The American Federation of Musicians has been active in the Tampa Bay area since June 13, 1919 with the establishment of Local #721 in Tampa.

Through securing improved wages and better working conditions, our work as a union of professional musicians has served to better the lives of all musicians in our area .

We provide legal representation and service for Collective Bargaining Agreements with the Sarasota Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra, and the Southwest Florida Symphony. If you are interested in organizing a Collective Bargaining Agreement for your group, contact our office for assistance. The Local office in Clearwater will act as a referral service for any of you who are looking for a group or individual to entertain for your wedding, party, or other special event. Members can sign up for our gig referral list and be included in the referral process.

The jurisdiction of this Local cover a large area which includes Hernando, Pasco, Citrus, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier Counties. Also the town of LaBelle in Hendry County, and that part of Polk County which is west of U.S. Route 27.

Local 427-721 Officers

TIHDA VONGKOTH, PRESIDENT

As a mid-career millennial, these are the identities where Tihda has felt belonging: the Lao diaspora, the abled-bodied community, and some Queer communities. Tihda is a partner, a dog/plant/fish/turtle parent, a sister, a daughter, a friend, and a neighbor. Tihda speaks standard American English but also grew up listening to others speak Lao English and AAVE. 

Tihda's approach to music is to nurture musical partnerships based on mutual consent and accountability; these are small steps toward dismantling systems of oppression. She created the nonprofit arts hub Modern Marimba in 2019. Understanding the impact Modern Marimba had on the ability to connect and unite mallet keyboard musicians and audiences all around the world during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tihda is moving its mission forward in Sarasota and beyond.

As a performer, Tihda has appeared as a marimba soloist with The Florida Orchestra, the United States Air Force Band, and the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra. As a percussionist, she has performed with Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba Unidos de Vila Isabel, at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Breckenridge Music Festival, Eastern Music Festival, and Brevard Music Festivals. Tihda has performed as a guest orchestral percussionist with The Florida Orchestra, Orlando Philharmonic, Sarasota Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, Opera Tampa, St. Petersburg Opera, Punta Gorda Symphony, and Jacksonville Symphony.

WARREN POWELL, VICE PRESIDENT

Warren Powell has been a member of The Florida Orchestra viola section since 1984.

He has served as TFO’s Union Steward and ICSOM Delegate for many years and has been a member of, as well as chaired, numerous CBA negotiating teams for the musicians of TFO.

He is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy and has received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and an Artist Diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

 Originally from Kirkland, Washington, he resides in St. Petersburg.

RICHARD SPARROW, SECRETARY-TREASURER

Richard Sparrow has served as Sec/Treas since 2005. He originally joined the AFM in Atlanta in 1980 and earned a bachelor's degree in music education from Columbus State University and a master's degree in Performance from the University of South Florida. He joined the Horn section of The Florida Orchestra in 1984 and became involved in Local 721 (Tampa) as a Board member in 1986. He eventually took over as President and was instrumental in facilitating the merger of the Tampa and St Petersburg Locals’ into AFM Local 427-721 in 1990. Since becoming Sec/Treas in 2005, the Local has become more stable financially, and currently provides Collective Bargaining negotiation support and an onsite steward to The Florida Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra and Southwest FL Symphony.  “Through teaching the next generation of musicians at Local Colleges and my extensive union activity, I feel that I am giving back to our community in the best way that I am able.”

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

CARMEN BANNON

Carmen is a flutist with the Sarasota Orchestra. She plays extra/substitute with The Florida Orchestra and the Orlando Philharmonic.

She was previously Principal Piccolo with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria and has also played with the Dresden Philharmonic on tour, Charlottesville Opera, Crested Butte Music Festival, Alaska Festival of Music and extra with the Colorado Music festival and Oklahoma Symphony.

She had one year teaching appointments with the University of Oklahoma and the University of South Florida. Her late father, Harry T. Newell was very active in the area and Local as a musician and contractor. She is married to timpanist John Bannon and has two children – Liz and Kelsey.  

LEWIS BRININ

I was born in Brooklyn, New York and was introduced to music through the efforts of my father, my maternal grandfather and one of my father's brothers.

 I listened to my father's extensive collection of 78 rpm records, played the piano and attended recitals and concerts at the Brooklyn Museum. In high school I auditioned for and was accepted to join the high school orchestra, dance band, and mixed chorus.

I took three lessons and auditioned for and was accepted as a prospective student of Lillian Fuchs. I graduated a year late due to injuries inflicted on me by being mugged, nevertheless graduated with a Bachelor of Music. I earned my Master of Music from Ball State University, after which I served as a rank-and-file violist in the Maracaibo symphony in Venezuela. After the collapse of the Venezuelan government, I auditioned for and won a part time position with the Gulf Coast symphony. I freelanced with the orchestra and orchestras in Savannah, Sarasota, Ft Myers, Orlando, Daytona Beach, Melbourne and Titusville. 

I have been a member of the Carbonell String Quartet, the Mark Hendricks and Robert Romanski orchestras and Seaside Music Theatre orchestra. I was terminated in May 2021 from the Florida orchestra due to gross incompetence.

ALISON HEYDT

Alison Heydt has been a union member since she was 16, having grown up in the pro-labor environment of Bethlehem, PA, the home of Bethlehem Steel.  She has been a violist with The Florida Orchestra since 1992, having attended Oberlin Conservatory and the Cleveland Institute of Music, followed by two years in the New World Symphony in Miami.  During her time with TFO, she has served on a variety of committees for that orchestra, including the Orchestra Committee, which is responsible for contract negotiations.  She also teaches violin and viola privately and plays the occasional gig around the Tampa Bay area.  She has been honored to serve the Local as a member of the executive board of Local 427-721 since 2006.

MARK NEUENSCHWANDER

Mark Neuenschwander is known as one of Florida's finest bassists and busiest musicians. In addition to playing for over 130 Broadway national tours, Billy Eckstine, Cab Calloway, Rosemary Clooney, Michael Feinstein, The Florida Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet, Tampa Bay Opera, Philharmonia Virtuosi, Eddie Arnold, Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Andrea Bocelli, Herb Alpert, Yanni, Chick Corea, The Moody Blues and the 5th Dimension are a few of the artists and groups who have benefited from his versatility.

Mark is the musician contractor for many venues in Florida including the David A. Straz Center, Dr. Phillips Center, Kravis Center, Asolo Rep, and for numerous artists and producers. Also respected as an educator/clinician, Mark is currently on the faculties of the University of South Florida and Southeastern University, and previously Eckerd College, St. Petersburg College, New College, Hillsborough Community College and the Pinellas County Center for the Arts.

JEAN PHELAN

Jeanie is a violist and is originally from Daytona Beach, FL.  Jeanie joined the AFM in 1992 and has been an AFM member in Locals in Orlando, Dallas, Shreveport LA, and finally here - Local 427-721 for almost 20 years.  She is a graduate from Stetson University and Northwestern University.  Jeanie currently is Assistant Principal Viola of Southwest Florida Symphony and Section Per-Service Viola of Sarasota Orchestra and subs regularly in Naples Philharmonic, Florida Orchestra, and Orlando Philharmonic.  Jeanie also works part-time in the Local office as assistant to Richard Sparrow.

HAROLD VAN SCHAIK

Harold Van Schaik was appointed bass trombonist with The Florida Orchestra in 1993. Previously he had been with the Honolulu Symphony for three seasons. He has also performed as a substitute or extra musician with the Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Kansas City Symphony and numerous other orchestras across the U.S. Harold received a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and a master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music where he was also awarded the prestigious Performers Certificate.

Outside the symphony world, Harold is an active soloist, clinician, chamber musician and jazz performer. He was awarded first prize at the International Trombone Association solo competition in 1987. He has presented recitals and master classes at Universities and Brass Workshops throughout the country. Harold has also been a featured performer at both the American and International Trombone Festivals in addition to performing as a soloist with the U.S. Military Academy Band, U.S. Army Orchestra, the New Mexico Wind Band, the Honolulu Symphony, The Florida Orchestra and several university performing ensembles. He also performs as a member of the Nay Palm Bones trombone quartet with recordings on the Summit label.

In the jazz and commercial fields, Van Schaik has played with the big bands of Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Tommy Dorsey, Les Brown and Jimmy Dorsey in addition to touring with Natalie Cole, Steve & Eydie, Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra, Jr. He has also recorded numerous soundtracks for movies and television shows, TV and radio jingles as well as background tracks for pop artists. In addition, Harold has performed as a pit musician for several major musicals including “Phantom”, “Les Mis”, “Miss Saigon”, and “Cats”.