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Items related to the Arizona Opera Orchestra Musicians Association (AZOOMA) and musician-related topics of interest.
Recent Posts Tagged With 'musician'
A New Beginning
In Tucson, the musicians of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra have shifted their union representation from the "Guild" to the American Federation of Musicians. In a statement posted in the ROPA Internet Mailing List: "The musicians of the Tucson Symphon...
A Compromising Position
After 17 long months of negotiations, AZOOMA has secured a long-term commitment through the 2011-2012 season. It is a three-year agreement with a side letter that includes two additional years of "right of first refusal." T...
TSO Negotiations Suspended
Our colleagues in the Tucson Symphony Orchestra (TSO) are currently in the process of changing their union membership from the International Guild of Symphony, Opera and Ballet Musicians (IGSOBM) to the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). Also kn...
Tentative Deal
From the Arizona Daily Star: The Arizona Opera Orchestra narrowly averted a strike that could have disrupted this weekend’s run of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” The orchestra and opera management struck a tentative deal late Monday afternoon th...
A Brave New World
Since its launch last November, AZOOMA.org has generated a wave of support and interest in both Arizona Opera and the Arizona Opera Orchestra. As a part of its three-pronged mission, AZOOMA aims to reach out to the community and spread the word, both...
Now is the Time
A new YouTube video gets closer to the heart of the matter regarding our current contract negotiations: Please visit our main site ...
AZOOMA TV Strikes Again!
A new video has been posted on our YouTube Channel, AZOOMA TV. It spells out some basic facts about our organization and its mission.Please visit our main site ...
Phoenix to Open Instrument Museum
An article in the New York Times reports that in 2010, Phoenix will have a new museum devoted to world music instruments. Robert J. Ulrich, the chairman and chief executive of Target Corporation, is donating millions of dollars to establish the Music...
AZOOMA TV
The Arizona Opera Musicians Association (AZOOMA) has another YouTube video. It focuses on the new "How to Help" area of the AZOOMA web site. It is also displayed on the "How to Help" page itself. This video is a part of our AZOOMA Tube Channel. A ne...
How To Be An Opera String Player
Violist Katie Shields has submitted a tongue-in-cheek article on the trials and tribulations of being an opera string player. Written like an informal journal, it offers witty insights into the life of a musician. It begins: *************************...
Getting Dressed Up (and Spreading the Word)
Reaching out to our community with an outreach initiative. (January 24, 2008) - The Arizona Opera Orchestra Musicians Association (AZOOMA) began an Informational Outreach Initiative at the Arizona Opera "Gems" concert in Phoenix Symphony Hall in dow...
High Hopes in "Play and Talk"
In 2000 a vital document between the Arizona Opera and American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 586 was adopted. Through "collective bargaining," we ratified a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), insuring a fair and acceptable work environment...
There's No Place Like Home
The second in a series of articles featuring AZOOMA musicians. Many Opera musicians pursue other work to supplement their opera income to make a complete living in music. It takes some creativity and planning to accomplish this. Quite a few musicians...
"Thank You, Next..."
It's not like American Idol, but there are similarities... The Arizona Opera recently announced auditions to fill vacancies. At one time or another each musician in the Arizona Opera Orchestra has had to pass a rigorous audition. Since these are pai...
Love and Marriage (Redux)
The first in a series of articles featuring AZOOMA musicians. Revised 1/11/08. "All married couples should learn the art of battle as they should learn the art of making love. Good battle is objective and honest--never vicious or cruel. Good battle i...
Inconvenient Truths
Many people in the general public are honestly surprised that musicians get paid money to perform. Some even get downright insulted when musicians insist on getting paid to play. Holly Mulcahy at the Partial Observer recently posted an excellent arti...
The X Factor
Within AZOOMA.org three words are presented as our slogan: Expression. Experience. Excellence. These words are the basic tenets behind AZOOMA, the Arizona Opera Orchestra Musicians Association. They are intertwined with our spirit and our mission. E...
State of the Arts
Until the 1960's Phoenix was mostly known for the state's "four C's" - copper, cattle, cotton, and climate. "Culture" was almost unheard of. Today in Arizona the scene is much different. The Valley's rapid growth spawns new art and culture venues a...
Life in the Pit
Playing in a pit orchestra is very different. Perfoming in a "pit orchestra" is vastly different than performing on the stage. A pit orchestra is a specialized ensemble that both accompanies the singers and adds to the drama on stage. Occasionally i...
