Officers

President, Francine Schutzman;
Vice President, Gary Morton;
Secretary-Treasurer, Robin Moir

Executive Board

Lance Elbeck
Mike Mullin
David Renaud
Sean Rice

Delegates to AFM Convention

Francine Schutzman
Robin Moir

President Emeritus

Glenn Robb

 

Office Staff

Administrative Officers:

Dan Blackwell

Marlene Morton

MPTF Coordinator: Glenn Robb

Website: Dave Poulin

DISCLAIMER

Your officers and editorial staff conscientiously screen all advertising submitted to the eNewsHarp. However, we cannot assume responsibility for product quality or advertising content, nor can your officers be held accountable for misrepresentations between side persons and leader/contractors.

Local 180 publishes the eNewsHarp on-line four times a year. In an election year, we also publish an election issue for members.

President’s Message

Francine Schutzman

A Time of Renewal

You all should have received an announcement saying that the officers and executive board of Local 180 were re-elected by acclamation in September. As we renew our vows — that is, take our oaths of office — in January, we will be thinking of you and thanking all of you for your confidence in the leadership of the Local. We will all do our best to serve you well.

This is also a time of renewal for our audiences. As we emerge from the pandemic that changed all of our lives, we’re all anxious to see full houses in our concert halls and at the many other places where our members play gigs. My own experience has been mixed: I’ve been to concerts this summer and fall that were completely sold out. I’ve also been to some excellent ones that should have been sold out but that were perhaps half full.

It is incumbent upon all of us to help rebuild our audiences. How can we do this? Believe me, I know how easy it is to say that our only job is to play our best, while it’s the manager’s or the promotor’s or the organizer’s job to sell tickets. But we can help. The easiest way is to spread the word about upcoming events. Tell your friends and neighbours. Invite them to a concert or two and hope that they’ll get hooked enough on live music to buy their own tickets in the future. If you’re on social media, go to the event website and just click on “share” to let everyone know what you’re involved in. Do this not just on the day of the concert or gig, but enough ahead of time so that people can plan their activities.

The world is full of extraordinary challenges these days. But we all know what effect live music can have on the psyche. Let’s all help as many people as possible enjoy what we have to offer by helping to build our audiences. This is also an investment in the future of live music, and isn’t that why we’re all here?

If you have friends who have not yet renewed their membership in the AFM, or who have never joined, we hope that you will encourage them to do so. We have all seen what can happen when live music comes to a halt. Age and infirmity can also bring someone’s career to an end. Wouldn’t it be nice to have an AFM pension to make your post-career life a bit easier? And wouldn’t it be good to have your music protected while you are still playing? Becoming an AFM member and filing a contract for each gig will help you meet those goals.

Speaking of post-career lives, in this issue of the eHarp we are focusing on two long-serving members of the National Arts Centre Orchestra who retired in July. I hope you enjoy reading about Elaine Klimasko and Liz Simpson.

We live in challenging times, what with wars, climate change, famine, natural disasters, intolerance and a myriad of other depressing events. As we approach the beginning of a new year, let us all hope for better times to come. And if our music can brighten some lives along the way, we all benefit.

All the best to all of you for 2024.

Francine

Rapport de la président

Période de renouvellement

 

Vous devriez tous avoir reçu l’annonce de la réélection par acclamation des membres du conseil exécutif de la Section locale 180 en septembre dernier. Alors que nous renouvelons nos vœux – c’est-à-dire, que nous prononçons notre serment d’entrée en fonction – en janvier, nous penserons à vous, et nous vous remercierons de votre confiance en notre gestion de la Section locale. Nous ferons de notre mieux pour bien vous représenter.

Le temps est aussi venu de renouveler nos auditoires. Alors que nous sortons d’une pandémie qui a changé nos vies, nous avons tous hâte de voir des salles de concert combles dans tous les endroits où nos membres s’exécutent. Ma propre expérience a été mitigée : au cours de l’été et de l’automne derniers, j’ai connu des concerts à guichet fermé. J’ai également connu d’excellents concerts qui auraient dû être combles mais qui étaient remplis seulement à moitié.

Il nous incombe à tous d’aider à renouveler nos auditoires. Comment pouvons-nous y arriver? Croyez-moi, je sais combien il est facile de dire que notre seul rôle est de s’exécuter le mieux possible, et qu’il revient au gestionnaire, au promoteur ou à l’organisateur de vendre des billets. Cependant, nous pouvons faire notre part. La façon la plus simple consiste à passer le mot sur les activités à venir. Parlez-en à vos amis et à vos voisins; invitez-les à un concert ou deux dans l’espoir qu’ils deviendront suffisamment accros de la musique en direct pour acheter leurs propres billets à l’avenir. Si vous êtes sur les médias sociaux, visitez le site Web de l’activité et cliquez simplement sur « partager » afin de faire connaître les activités auxquelles vous participez. Il importe de faire cette démarche non seulement le jour du concert ou de la prestation, mais assez longtemps d’avance pour permettre aux gens de planifier leurs activités.

De nos jours, le monde est rempli de défis extraordinaires. Toutefois, nous savons tous l’effet possible de la musique en direct sur le mental. Aidons autant de personnes que possible à apprécier ce que nous avons à offrir en prêtant main-forte pour bâtir nos auditoires. C’est aussi un investissement dans l’avenir de la musique en direct, notre raison d’être, n’est-ce pas?

Si vous avez des amis qui n’ont pas encore renouvelé leur adhésion à l’AFM, ou qui n’y ont jamais adhéré, nous espérons que vous les encouragerez à le faire. Nous avons tous été témoins des conséquences éventuelles lorsque la musique en direct s’arrête. L’âge et l’infirmité peuvent aussi mettre fin à une carrière. Ne serait-il pas agréable d’avoir un régime de retraite de l’AFM pour alléger votre vie postcarrière? Et ne serait-il pas intéressant de protéger votre musique alors que vous êtes encore un artiste exécutant? En devenant membre de l’AFM et en déposant un contrat pour chaque prestation, vous réussirez à atteindre ces objectifs.

Et, en parlant de vies après la retraite, le présent numéro du eHarp se concentre sur deux membres de longue date au sein de l’Orchestre du Centre national des Arts qui ont pris leur retraite en juillet. Nous espérons que vous prendrez plaisir à connaître Elaine Klimasko et Liz Simpson.

Nous traversons une période remplie de défis attribuables aux guerres, au changement climatique, à la famine, aux catastrophes naturelles, à l’intolérance et à une myriade d’autres situations déprimantes. Alors qu’une nouvelle année approche, gardons tous espoir de jours meilleurs. De plus, si notre musique peut enjoliver des vies en cours de route, ce sera tant mieux!

Nous vous souhaitons tous plein de succès en 2024.

 

Francine

Secretary Treasurer’s Message

Robin Moir

Welcome 2024!

Dear Members,

Here we are, about to welcome 2024!

The Executive Board was reelected by acclamation at the general meeting in September, and I personally want to thank the membership for the confidence that you have shown us. We do work hard to ensure that all of our members are represented fairly and that we do whatever we can to encourage the work and the filing of contracts, thereby ensuring that members’ pension contribution contributions continue to grow.

The past three years have seen dramatic changes in the world, and that of course encompasses our members and our Local. Like many Locals in North America, Local 180 was rocked financially by the pandemic onslaught, and frankly, in the financial climate in which we find ourselves, the Local is continuing to struggle.

Although we are closing in on higher membership numbers, we are at 606 at the time of this writing, and that still finds us behind 700-plus members in 2019.

We have worked hard and successfully to bring MPTF numbers up, and that means that we have been able to provide work for our members, which is a positive outcome. And I have to digress here, but we have heard (though secret channels) that our livestreams are some of the finest in North America. That means cheers for Mike Mullin, Dave Poulin, and YOU!!

The Board has looked carefully at the financial situation, and we would like to propose that, as allowed by Article 6, Section 10 of our Bylaws, the annual dues be raised ten (10) dollars for 2024. This will be brought to the membership for ratification at the December 4th general meeting.

We have welcomed many of you to our new office. It is so wonderful to have members stop by for a visit and drop off contracts. Please feel free to come by whenever you have the chance.

I want to thank the board members for the work they do to help the Local stay strong.

I want to thank Francine for her support in everything that the Local is working on in our musical community.

I want to thank Dan for his work in the local office and the dedication that he brings to the job.

And I want to wish you all a very wonderful holiday season, a Merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy New Year.

Robin

Rapport de la secrétaire trésorière

Bienvenue, 2024!

À tous les membres,

Nous voilà sur le point d’accueillir 2024!

Le conseil exécutif a été réélu par acclamation lors de l’assemblée générale en septembre, et je remercie personnellement les membres de la confiance qu’ils nous ont témoignée. Nous travaillons ardemment à veiller à ce que tous nos membres soient représentés équitablement et à faire notre possible pour favoriser le travail et l’enregistrement de contrats, assurant ainsi la croissance des contributions au fonds de retraite.

Le monde a connu d’énormes changements au cours des trois dernières années, lesquels englobent évidemment nos membres et la Section locale. Comme plusieurs sections locales en Amérique du Nord, les assauts de la pandémie ont secoué la Section locale 180, et franchement, à la lumière du climat financier actuel, la Section locale connaît un combat permanent.

Bien que nous terminions l’exercice avec un plus grand nombre d’adhésions, soit 606 membres au moment de rédiger ces lignes, nous sommes encore en dessous des 700 membres et plus inscrits en 2019.

Nous avons travaillé ardemment et nous sommes parvenus à augmenter la caisse de retraite des musiciens (MPTF). En conséquence, nous avons réussi à faire travailler nos membres, ce qui représente un bilan positif. J’ouvre ici une parenthèse, car nous avons entendu dire (par l’entremise de canaux secrets) que nos diffusions en temps réel sont parmi les meilleures en Amérique du Nord. Cela mérite des applaudissements pour Mike Mullin, Dave Poulin et VOUS!

Le conseil a examiné attentivement notre situation financière, et nous vous proposons que, comme le permet l’article 6, section 10 de nos Règlements administratifs, les cotisations annuelles de 2024 soient augmentées de dix (10) dollars. Cette proposition sera présentée aux fins de ratification à l’assemblée générale du 4 décembre.

Nous avons accueilli plusieurs d’entre vous à notre nouveau bureau. C’est vraiment merveilleux lorsque des membres nous rendent visite et déposent des contrats. N’hésitez pas à nous visiter dès que vous en avez l’occasion.

Je remercie les membres du conseil pour le travail qu’ils font afin d’aider la Section locale à demeurer vigoureuse.

Je remercie Francine pour son appui envers tout ce que la Section locale accompli dans notre communauté musicale.

Je remercie Dan pour le travail qu’il effectue au bureau de la Section locale et pour le dévouement dont il fait preuve.

Je souhaite aussi à tous une magnifique saison des Fêtes, un Joyeux Noël et une nouvelle année remplie de joie et de santé.

Robin

Click on a poster to open the corresponding event page on Facebook

In addition to our regular schedule of livestream and live only concerts, the MPTF (Music Performance Trust Fund) is providing special funding this year for a Christmas series – the 12 days of Christmas!

Congratulations to our local Ottawa musicians

who have been nominated for Canada’s

Maple Blues Awards:

Angelina Hunter, who is in the running for best new group with the other members of her trio,  Sandy Hunter and Adam Bell

Tony (D) Diteodoro (best guitarist) and his Monkey Junkband mates Steve Marriner (for best male vocalist and best harmonica player) and Matt Sobb (best drummer)

Angelique Francis, nominated for entertainer of the year and bassist of the year

Sue Foley, in the lifetime achievement category for the Blues with a Feeling Award, as well as for electric act of the year and best guitarist

Susie Vinnick, for acoustic act of the year

 

Vote for your favourites now at maple blues.ca. The awards ceremony will be held at Toronto’s Phoenix Theatre on February 12th. Good luck to all!

NACO Brass Sens Hockey game with Pinchas Zukerman. 2015

Profile: Elizabeth Simpson

Originally from Ottawa, Elizabeth Simpson feels very lucky to have had such a long and exciting career performing with an orchestra she has admired for most of her life.

Close to the end of high school, Elizabeth (Griffiths) Simpson decided to do a degree in music education at the University of Ottawa, with horn as her main instrument. She went to the office of Madame Gay, who was the administrator of the Ottawa U Music Department when it was located in a former police building at the corner of Nicholas and Stewart Streets. Madame Gay asked if Liz had attained a Grade 8 RCM exam on the French horn. When Liz said that she hadn’t, she was told that she couldn’t study music at the university. Discouraged, she started walking down the long hallway to the exit.Then she heard Madame Gay calling her back, asking if she could do ANYTHING ELSE?? When Liz explained that she had grade 9 piano, she was permitted to audition for the music program.

You see, Liz had never had a horn lesson until a few months before she started university. She had played trumpet — again with no lessons — until her band director switched her to horn in grade 10. When asked how on earth she managed without lessons, she shrugged and said, “Well, I just played.” Luckily, Dan Gress, at that time Principal Horn with the NAC Orchestra, was teaching at Ottawa U. He was Liz’ teacher throughout her undergrad degree. Then she went to Indiana University for a master’s degree in performance. There she worked with the famous Philip Farkas, who had played with several of the Big Five orchestras in the US, as well as Meir Ramon, Principal Horn of the Israel Philharmonic, and Michael Hatfield, Principal Horn in Cincinnati.

She was obviously a fast and talented learner, as not long after finishing university, Liz started playing extra with the NAC Orchestra. She moved around the section as a utility player. In 1992 she became the Fourth Horn, which later became a Regular Additional Musician, or RAM, position, with a partial-year contract. In 2011, after playing three one-year contracts as Second Horn, she won that position and remained in the job until she retired in July, 2023.

Liz had been considering retirement for a while, as the nature of the job had changed during and after Covid, leaving her feeling less inspired and invigorated. After 39 years, she finally decided that it was a good time to leave the orchestra. A few weeks after she retired, Liz taught for the first time at a one-week intensive camp at CAMMAC. This experience renewed her love of music. She had a great time and a great deal of respect for the adult amateurs at the camp. This intelligent and fun group of people changed Liz’ attitude towards continuing to work in music — not that she was planning to give it up entirely.

Liz continues to teach the horn. She has about 16 students, ranging in age from 13 to 75 years old, and still practices daily so that she can demonstrate for her more advanced students. Liz is also continuing another love — working for the NAC/Lotus Centre’s Music Circle Program.

Twelve years ago, the NAC partnered with the Lotus Centre for Special Music Education.The Music Education Department needed someone to collaborate with Dr. Erin Parkes, founder and executive director of the Lotus Centre. Enter Liz. The NAC wanted to create a more inclusive environment, and wanted to help the special-needs community feel welcomed. Erin and Liz created the Music Circle, in which children, teens, and adults with various challenges discovered the joy of music through orchestral instruments.

CAMMAC Horns August/23
Music Circle Workshop

The formula for this program is three workshops, which present one family of the orchestra at a time (Strings, Winds, Brass, or Percussion), followed by an adaptive concert. There are a number of these series each year, depending upon various factors, especially as we emerge from the pandemic. Unlike most programs, which are taught by special music educators, these workshops are taught by professional orchestral musicians. This adds freshness to the experience, and also a high level of musicianship and passion, all of which is inspiring to the participants. Often, participants who have attended a Music Circle series will start coming to the children’s concerts presented by the NAC Orchestra. The top balcony of Southam Hall is reserved for groups such as the Lotus Centre and other charitable organizations.

Liz has also had the great pleasure of co-presenting the Music Circle at several conferences, including the International Society for Music Education conference in Salzburg, in 2018, the OCSM conference in Hamilton, ON in 2019, and the Orchestras Canada conference in Ottawa, also in 2019.

Liz has been on the board of directors for the Lotus Centre for the last four years; she described this as “a fantastic learning experience”. Apart from the general board responsibilities, like dealing with governance and budgets, she is responsible for contributing time to fundraising events and projects.

One might think that these activities would be enough to keep Liz busy, but that is just the beginning.This will be her third year organizing the bake sale for the NAC Orchestra’s annual FanFair, to be held this year on December 10th in the lobby of the NAC. She is also enjoying gardening, fitness, and dance classes in her free time. However, the best thing about retirement for Liz is the ability to spend more time with her two daughters, something she was unable to do as much as she liked with the busy orchestra schedule.

Liz says that retirement is under-rated, and like any other phase of life, it requires imagination and planning. She says to think of it as a time to do what you’ve wanted to do for years, and if some of that time can be spent giving back to others, so much the better.

 

NACO Horns at Carnegie Hall April/22

We encourage all of our members to join PAL (palottawa.org)

Please see their website and the March eNewsHarp for details about the organization and the planned residence for members of the arts community. It is not too soon to sign up for affordable housing for retirees, even if you are not sure that you’ll need it. And if you are not close to retirement, your membership will help the organization to focus on the needs of our community.

Elaine Klimasko was the earliest of early bloomers. Growing up in Hamilton, she started playing the violin at the age of four. It helped that she had two older sisters who also played the instrument. They had graduated to one-quarter-size violins, so Elaine got their one-eighth- size violin. She started piano lessons at around the same time. By the time a fourth sister started violin, every Saturday was spent with the four girls being driven at the crack of dawn to Toronto, where they had lessons with John Moskalyk, then chamber music, than orchestra. All four girls were on full scholarships. Elaine said that she really didn’t enjoy those Saturdays because she missed all of her friends’ birthday parties!

When she was ten years old, what Elaine really wanted was a pretty dress. Instead, she was presented with the very fine violin that she played throughout her entire career. She would have outgrown the dress, but she wound up being quite fortunate to have had that violin, feeling that it helped her advance. We dare say that her talent probably played a large role as well!

Elaine is a well-known violinist in Ottawa. How many of you knew that she had also played the bassoon? This was in high school, where there was a band but no orchestra, as was typical in those days. Elaine had started out on the French horn but quickly gave that up because she has perfect pitch and couldn’t reconcile what she saw on the page with what she heard. She was continuing with her violin and piano lessons the entire time. She attained a grade ten level in piano.

Elaine didn’t go to university because she was busy performing: at the age of eighteen she spent a year, along with her sister Nadia, touring all over North America with the National Ballet of Canada, under the direction of George Crumb. By this time she was studying with Leonard Fenyves in Toronto. When he heard of a new orchestra being formed in Ottawa, he encouraged Elaine to audition for it. So there she was, playing in the NAC Orchestra from its first season starting in the fall of 1969 until she retired in July, 2023. She was nineteen years old when she joined the orchestra, and she remains the youngest person ever to have done so.

During her tenure with NACO, Elaine played under a variety of music directors. Each had their strengths, she says, but she particularly enjoyed Pinchas Zukerman because of his great knowledge of the violin. She enjoyed the orchestra tours immensely, finding it a terrific experience to have played in some of the world’s finest concert halls. She feels that she is the luckiest person in the world to have played such fine repertoire. She did take one break: she had long had a dream to study with the great Josef Gingold, so she took a sabbatical leave in the 1979-80 season to work with him at Indiana University.

Elaine remembers particularly the following highlights of her 54-year career with the orchestra:

— Her first concert in Carnegie Hall. From a very early age, she heard her father say repeatedly that to perform in Carnegie Hall was the greatest achievement a violinist could attain.

— The sabbatical year at Indiana, when she had the opportunity to be concertmaster of the university orchestra and to play such amazing works as Ein Heldenleben.

— Playing a concerto with the NAC Orchestra because she had been chosen as a finalist for the CBC Competition

— Playing chamber music, often with great pedagogues such as Janos Starker, Jose Gingold, and Bernard Greenhouse, at Indiana University and through NACO

— A very moving concert in Leipzig at the time of Germany’s reunification

Elaine is a well-respected teacher not only in Ottawa, but nationally. She has been invited to adjudicate at music festivals all over the country. She started teaching in 1970, shortly after she joined the orchestra, with a few students. She is still teaching now. At last count, she had some 38 former students who became professional musicians! She was part of the faculty at NACO’s Young Artist Program for several years. More recently, she has subbed for Timothy Chooi at Ottawa U, and she taught a repertoire class there.

Elaine and her husband Ed will be spending part of this winter in Florida, where they have owned a condo for some years, with Elaine joining Ed there when her schedule allowed. She will continue to teach remotely from there, but she has also done something that has brought enjoyment to many people. There are 21 buildings in the condo complex, and Elaine has given master classes for the people who live there, with as many as 200 people attending. The students have included members of the Sarasota Orchestra as well as a few of Elaine’s own students who happened to have been visiting Florida. So if any violinists reading this are planning a trip south, be sure to let Elaine know, and you, too, could benefit from her wisdom and experience!

Elaine at the age of six or seven, after having won multiple classes at a music festival, and after having been kicked in the eye by a boy playing on the gym equipment.

Elaine, second from the left, sits between two of her sisters at her Ukrainian church’s orchestra, complete with accordions.

LIVE MUSIC WORKERS FUND

After receiving an unprecedented number of applications of the Live Music Workers Fundwe reopened the application.

Since the official application launch we have received thousands of submissions, making it very clear that our industry is in great need of this help. We are so proud and appreciative of the work you and your organizations have all done and continue to do to ensure that everyone in the Canadian Live Music Industry has access to this funding. While the  pandemic may appear to be over, it continues to negatively impact the livelihoods of people in our community. 

Attached (below) is the step-by-step guide to the application in English and French, which includes the link to the application.

Détails de l’application étape par étape

Attend in-person LOCAL 180 GENERAL MEETING

Monday, September 11th @ 12:00 p.m.

If you know ahead of time that you’re attending in-person, please notify dan@ma180.org so we know how much pizza to order.

Relief Fund Alive and Well

The Relief Fund was established by Local 180 to help those musicians most greatly affected by the pandemic. Thanks to the generous donations made by our own members, with a special shout-out to the musicians of the NAC Orchestra, we plan to maintain the Relief Fund and to add to it. The pandemic may appear to be over, but its effects will linger for a long time, and one never knows what is around the corner. So here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

If you need assistance, or if you are aware of a fellow member who needs it, send a message to Robin. We do not ask those who need funds to justify the need or tell us what they will be used for. We assume that if you ask for help, you genuinely need it.

If you are in a position to do so, please contribute to the fund. You might need to tap into it some day yourself.

 

IN-PERSON GENERAL MEETING

Monday, December 4th, 12:00 PM

Please let Dan know (dan@ma180.org) if you will be attending so that we know how much pizza to order.

OBITUARIES

Peter Turner and Kyle Jordan

WEBSTER, Peter 

March 27, 1944 – September 16, 2023 

Surrounded by the love of his family, Peter Webster passed away peacefully at his Garden Terrace residence on Saturday, September 16, 2023. 

Beloved husband of 56 years to Sandra (née Wyness), father to Gordon (Katie) and Michael (Jessica). Brother to Barrie (Phyllis) and Sylvia (Edwin). Grandfather to Marcus, Charlie, Brynn, and Clara. Uncle to Behan (Cheryl-Ann), Glenys (Paul), Jill, Jen (Cam) and Mike (Christine). Great-Uncle to Oscar, Max, Kalli, Caius, Mia, Addie, Everett, Elsa, Easton, and Edison. 

Peter was born in North Vancouver to parents Beatrice “Betty” (Allport) and Godfrey Stephen “Steve” Webster. During his early childhood, the family moved to Kelowna, BC, which would remain Peter’s home throughout his growing up years. Music was always an integral part of the family life – no surprise that Peter studied piano, reaching an accomplished level, and viola. Forming a string quartet which met weekly and would perform throughout the Okanagan Valley, Peter’s exploration of, and immersion in, the vast string repertoire would lay the foundation for a lifetime of musical growth, discovery, and expertise. 

Upon graduating from Kelowna High School, Peter moved to Vancouver, embarking on a B. Mus. degree program at the University of British Columbia, where he met his future wife Sandra. During these years of study, Peter played with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the CBC Radio Orchestra. He spent two summers studying viola in Aspen, Colorado, with renowned musicians, and worked as a steward on the Prince George cruise ship from Vancouver to Alaska. 

Peter and Sandra married in 1967. In 1969, he attended the summer session at Indiana University, where he later completed his M. Mus. degree in viola performance under the tutelage of David Dawson. 

In 1972, Peter won a position in the viola section of the National Arts Centre Orchestra and relocated to Ottawa. He would continue to perform with the NACO for 41 years and would serve as the orchestra’s Personnel Manager for 35 of those years. 

In 1976, Peter co-founded the Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra, along with Brian Law, John Gomez, and John Gazsi. 

Peter contributed to concert programming and acted as principal violist, personnel manager, and librarian for this vibrant group from its inception until 2016. 

Peter’s creative and artistic gifts extended to his passion for photography and gardening. His energy and zest for life was boundless! He was a devoted family man who loved nature, the outdoors, and water sports. He had a sense of wonder about the world and its cultures that he imparted to his children. 

On tour with the NACO, he developed a reputation as an avid explorer, hiker (“Mountain Goat”), and lover of food, including a dedication to sampling local cuisine (no matter how spicy!). 

Peter’s charismatic presence was infectious. He exuded warmth and kindness, which along with his gentle spirit, helped anyone he encountered feel at ease. His sharp wit and unique sense of humour would often leave family and friends in stitches. 

Peter’s persistence, loyalty, sense of duty, and decency remain at the centre of the legacy he passes along to his sons and their respective families. He remains deeply cherished as a husband and father who will be greatly missed. 

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR ASSISTANCE

LOCAL 180 RELIEF FUND

With the support of the friends, family and fans of the membership of the Musicians’ Association of Ottawa-Gatineau, the Local established this fund to assist the music community impacted so deeply by the pandemic. It is a fund created by musicians for musicians. For more information email: robinmoir@ma180.org

UNISON BENEVOLENT FUND

The Unison Benevolent Fund’s mission is to help professional music-makers in times of hardship, illness or economic difficulties. Unison provides a vital lifeline for members of the Canadian music community; and due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for Unison’s counselling and emergency relief services has never been greater.

Unison Benevolent Fund CLICK HERE

SOCAN RELIEF FUND

SOCAN Foundation announces the launch of the SOCAN Foundation Relief Fund for SOCAN members during the COVID-19 pandemic. “While SOCAN members are quarantining, the SOCAN Foundation offers this program to provide some financial support to music creators and publishers to get through these unprecedented times. This new fund is open to all SOCAN members who have earned more than $500 in royalties in the four most recent SOCAN distributions. www.socanfoundation.ca

ACTORS’ FUND OF CANADA

Over the years many of our members have turned to the Actors’ Fund of Canada, which has been in existence since 1958 and disburses over $500,000 annually to cover necessities for members of all the many and various trades and professions that make up the entertainment industry, including musicians. Common requests include: Rent or mortgage, Grocery costs, Medical costs, Emergency dental costs, Utility bills Dues (maximum of one year’s worth of dues; no initiation fees)

Childcare expenses https://afchelps.ca/get-help/

https://afchelps.ca/covid-19-guide/

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA’S COVID-19 ECONOMIC REPSONSE PLAN
Support for individuals

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#individuals

Support for Independent production companies

We are creating the Short-Term Compensation Fund initiative to compensate independent production companies for the lack of insurance coverage for COVID-19–related filming interruptions and production shutdowns in the sector.The fund will make as much as $50 million available for the industry.

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#industry

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)

The CRB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks for workers who have stopped working or had their income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19, and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit.html

Employer Payroll Service:

When the services of an Employer Payroll Service are required, that fee will be calculated at 25% of each contract total.

This amendment reflects what is happening on a national level.

New Members

Dunbar, Emma – Viola, Violin

Gobel, Sara – Violin

Greenland, Abilgail – Cello

Kelly, Jackson – Percussion

Matthews-Hanna, Issac – Guitar, Piano, Vocalist

Nowicki, Gabriella – Violin

Noxon, Jennifer – Guitar, Acoustic, Ukelele

Portocarrero, Arturo – Sound Engineer

Puumala, Kevin – Guitar, Classical, Guitar, Bass, Vocalist, Percussion

Van Barr, Bennett  – Violin

 

Expelled

Abbott, Rebecca

Berriault, Daniel

Brierley, Douglas

Cardiff, Craig

Homma, Aaron Keay

Martin, Blake

Martin, Dakota

Mastronardi, Alex

Mccann, Sean

Rangno, Rick

Reid, James

Runge, Evan

Sobb, Matthew

Weeks, Gregory R.G.

Weinroth-Browne, Raphael

 

Reinstated

 

Our mailing address is:

The Musicians’ Association of Ottawa-Gatineau
Local 180
280 Metcalfe Street, Suite 301
Ottawa, ON K2P 1R7

Suspended

Allston, Andrew

Dassios, Michael

Dassios, Michael

Donais, Mathieu

Dube, Jan

Dube, Liam

Dube, Quinn

Geller, Chloe

McLeod, Marlayah

Mguni, Anna

Plante, Miguel

Schultz, Ursula

Uchino, Minako

 

2AFM ID Numbers

Dear Members,

For the purposes of filing contracts, the Musicians’ Pension Fund of Canada has done a great deal of work to protect the privacy of members in terms of SIN numbers. Canadian Locals are now permitted to use an AFM ID number in lieu of a SIN number on all contracts.

When sending funds from the Local 180 office, we will require you to know your AFM ID number.

Beginning in January this year, the office has included your AFM ID number on your membership dues receipt, which you received in the mail.

You may also go to cfmusicians.org and register there to obtain your AFM ID number and update any information. The good thing about registering on the site is that when you update your personal information, it is also received in the office so that we are current. 

Upcoming Local 180 General Meetings in 2023

September 11 – 12:30 PM – In person

December 4 – 12:30 PM – In person and ON-Line VIA ZOOM

LOCAL OFFICE HOURS

Monday to Friday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Attention Members!!!

Due to popular demand members may now pay membership dues using E-Mail Transfer using the email address

dues@ma180.org

Once we process the transfer, we will send you an electronic receipt.

____________

If you are planning to file contracts electronically in 2022, please use
our new e-mail address: 

contracts@ma180.org

Thank you!

_____________

YOU’VE GOT MAIL & MONEY TO DEPOSIT!!!

Do we have your current email address?

The Local 180 Office sends out important advisories to members by email and we want to make sure that you’re reachable. This year the Local will also be paying most musicians using E-Transfer and Direct Deposit, so we MUST have your correct e-mail address.

Please notify the office of any changes to your contact information. Include your phone number, home address and email address.

Call (613)700-9260 to make sure that we have your correct contact information.

A REMINDER ABOUT EXPELLED MEMBERS

A person who has been expelled from our Association is no longer a member of the Association or the AFM. Members and leaders are reminded:

Do not play engagements with non-members. Persons are generally expelled for serious violations of our Constitution and Bylaws. Expulsion is not a life sentence; the individual has the right to settle these matters with the Board and regain member status. But until that step has been taken, we urge leaders and members not to give non-member rights and privileges which belong only to members.

 

Next Deadline for Membership Dues January 31, 2023

PENALTIES

TO REINSTATE FROM RESIGNING IN GOOD STANDING – $10.00

TO REINSTATE FROM SUSPENSION – $35.00

TO REINSTATE FROM EXPULSION – $45.00

Your business is music to our ears.

You spend hours perfecting your talent and invest in equipment which allows you to express it.

HUB International is in-tune with your needs and has you covered.

PROGRAM FEATURES

HUB PROGRAM COVERAGES

  • All-risks’ coverage on your instruments and equipment

  • Worldwide coverage – no Territory Exception

  • Rental Reimbursement — up to $10,000 in coverage, if you need to rent instruments or
    equipment in the event of a loss

  • $100 deductible per occurrence on instruments and equipment, as opposed to other proposed rates are $250

  • Up to $2,500 coverage on promotion material, T-shirts, CD’s, posters, etc.

  • Loss of earnings up to $5,000 due to loss or damage to venue

  • Loss of earning up to $5,000 due to loss or damage to equipment

  • Locked vehicle – no exclusion

  • Rented, Leased or Borrowed Equipment, $10,000 limit up to 30 consecutive days

  • Optional Commercial General Liability including bodily injury, property damage, medical payments, tenants legal liability and non-owned automobile

 

RATES AND PREMIUMS

  • $2.20 rate per $100 sum insured for Instruments and Equipment ($100 deductible)

Liability rates ($500 deductible):

  • $1,000,000 limit – $66/member

  • $2,000,000 – $127/member
    Higher limits available upon request