Len DiCosimo, President of the American Federation of Musicians Local 4, discussed upcoming music industry conferences in Cleveland, the impact of political decisions on the arts and a new musician-led protest movement.
The 2025 Midwestern Conference of AFM Locals will be held in July and will bring together music unions from 12 states to address issues like electronic media royalties, education programs and political action. DiCosimo emphasized the conference's focus on the Trump administration's impact on fine arts and strategies for Local Unions to engage with state and central labor councils. He added that the gathering will also showcase Local 4's efforts to organize the Cleveland Institute of Music.
In August, Cleveland will host the 2025 International Conference of Symphonic Musicians and Theater Musicians Associations. This event represents over 50 orchestras and 4,000 symphonic musicians, including the Cleveland Orchestra, a charter member since the organization's founding in 1962. DiCosimo noted the importance of addressing the varying employment structures within the symphonic industry, as only about 18 of the represented orchestras offer full-time, 52-week contracts.
Finally, DiCosimo discussed Musicians Against Dictators (MAD), a new grassroots movement in Cleveland that unites musicians from various ensembles to protest and educate the community. The group's inaugural event in Lincoln Park featured 40 musicians, regional choirs and a performance of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" with new lyrics by Poet Laureate Alex Bevan. DiCosimo described MAD as a necessary form of "good trouble" in response to current political challenges, with plans to participate in upcoming "No Kings" rallies.
Listen to the full episode to hear more from DiCosimo in response to political challenges and upcoming events in Cleveland.