The Major Chord Newsletter of AFM Local 135-211, Reading, PA
September 2025
It’s been a busy summer including, but not limited to:
- Fully executed contract extension of the Reading Symphony Orchestra 2022-2025 CBA , thus allowing the musicians moving forward with no concert minimum requirement since the CBA did not define the minimum for a 5 concert series season. We look forward to renegotiating for the next contract in 2026.
- Fully executed Integrated Media Agreement between the RSO and AFM, through June 30, 2026, which allows the RSO to use video clips, recordings, etc., for social media and promotion of the orchestra, expanding marketing opportunities.
- MPTF (Music Performance Trust Fund) we are pleased to announce that additional funding for livestreams was approved for Local 135-211 for the remainder of the calendar year. To apply please fill out the form on the AFM Local 135-211 home page.
- Valerie Trollinger attended the July ROPA convention in Philadelphia as the RSO representative. The full report was shared with RSO contracted musicians by Connie Trach, Orchestra Committee chair.
- Continuing from the current CBA, the Reading Symphony Board has allowed two representatives of the musicians to attend board meetings, Chip Breaux and Valerie Trollinger. Meetings are held the last Wednesday of the month. We are happy to see progress with the new Board President, Charlie Bock, who was a past president, getting involved with restaffing the RSO office including hiring a new office manager, refreshing computers, and raising funds for the orchestra, streamlining operations.
- Brent Chancellor has been renewed as the Executive Director for the RSO. We see much needed excitement and energy moving forward.
- The Executive Board of Directors for Local 135-211 is sorry to have received Jerry Heere’s resignation. Jerry has been an integral member of the board for 30 years. Jerry will continue to be a member of the Local. We wish him well.
- Therefore, there is an opening on the Executive Board. If interested, or you know of someone to nominate for the position, please contact either President Alan Rochlin or Secretary/Treasurer Julie Beth Drey by November 1, 2025
As always, please update your personal information through the website, https://readingpamusicians.org in the members only section. Other information is also available on the website.
From the International office:
TEMPO (Taskforce for Employment of Musicians Promotional Organization)
The American Federation of Musicians has many allies in the Congress of the United States. We work with them to advocate on issues that affect musicians every day, from copyright protection to pension reform. The long-term success of AFM’s US legislative efforts depends on making sure that our allies in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate remain in office, and donating to their reelection campaigns is the best way to achieve this. Therefore, it is necessary that we raise contributions to AFM’s political action committee, the AFM TEMPO Fund. The AFM cannot use general treasury funds for political donations, so we need member donations to the AFM TEMPO Fund.
View a summary of current legislative priorities, including draft legislation, at: www.afm.org/what-we-are- doing/legislative/
For more information about traveling with instruments, visit members.AFM.org > Document Library > Travel Information
The Next Meeting for the general membership and the Executive Board of Local 135-211 will be Tuesday, December 16. For further information please contact Julie Beth Drey.
Executive Board:
President Alan Rochlin
Secretary/Treasurer Julie Beth Drey
Members:
Chip Breaux
Chris Heslop
Mark Leister
Skip Moyer