When Kathy Thomas moved to Orlando back in 1994, she made joining the Central Florida Musicians’ Association a priority. She was far from the first: The local chapter of the American Federation of Musicians already had been around for 70 years.
It follows then — do the math — that this year, local chapter 389 of the national musicians’ union celebrates its 100th year. Festivities include two open-house parties for the community. Expect music, of course.
“It sets a really high industry standard that everyone wants to adhere to if you want players of the highest quality,” says Thomas, a French horn player, of her union. “It sets a high bar.”
Among the association’s major achievements in its hundred-year existence: Creating collective-bargaining agreements with two of the area’s biggest employers of professional musicians, Walt Disney World and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
“We get to control and decide and agree on our working conditions” with the two organizations, Thomas says.
Along with being entertained by association members at Disney World, Philharmonic concerts and elsewhere, the public is invited to join in the milestone celebrations at a pair of events this month.
Appreciation: Remembering Orlando’s ‘blues queen,’ Miss Jacqueline Jones
On April 13, the Orange County Regional History Center, at 65 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando, will host a night of jazz themed to the Roaring ’20s in honor of the era of the association’s founding. The Palm Beach Society Orchestra — comprised of members of the former Grand Floridian Society Orchestra that performed at Walt Disney World — will provide the entertainment.
The festivities start at 7 p.m. and admission is free.
The association is hoping to schedule further parties throughout the year, each with music from a different decade of its existence, said Thomas, a member of the Central Florida Musicians’ Association executive board and head of the union office within the Philharmonic.
“It’s a labor of love,” she says.
Before the association starts grooving through the decades, April 18 will bring a second celebration — this one with birthday cake — at its headquarters, 3020 E. Robinson St. in Orlando. It also starts at 7 p.m., is free, and will include a musicians’ jam session.
Anyone’s invited — “it’s basically to interface with the community,” Thomas says.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will send his best wishes in the form of a proclamation designating the date as “Central Florida Musicians’ Association Centennial Celebration Day” throughout the city. His proclamation salutes the organization as “a champion for our community’s musicians.”
There are multiple ways the association helps its members. Thomas points to an emergency relief fund that serves as a “safety net” for musicians during lean times. The association also offers career development assistance, coaching for Disney auditions and legal help in recovering money when organizations fail to pay players.
Networking events and resources are also offered. Thomas knows firsthand they can help a musician in this gig-to-gig world.
“Three or four times, the phone rang and somebody said, ‘I got your name from the union,'” she relates.
Adding a measure of stability to musicians’ lives helps create the arts scene that makes our region a more enticing place to live — a point made in the city’s April 18 proclamation saluting the Central Florida Musicians’ Association on its big milestone.
“We are grateful for its efforts to provide opportunities and support to help musicians thrive,” the proclamation states, “which in turn makes Orlando a more vibrant, inclusive and welcoming city for all.”
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news at OrlandoSentinel.com/entertainment.
