Musicians in our community need your help. Since the shutdown of the local economy in March, performances of our symphony orchestras, Broadway shows, choral groups, chamber music groups, and many other organizations have been cancelled. Local performing musicians have never been on the top of the economic heap and the pandemic has almost completely destroyed what little was there.
The American Federation of Musicians Local 12 would like your help. The Local has established a Musicians Relief Fund to channel financial assistance to the musicians who urgently need them. The AFM Local 12 leadership has already been hard at work seeking various forms of relief and aid for our members, with our employers, and with available programs administered by cities and the state. We have already, for example:
- Secured PPP payroll payments to musicians in the Sacramento Philharmonic, Fresno Philharmonic, and Modesto Symphonies totaling over $250,000
- Assisted around 20 musicians with their Unemployment Claims, and funds have flowed into musicians’ accounts as a result
- Helped a number of Sacramento city-resident musicians apply for city funding from the federal CARES Act to offset COVID losses from employment lost at Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra, Broadway Sacramento, and other sources with over $50,000 flowing in September to musicians
- Completed payments to members of the SCSO for three recordings made in 2018 and 2019 that will be released shortly.
While these efforts have generated results, and these amounts may sound quite large, this money has been spread over 7 months and to hundreds of musicians living from Bakersfield to Modesto to Sacramento and throughout Northern California. As a result, the amounts become less impactful, and the prospects for local musician employment and for further federal government relief in either enhanced unemployment or PPP funding in the coming months are bleak.
Contributions of any amount to our Musicians Relief Fund are welcome, and will help this pool of talent survive. 100% of all funds raised will go directly to local musicians with the goal of distributing the funds before Christmas 2020. Donations checks should be made out to “Local 12 Musicians Relief Fund” and are tax deductible. Please mail to Relief Fund, c/o AFM Local 12, 5716 Folsom Bl. #104, Sacramento CA 95819
Please help us help the musicians who make the wonderful music that enhances our lives. One day soon our concert halls, theaters, and other venues will be available for performances. Let’s make sure the musicians are there as well. Thank you for your help.