The Patuxent Institution Rehabiliataion Center is in the process of creating a music program for its patients and is seeking donations in the form of musical instruments of any sort. If you are able to make such a donations, send to:

Patuxent Institution Rehabilitation Center
Mensa Music Program
C/o Christopher Volkomer
322630 E1 5U
7555 Waterloo Road
Jessup, MD 20794

BSO violinist Gregory Kuperstein accepts, on behalf of daughter Melanie, the $1,000 MPF Scholarship check from President Crocken on Monday, June 9.

Melanie who commenced violin studies at age five, is entering the University of Maryland at College Park as a freshman this fall where she will be majoring in violin performance. It is interesting to note that her sole instructor has been long-time 40-543 member Collette Wichert.

We wish Melanie the very best in her career pursuit.

Through June 3, 2008, fifty-five 40-543 members have generously contributed $1,173 to TEMPO. Please remember that this is a major election year, so your support is most important.

You might be interested to know that your Local was one of the largest contributors to TEMPO in 2007. Also, you should read the International Musician to see how the increased funding of TEMPO is having some impact on legislative progress. Let's keep it up!!

REMINDER:
Law does not allow unions to use their general funds for political activity; yet such activity is necessary if unions are to avoid getting obliterated in the political process.

Your voluntary contributions, combined with those of your colleagues, allows the AFM to have some impact with respect to candidates who support musicians/labor's interests, as well as legislation favorable to same.

Monday, April 14 saw Local 40-543 hold its twelfth annual Classical Showcase. From 6 to 7:30 pm, thirteen aspiring professionals performed for a panel of contractors/personnel managers consisting of Walt Borys, Ron Erler, Chris Hofer, Filbert Hong, Ed Goldstein and Marilyn Rife.

Additionally, the participants' resumes were sent to the four contractors who could not be in attendance.

We, as always, express our sincerest thanks to the contractors/personnel managers whose presence make this event creditable.

The participants likewise express appreciation for the opportunity to display their skills for those who might employ them.

And, of course, profoundest thanks to Board members Mary Plaine and Paula Hatcher whose participation make this thing work.

Rebecca Covington, wife of long-time member Charles Covington advises that Charlie was selected as the 2007 outstanding jazz musician by the District of Columbia Piano Competition.

Charlie is the 29th recipient of this annual award, which includes previous honorees Billy Taylor and Oscar Peterson.

We're sure you join us in sending congratulations and "Bravos" to Charlie.

Just under 50 folks consisting of 40-543 members, family and friends enjoyed a come from behind Oriole victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at AFL-CIO Night at Camden Yards on Friday, June 13..all told approximately 18,000 took advantage of this annual union event, which makes tickets available at $5 apiece..the location of the seats was outstanding, the weather was pleasant and the evening was capped off with a fireworks display..if you haven't yet participated, you should seriously consider it next year...After the Thursday, June 12 BSO concert, there was a celebratory gathering of current and former orchestra members, staff, family and friends to honor oboist Joe Turner who has announced his retirement at the end of this, his 43rd season..Joe served as principal from 1965 to 2003 when he moved to associate principal...The tribute continued at a Friday Musicians' Appreciation luncheon presented by the BSO at the Belvedere Hotel at which Joe shared the stoplight with hornist Mary Bisson, tubist David Fedderly, bassist Jonathan Jensen and violinist Andrew Wasyluszko, who are celebrating their 25th year with the BSO..we congratulate these four and wish Joe the very best in his retirement...The months of May & June saw the loss of four grants of the music world..Alexander Courage, best known for composing the theme for "Star Trek" but who worked principally as an arranger on TV and on nearly 100 films, including many of the MGM musicals, passed away on May 15 at age 88..Bob Florence, whose career got rolling in the late 50's and who went on to arrange for the big bands of Harry James, Louis Bellson, Sy Zentner, Doc Severinsen & others, also arranging for the TV shows of Red Skelton, Andy Williams & Dean Martin and for singers Julie Andrews, Jack Jones & Vicki Carr, passed away on May 15 at age 75..Earl Hagen who, with Lionel Newman, wrote the classic "Harlem Nocturne" and was a prolific composer and arranger who, in partnership with Herbert Spencer, wrote and arranged for many highly successful TV shows produced by Danny Thomas and Sheldon Leonard, most notably The Andy Griffith and Dick Van Dyke Shows, passed away on May 26 at age 88..Bill Finegan, who arranged Glenn Miller's first big hit "Little Brown Jug" and practically everything Miller recorded in 1938 and 1939 and, after military service during WWII, arranged for Tommy Dorsey afterwhich, in the early fifties, he teamed with Eddie Sauter, who had arranged for Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, to form the innovative Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, which enjoyed some success and with which longtime 40-543 member trombonist John Melick toured, passed away on June 4 at age 91...Locally, we mourn the passing of Joe Ponzillo in January at 75, Lee Green in February at 91, Charlie Pfaff in April at 78, Sylvia Charles in May at 90, Dr. Joseph Stephens in May at 81, Lou Ginsberg in June at 92, and Bernie Wiessner in June at 81..the June 3 and June 8 issues of The Sun carried rather comprehensive obituaries respectively of Dr. Stephens and Lou..we offer sincerest condolences to the families and loved ones of all these valued members...On the other end of the cycle and to end on a rather higher note, member Genevieve "Gina" Eichman (flt) and husband Phil Alman welcomed newest addition Karl David Alman to their family at 5:05 pm on June 4..baby Karl, who weighed in at 8 lbs 2 oz becomes the sixth member of the family..we extend the very best wishes to them all...'til next time.

The shortage of blood seems to have become perpetual. Your participation could help ameliorate this situation.

The unit of blood that you donate could help a cancer patient or an accident victim either of whom could be a family member, friend or colleague.

Make a difference, Give the Gift of Life. It usually takes less than an hour, so please try to set aside the time to make a donation.

Donors must meet health requirements, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years of age.