 917-371-3599...... drums YEE, Roberta ...... 241-0786/213-440-8278...... violin YOO, Hojean ...... 917-710-5792...... violin www.afm.org/hurricane-disaster-assistance RE-INSTATED CASE, Andrea ...... 403-991-1361...... cello Hurricane Relief Fund EMBREE, Tim ...... 560-9304...... trombone MAIER, Colin ...... 255-6749...... english horn/oboe c/o American Federation of Musicians SUPLEVSKA, Sanja ....403-0614-5887/675-0400...... violin SUTTER, Sandra ...... 560-0452...... gtr/pno/sax/vocals Attention: Nadine Sylvester RESIGNED IN GOOD STANDING 1501 Broadway, Suite 600 ATHPARIA, Colleen KRAUSS, Randy SHIER, Andrew BUSCHMEYER, Ralf LEACOCK, Tim SHORE, JR New York, NY 10036 CALIXTE, Patrice LEFEVER, Todd SHUSTACK, Flo DE CAEN, Kathleen MACIAK, Rob STOKES, Michael FONSECA, Tamara MACLEOD, Colin STUART, Conor GREGSON, William MACNEIL, Jordan THORSON, Garrett HALLAM, Ben NESTEROV, Lev TOUTANT, Paul HIGGINS, Patricia O’BRIEN, Mark WALKER, Paul KASPER, Janessa PLOMISH, Corinne WANG, Linda KHANI, Heidi RIDDELL, Connor WATSON, Ross
Need to Withdraw your Membership? Moving away, job relocation, music study or just taking a break from the music scene - then please ... ‘Resign in Good Standing’. Send us a letter or email [email protected]
Christopher Tilman Sandvoss Award Winning Maker Of Fine Violins, Violas and Cellos
"The tone of the violins was rich, full of character, consistent throughout the range of the instruments and powerful ... impeccable workmanship, beauty and artistry displayed in each of his instruments." Edmond Agopian Professor of Violin, University of Calgary
"Fine violas with a warm and sonorous sound." Gerald Stanick Professor Emeritus of Viola, University of British Columbia Professor of Violin and Viola, Vancouver Academy of Music
"An original and exquisite luthier ... not only do his instruments sound glorious, membership theyinformation are absolutely beautiful to look at." Shauna Rolston Professor of Cello, University of Toronto For inquiries call: 403.949.4194 By appointment only.
PO Box 603, Bragg Creek, AB T0L 0K0 [email protected] www.christophersandvoss.com