The Louisville
Federation of Musicians
What's New
May 2008
Memorial Day and the start of the summer concert season is fast approaching. Although we are anticipating some reduction in co-sponsorship funding from the Music Performance Fund, so far we have been able to secure funding for most of our events. Check the Concert Schedule page for upcoming events.
April 2008
We have recently held our initial meeting with the Louisville Regional Airport Authority and are pleased to say that there will be musicians at the airport to continue our long-standing tradition of playing to welcome Derby guests to our city.
March 2008
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Saxophonist Mel Owen, who led the Crusade for Children Orchestra for 25 years (1968-1992), died Wednesday, March 12. Mel was 78 and had been a member of the Local for 60 years. His other musical accomplishments included 9 years with the Glenn Miller Air Force Dance Band, later known as the Airmen of Note. He was one of the founders of Hi Varieties and opened the Mel Owen music store in 1972. Expressions of symphony to the Crusade. |
February 2008
| We were all saddened to hear of the death of member Paul Johnson, 87, on February 19 at his home. Paul had been a member for 49 years, and was a familiar presence with the Rascals of Ragtyme, the Dixieland Doodlers and many other groups through the years. Paul was preceded in death by his wife Elsie, with whom he celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in February 2007. |
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January 2008
Our annual Chili Supper and Awards Night was held Monday, January 28, 2008. A 50-Year Pin was earned by Rubin Sher, and 25-Year Pins went to Shelley Chapman, Keith Cook and Charlie Niehoff. See some snapshots here.
Death Announcements: The Local has recently learned that long-time Life Member Roy Hare of Jeffersonville passed away on September 16 of last year after a brief illness. Roy was 83 and played guitar and violin. He had been a member for 54 years.
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Life Member Paul Swain, who had recently returned to the Louisville area after spending much of his professional life in New York City, died on January 5 of this year at the age of 96. A memorial celebration will be held on April 5 at 2:00PM at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2233 Woodbourne Ave. |
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December 2007
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS May the joyful music of the season THE LOUISVILLE FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS President: Joseph P. Spain |
November 2007
There was a General Membership Meeting at 7:00 PM Monday, November 26, in the Local's Rehearsal Hall, for the purpose of reevaluating our wage scales. The Wage Scale Committee's recommendations were presented to the membership and approved unanimously by secret ballot of those present. Specific information will be mailed to members in the next newsletter.
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Virginia Kershner Schneider, 92, violist, passed away Sunday, November 4. She had been a member of the Louisville Orchestra for 54 years, retiring in 1999. She had also taught at U of L and introduced the Suzuki instruction method to Louisville. At left, she is shown being awarded the Local's Musician of the Year Award for 1985. |
October 2007
The Local celebrated our 110th Anniversary with a special dinner at Glenmary Country Club on Monday, October 22. The planned golf scramble was postponed due to rain and played on Monday, October 29.
| We are sad to inform the members of the loss of guitarist Mike Biggs, 55, who passed away very suddenly on Sunday, October 28. Mike played often with accordionist Don Picozzi, and earlier had performed and recorded with artists such as Bob Hope, Ella Fitzgerald, Sara Vaughn, Jerry Reed and many others. More info at www.Picozzi-Biggs.com. |
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September 2007
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The Local mourns the passing of Life Member Richard Washburn, 70, a trumpet player, who died September 16. Dick had been a member for nearly 43 years. He graduated from IU with a Bachelor of Music Education, and received a Masters Degree in Counseling from WKU. He had over 28 years of teaching experience in instrumental music in the Jefferson County public school system. He also performed and recorded with the Louisville Orchestra as well as with many noted entertainers. |
August 2007
Tickets are now available in the office for the 8th Annual Greater Louisville United Labor Picnic held on Labor Day at the Louisville Zoo. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the gate, and include lunch, drinks, car show, informational booths, kids' activities, and music by John Gage and Gary Falk with Indigo. And, of course, all the usual attractions of the Zoo. More information here.
July 2007
New keys have been cut for the back door of the Rehearsal Hall and new policies for usage are now in place. Please contact the office to schedule use of the hall and to obtain a key.
June 2007
New Member Benefit: Legal Services
As part of our retainer agreement with Segal, Lindsay & Janes, the following will be provided for our members: One free 30-minute office conference per member per year; unlimited telephone consultation for members; discounted hourly rate; reduced rate on preparation of wills. Please contact the firm at 568-5600 for more information or to take advantage of this.
We regretfully note the recent passing of two of our Life Members:
| Norm Carlisle, 81, died May 31 at Baptist Hospital East. Norm was a Louisville native, a Manual High graduate, and former President and Chairman of the Board for Murphy Elevator Co. He was a WWII USAF veteran, an accomplished jazz musician on saxophone and clarinet, and played with several groups including 42 years with the WHAS Crusade for Children Band. |
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Larry Kaelin, 75, passed away at his residence on May 27. Larry had been a member of the Local for 48 years, and was a member of the first graduating class of Bellarmine College. Local restaurant patrons fondly remember his many years playing piano at Jack Fry's and other locations. |
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May 2007
It's Derby Time again ... if you have occasion to visit the airport, be sure to look for and listen to our musicians in the annual musical greeting for Derby visitors. This year all performances are in the main concourse before the security checkpoint.
After Derby the summer concert schedule will be under way. Check our Concert Schedule to see who's playing where, and enjoy a concert in a local park.
March 2007
The new directory is now at the printer and will be mailed to you shortly. Our quarterly newsletter will be mailed the week of March 19.
IN MEMORIAM
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Life Member Ernest "Tubby" French, 91, passed away on February 24. He had been a member since 1942. Tubby was retired from Anaconda Aluminum but was better known in our musical community for being the only remaining original member of the Holy Name Band, having played there for 69 years. He played trumpet during the 1940s through the '80s in several local bands including The French-Spies Orchestra, the L & N Orchestra and the Bavarians. He played all the major hotels and clubs, and played on both WHAS and WAVE radio. |
Edwin Chestnut, Sr., member since 1946, passed away on January 31, 2007 at the age of 83. Ed earned an accounting degree from the University of Louisville and joined Mammoth Life Insurance in 1952, rising to hold the office of president before retiring in 1992. After his retirement he returned the local jazz music scene as a member of the ReUnity Club ensemble. |
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| Member Paul McDowell, 85, passed away on December 25, 2006. Paul was a bassoonist, member since 1949, a former member of the Louisville Orchestra and a great friend to the local music education scene. |
February 2007
2007 membership dues are now past due. Please contact the office if you are unsure of your status.
January 2007
Our annual Chili Supper and Awards Night was held Monday, January 29. See some pix, read who won the Chili Cook-Off here.
December 2006
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May the joyful music of the holidays THE LOUISVILLE FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS President: Joseph P. Spain
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November 2006
| IN MEMORIAM The Local mourns the loss of Marvin Ambs, a member for almost 60 years. Marvin passed away November 9 after a courageous battle with cancer. He played trombone with a Navy band during WWII and graduated from U of L's Gardencourt School of Music with a BA and MA in Music Education. |
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Election Results
Election ballots have been returned and counted by the Election Committee. A new Executive Board member was elected to fill the position of member Tim Zavadil, who is resigning after six years of service. Bill Corcoran, music director at Derby Dinner Playhouse, will join Steve Causey and June Kelley-Roy to serve on the board. President Joe Spain and Vice President Gary Falk ran unopposed and will retain those offices. Music Services Representative Rebecca Loeffler ran unopposed for the combined position of Kentucky State AFL-CIO Delegate/AFM Delegate Alternate.
September 2006
Members in the News
Louisville Orchestra violinist Keith Cook is featured in the special Arts and Entertainment Guide in the Sept. 6 issue of LEO. And LO violinist Patty Fong-Edwards can be seen in the September issue of Today's Woman. Jacob Duncan and his group Liberation Prophecy made the cover of the Courier-Journal Saturday Scene on August 19. They have just returned from playing a CD release show in Greenwich Village's Blue Note to kick off their debut album "Last Exit Angel" (available locally at Ear X-tacy).
July 2006
Our General Membership meeting was held Monday, July 17. Two issues were voted on: Whether to amend the Local's bylaws to allow items to be passed by a simple majority rather than a two-thirds majority; and whether to continue providing the member life insurance benefit after this year. Those present voted not to change either, so no bylaws changes will take place. Reminder to those of you who have elected to pay dues twice yearly: The 2nd installment of your 2006 dues is due in July.
June 2006
Life Member Rollen Brandt, 88, a pianist, passed away on June 11. Rollen had been a member with us for 59 years. Besides being a musician and a devoted husband and father, he was an avid ham radio operator, amateur geologist, astronomer, photographer and historian. For 46 years he served as the organist for Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church. During the 1940s through the 1960s he was a pianist in several big bands and dance bands.
May 2006
Life Member Majorie "Margie" Bayer passed away on May 15. Margie was born April 20, 1917 and joined the Local on October 16, 1946. She was a Louisville native and a Shawnee High School graduate. Margie played piano and with her husband Johnny, a vocalist, and two other musicians entertained at clubs and private parties throughout the area for many years. Besides her family, her music, and her job as an elementary school secretary, Margie loved living and boating on the Ohio River, first on a houseboat and then in a summer cottage on Juniper Beach. After Johnny passed in 1985 Margie continued her musical career playing with the Mellotones until last December.
April 2006
The musicians of the Louisville Orchestra have negotiated a new contract. They have elected to help address the organization's financial requirements by accepting salary and scheduling cutbacks in order to maintain the size of the orchestra at 71 players.
March 2006
Our list of members who teach is now available online. This listing is by instrument and provides contact information and the member's zip code to assist in locating the most convenient resource.
We regret the loss of Life Member Benjamin "Buddy" Morris, who passed away on March 16 at the age of 81. Buddy played clarinet, tenor sax, mandolin, banjo and guitar, and had been a member of the Local for 59 years.
February 2006
Louisville Orchestra musicians have updated their website at www.lomusicians.org.
January 2006
The Local's annual Chili Supper and Cook-Off took place on January 26 ... see some snapshots here.