PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Lookin’ Good

,

Aloha members,

I’m on a bit of a time crunch; this will be a short article. You’re welcome 😉

The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra continues to garner accolades and rave reviews, presenting a wide range of programs, from Brahms and Beethoven to Keola Beamer with precision, musicality, and magic.

Diamond Head Theater, in the midst of a new contract, is employing our union musicians in pit orchestras for 24 to 30 services per show and is consistently selling out performances.

Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) continues to sponsor our members in many concerts at Studio 909, as well as retirement and nursing facilities.

For the freelancers, no news to report, mostly because there are so few contracts being filed. I’d like to say that it’s quicker and easier than you might think to get a contract generated. Robert and Brien will make sure there’s a short turnaround time. With a contract, you get pension. Although a lot of younger musicians don’t think about pension because it’s a long way off, the small pension contributions per gig do mount up, and will really help out on the day you wake up and ask yourself, “Where did the time go?” Hey, it happens to all of us who survive youth.

Straight ahead and strive for tone,

James F. Moffitt

From the Summer 2025 issue, Ke Ola O Na Mele