TMA CONFERENCE: In Review
by Vicky Smolik, President Theater
Musicians Association
The Twelfth Annual Theater Musicians Association (TMA) Conference was held in East St. Louis, Illinois, August 13 and 14. The following is a summary of events.
Linda Patterson, executive assistant to the AFM president, gave a report on
the AFM Convention, State of the AFM, and answered delegates’ questions. AFM
President Lee had asked her to cover these topics in his absence.
AFM Controller Lorraine Bartlett gave a good overview of AFM finances. AFM
Secretary-Treasurer Sam Folio was delayed at the Montreal airport so Bartlett
answered financial questions from the delegates.
TMA Secretary-Treasurer Kaid Friedel gave a financial report and stated that TMA
had 272 members through June 30, 2007. TMA Vice-President George Troia and
Chicago Executive Director Tom Mendel, Northern California TMA Member Tom
Bertetta, Southern California Executive Director Bob Sanders, St. Louis
Executive Director Aileen Friedel, and Directors-at- Large Rich Tremarello and
Rich Genovese gave reports on the status of theater in their areas of the
country.
Lunch was provided by Local 2-197 (St. Louis, MO).
In the afternoon session Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS)
Commissioner Barbara Rumph and Mediator Max Aud gave a great seminar on how the
FMCS can help with negotiations, grievances, and even with our own committees.
Rich Baker, president of Fox Associates gave a presentation about producing
shows and presenting shows. It was interesting to hear how that part of the
business works.
Linda Patterson explained how Regional Resource meetings came about, where they
have been held, the topics that were part of these meetings, and how they are
helping the AFM.
The TMA Executive Board met at 5:30 p.m. All officers and board members were
present in person or by teleconference. Early in the meetings David Rosenfeld
was retained as TMA attorney. There were discussions about recommendation of all
Bylaw changes to the Conference and the new Pamphlet B Book. TMA wants to
participate in a public relations campaign headed by the AFM’s new public
relations firm about live music and all types of technology.
There was a discussion held regarding the AFM keeping TMA up to date on show
itineraries and instrumentation on these shows. This would enable us to keep our
members better informed with our newsletter and our website.
The Dallas-Ft. Worth TMA Chapter was dissolved due to not having enough members
and not having any officers. TMA will encourage them to get the required 10
members and elect officers so that we may reinstate their chapter.
A discussion was held regarding finding a traveling TMA director and a Broadway
TMA director. TMA board members will make some calls to see if anyone is
interested.
There was a discussion regarding the TMA Conference being held in Chicago next
year. The Chicago chapter will let us know if it is possible.
A discussion about the website was also held.
On the second day of meetings ROPA Treasurer Dennis Danders gave a ROPA report
and Bob Sanders gave a convention report.
Sam Folio gave a report on the AFM, which included financial package
information, recording, video games, new era scoring, financial core, and
educational theater productions.
Professional musician and attorney Rochelle Skolnik, from the Law firm of
Schuchat, Cook, and Werner gave a wonderful presentation sponsored by the
Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts on the duty of fair
representation.
Lovie Smith-Schenk President of Local 65- 699 (Houston, TX) gave a diversity
report and invited TMA members to participate.
Bill Moriarity, former Local 802 (New York City) president, and Chris Jaudes,
Broadway, theater trumpeter and former Local 802 Theater Committee member, gave
a good overview of the status of theater on Broadway.
Bill Moriarity, former AFM-EPF Trustee; Gary Matts, president of Local 10-208
(Chicago, IL) and current AFM-EPF Trustee; and Lovie Smith-Schenk, president of
Local 65-699 (Houston, TX) and current AFM-EPF Trustee, gave pension fund
background information through to the current state of the pension fund and
answered questions.
Bylaw Amendments 1 and 2 as listed on the TMA website (www.afm-tma.org) were
passed at the conference. The TMA officers and executive board election was held
with the following results:
President Vicky Smolik, president of Local 2-197
Vice-President George Troia of Local 5 (Detroit, MI
Secretary/Treasurer Kaid Friedel of Local 2-197
Boston Director Tony D’Amico of Locals 9-535 (Boston, MA), 171 (Springfield,
MA), and 198-457 (Providence, RI)
Chicago Director Tom Mendel of Local 10-208
Detroit Director Keith Claeys of Local 5
Northern California Director Allen Biggs of Local 6 (San Francisco, CA)
Southern California Director Bob Sanders of Locals 7 (Orange County, CA) and 47
(Los Angeles)
St. Louis Director Aileen Friedel of Local 2- 197
Director-at- Large Rich Genovese of Locals 21 (Wilmington, DE), 77
(Philadelphia, PA), and 661-708 (Atlantic City, NJ) Director-at-Large Rich
Tremarello of Locals 8 (Milwaukee, WI) and 205 (Green Bay, WI).
The offices of Broadway director and traveling director are vacant.
All Executive Board Members were elected by acclamation and Sam Folio swore in
the 2007/2008 officers.