“It was a series of setbacks that I experienced as a result of rheumatoid arthritis … I had seven surgeries, and two of the seven I ended up contacting the (Musicians’ Emergency Relief Fund) MAP program for assistance with managing my finances during those periods of long recuperation.

“Orthopedic surgeries take a long amount of time. You have to put three months aside, and you have to figure out a plan of survival …the people at ERF were very helpful, understanding warm and professional … They helped me with maintaining my rent, my car insurance and other expenses that were going to go over the top.

“Without my ability to earn money, even though I am retired and on disability, that wasn’t enough, I always had to supplement my income with additional work. They came through for me, because I couldn’t make the ends meet without some help. They were very crucial.”

Gail Hightower (1946-2024), bassoonist and Local 802 member