History

The American Federation of Musicians Local 76 was originally chartered on March 1, 1898. On January 14, 1958- African American members of the segregated AFM Local 493 were amalgamated with those of Local 76, forming one integrated Local. In December 1994 our title was officially changed to "Local 76-493", celebrating our rich history among all of our members.

Past Presidents

Susan McLain 1996-2002	McLain is a harp player. She was the first female president of this Local and acted as Secretary-Treasurer before becoming President.
Morris "Mori" Simon 1995-1996	In addition to much union involvement, Simon was Personell Manager with the Seattle Symphony. 50 year member and acted as business representative in the early 1970’s.
Ken Shirk 1993-1995	Shirk plays trombone and tuba. He acted as Secretary-Treasurer before becoming president. He is now Secretary-Treasurer at AFM Local 99 in Portland.
L.D. "Larry" McDonell 1978-1979	McDonell played piano and organ and also worked with Vice President Terry Cruise.
L.H. "Lee" Newman 1973	Newman played piano and served on the Kitsap County Labor Council. He worked with Vice President Terry Cruise.
Norm Hoagy 1969-1972 / 1974-1977	At various times in his career, Hoagy served on the board, as vice president and with the Seattle Arts Commission (now 4culture). He was an arranger and played tenor saxophone. He also hosted a popular jazz radio program with bassist Tom “Red” Kelly.
C.W. "Chet" Ramage 1963-1968 / 1980-1993	Ramage was a member of our local for over 65 years. In the 1950’s, he was appointed as International Representative for the AFM to the U.S and Canadian offices. As local labor leader he served with King County Labor Council and was appointed by the state governor to work at the Dept. of Labor and Industries.
John R. "Jackie" Souders 1960-1962	Souders was also a member of AFM Local 47 in Los Angeles. He acted as a board member before and after his presidency. He was the Director of the Seattle World’s Fair Band, and worked as a well-known band leader until his untimely death in 1968.
Alvin Schardt 1957-1960	Schardt was a leading French horn player in Seattle in his time. His peers regarded him as humble and bright, noting he was a good mediator at general membership meetings. After his presidency he was an active board member.
Leslie "Tiny" Martin 1955-1957	At age 16 he joined the Seattle Symphony and eventually became more active in the union. After he left Seattle, Martin played bass for 30 years in the Boston Symphony.
Harry L. Reed 1944-1955	His motto: “A person should put more into an organization than he takes out of it.” Originally from Boston, Reed played the organ.
Ordel McLain 1933-1944	McLain was a traveling theater and symphony musician. He helped to organize and was the first president of the Northwest Conference of Musicians. He played the drums.
A.P. Adams 1932-1933	Like several presidents before him, Adams was president back when our local office was at 2025 – 4th Ave, across from what is now the Cinerama. He was bandleader of the Adams Band.
Harry Pelletier 1928-1932 / 1962-1963	Pelletier played in the Seattle Symphony. He was active as a Tacoma Rotary member, which led to further civic participation and local political activity that included in helping in the construction of the Volunteer Park Water Tower.
T.H. Wagner 1923-1928	Known around town as Dad Wagner, T.H. Wagner led the most popular marching band in town called the Dad Wagner Band. He arrived in Seattle in the 1880’s as an accompanying cornetist to a traveling theatrical troupe. When he opted to stay, he was soon selected to lead the 2nd Regiment National Guard Band, a position that helped earn him a beloved place in local’s hearts. The Dad Wagner Band was formed after playing for the celebration of Washington’s Statehood and the 1909 AYPE Fair. It was this band that played free concerts in Pioneer Square after the Great Fire of Seattle wiped out much of downtown in 1889. The band played locally and toured nationally. As president, Wagner served with Vice President Harry Pelletier.
Frank Bradley 1920-1923	Before his presidency, Bradley was a delegate to the 1915 San Francisco Convention. He later served with Vice President Chas Morris
Chas Morris 1920	Morris played trombone & cello and served with Vice President Frank Bradley. He later moved to Los Angeles to work in theaters.
Robert Hainsworth 1920	Hainsworth immigrated from England. He was a composer and long-time member until his death in 1967. Married to concert pianist Erma (Peterson) Hainsworth. Served with Vice President Chas Morris.
L.N. Curtis 1919	Curtis served with Vice Presidents Robert Hainsworth and Jack Earle.
William Murray 1916-1919	Bio not available.
Daniel Grinrod 1916	Bio not available.
Brooks Parker 1911-1914	Parker lived to the ripe age of 97. An army bugler at first, he played during the Spanish-American War. He came to Seattle in 1905 with a minstrel show and joined the Seattle Symphony in the same year. During this time he acted as Union President and played in a flute trio. On a California tour he met his wife and settled in Berkeley. In 1920, he moved to New York City where he played with the New York Philharmonic. Then, in the late 1940’s his family was struck by tragedy, which caused a subsequent move back to Seattle in 1950. Again, he played with the Symphony, leaving the orchestra a second time in 1954 because of weakened eyesight
F.A. Rust 1898 - 1906	During his term, Rust acted as a delegate to the Central Labor Council, now known as Martin Luther King County Labor Council.
W.A. Ballard 1906-1911 William Bruce 1896-1897 William Mathew 1896 L.E. Booth 1892 - 1896 / 1897 - 1898 V.K. Tout 1890-1892	Bio not available.

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