Kalamazoo Musicians AFM Local 228

08/18/2026

Something we all might do on Saturday, August 29?

Thank you to all of you who have been working so hard to spread the word about Play Music on the Porch Day! It is absolutely working. I’ve seen posts on community chats, in letters to editors, in online forums and mentions on artists pages. Your work is paying off! We are getting many new participants! Thank you! This is a labor of love and it wouldn’t work without the amazing community that supports it!

08/13/2026

Time to let your feelings be known about the proposed Brass-Wind Tariff--

🎺 A newly proposed tariff on brass-wind instruments and accessories could make it even harder for music programs and families to afford the instruments students need.

Now is the time for music educators and advocates to make our voices heard! Submit a public comment by August 27 and reach out directly to your members of Congress to oppose the proposed tariff.

Learn what’s at stake and exactly how to take action: bit.ly/brass-wind-tariff-blog

NAMM League of American Orchestras

08/11/2026

Great news from the Musicians of the Traverse City Philharmonic and Grand Rapids Musicians AFM Local 56!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Grand Rapids MI) — Following an organizing campaign, the musicians of the Traverse City Philharmonic (TC Phil) voted overwhelmingly to join the AFM - American Federation of Musicians. Management granted recognition to the union, and the TC Phil musicians will become members of AFM Local 56.

The organizing effort began when TC Phil violinist Kaylee Erlewein contacted AFM Local 56 in April 2026 regarding concerns about the orchestra’s operations. Over the next four months, a musician-led organizing committee — supported by the AFM’s Organizing Department and Local 56 — conducted one-on-one conversations with their TC Phil colleagues to discuss these concerns and the possibility of union representation. The campaign included all of the TC Phil musicians based upon National Labor Relations Board criteria. By joining AFM Local 56, the TC Phil musicians gain collective representation to address the orchestra’s artistic and operational future.

“I am so excited for the Traverse City Philharmonic to move forward as a part of AFM Local 56,” said Kaylee Erlewein. “The TC Phil has been my ‘home’ since age eleven, and it is one of the main reasons I became a professional violinist and teacher. However, in recent years, decisions by the TC Phil management, discussions with my colleagues, and years of service on the Players’ Committee led me to believe that the musicians needed a stronger voice. The necessary next step was to join with the American Federation of Musicians. We look forward to working with AFM Local 56 to make the orchestra stronger than ever, for many years to come.”

“We could not be more pleased to have the Traverse City Philharmonic musicians join our ranks,” stated AFM Local 56 President Bennie Keys. “We look forward to working with them on achieving their first collective bargaining agreement with the AFM which reflects the growth of their community.”

“The Musicians of the Traverse City Philharmonic are to be congratulated for their grassroots campaign,” added Paul Austin, AFM Local 56 Secretary/Treasurer. “By canvassing their TC Phil colleagues, the team realized that it was time to make a move to the AFM, and we are delighted to have them as members of AFM Local 56.”

The TC Phil musicians express their gratitude to the AFM for their assistance and guidance through this process.

08/03/2026

Learn more about what the Musicians of the Dayton Philharmonic are facing--

Musicians of the Dayton Philharmonic Local 101-473 (Dayton, OH) are taking a stand against severe reductions by the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance that would eliminate popular concert series and slash musician pay. Refusing to accept a diminished future for live music in Dayton, the orchestra is standing united with regional labor allies and community members to protect the arts!

Read the full August International Musician cover story: https://internationalmusician.org/dayton-philharmonic-musicians-unite-to-fight-devastating-management-cuts/

07/31/2026

A big thank you to all who worked on our behalf at this week's ROPA conference!

07/27/2026

Protect Working Musicians Act Forum Webinar: Thurs. August 6th.
Learn more at: https://www.afm.org/2026/07/protect-working-musicians-act-forum/
Registration link: https://link.a2im.org/ourseatatthetable

07/27/2026

Thanks to our ROPA friends for all they're about to do in Dallas!

Our ROPA executive board is ready for you!! 🤠

We are so excited to welcome our ROPA delegates, both new and old, and have an informative, influential, and invigorating conference here in Dallas, Texas!!

See y’all soon!!! 🐂

07/24/2026

Let's have one more round of applause for Local 228's 2026 Martin Scholarship recipients! We couldn't be prouder or more grateful for what they mean to our profession and our community. Hats off to Colton, Amelia, Justin, Jean-Pierre, Karin, Leo, and Josh!

07/22/2026

We wrap up our introductions of the seven 2026 scholarship recipients with Local 228 member Josh Holcomb. A violist and solo looper artist, Josh has been playing music since childhood. His first Suzuki viola teacher was the late Tomio Anderson, whom he credits with teaching improvising and fiddle tunes, along with the standard Suzuki repertoire. Josh writes, “I am thankful for that, because by the time I was in high school and college, I found myself wanting to play music with friends who didn’t have a classical background, and exploring some of the many other types of music outside classical.” Josh began his work in looping as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, where he took an introductory class in performing arts technology and was a member of the Creative Arts Orchestra, a free improvisation ensemble. He continued his study of viola and composition as a graduate student at Western Michigan University, where he was a leader in the Western Improv Orchestra. Some of his most recent solo performances have taken place under the auspices of Connecting Chords, Sounds of the Zoo, Kalamazoo New Year’s Fest, and the Kalamazoo Farmers Market. An active teacher, Josh also performs with a number of orchestras in western Michigan. His Martin Scholarship will help support professional study with violin/looper artists. Bravo, Josh!

07/20/2026

Let's get to know our next 2026 Martin Scholarship recipient: born in São Paulo, Brazil, Leo Ernest Garcias Leite began his musical studies at age 9, but only started playing the trombone at age 14 at the São Paulo Municipal School of Music with Professor Gilberto Gianelli. At age 16, Leo joined the Orchestra Experimental de Repertório, which he left to attend Ohio University as a student of Dr. Lucas Borges. Leo has won numerous honors, including the Concerto Competition of the São Paulo Youth Orchestra, the Audience Award at the Swisstbone Competition, the Third Prize at the Charleston Contemporary Music Competition, the OU Concerto Competition, the Excellence Award at “Le Domaine Forget de Charlevoix” Festival, and the Most Outstanding Tenor Trombonist at the 2026 Sphinx Orchestral Partners Auditions competition. Other highlights in his career include serving as associate conductor with the American Pops Orchestra for the Hispanic Heritage Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. and performing with The Ohio Light Opera, Columbus Children’s Theatre, and other regional orchestras in the Midwest. In September 2025, Leo began graduate studies at DePaul University, studying with Mark Fisher and Charlie Vernon. A member of Local 228, Leo currently serves as second trombone with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. His Martin Scholarship was awarded to help support graduate school expenses. Bravo, Leo!