Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.
As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.
The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.
Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.
October 1, 2026
From last-minute transpositions to complex union contracts, major orchestra librarians explain why their work is fundamentally musical—and why at-will employment puts entire organizations at risk. With a number of AFM orchestras in recent contract negotiations, a spotlight has been turned on orchestra librarians, a segment of an orchestra’s personnel that too often falls under the […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2026
by Jennifer Rhyne, DMA, and flutist of Local 76-493 (Seattle, WA) and Charlie Katica, Ph.D., CSCS For musicians and conductors, the pursuit of artistic excellence may come at a physical cost. Long hours of practice and performance with the upper body in asymmetrical or forward-leaning postures can cause nerve and muscular issues over time. The […]
Read MoreSeptember 30, 2026
Leading by Example and Elevating Women in Brass With a dad like Martin Hackleman—known to brass players around the world as a former horn player with the legendary Canadian Brass, and subsequently the Empire Brass Quintet—one might think that the horn was inevitable for daughter Allene. Not so. “I actually started on the clarinet,” says […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2026
by Allen Fogle, International President, Recording Musicians Association and member of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) This coming spring we return to the bargaining table with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for the film and television contract, and I want you to hear directly from me about where things stand. Reflecting […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2026
by Jamie Vespa, Electronic Media Services Division Contracts Compliance Manager Although it can seem daunting at first, recording your own album is an extremely rewarding experience. The AFM is here to help by offering protective sound recording agreements for you and the musicians you hire. (Please note, the agreements described here are intended for musicians […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2026
The rigor of playing an instrument, performing complex and demanding physical movements on a daily basis, means musicians are at high risk for tendonitis, bursitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Repetitive movement, especially for extended periods, can significantly strain muscles and joints. Back pain and pain of the upper extremities are common, whether it’s shoulder pain […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2026
Versatility on Stage, Activism Behind the Scenes On her Instagram page, violinist and violist Marta Sofia Honer of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) cheekily describes herself as “one-half experimental artist” and “one-half string for hire session rat.” It’s a neat summary of her career, heavily overlain these days with a healthy dose of union activism […]
Read MoreAugust 31, 2026
August 27th, 2026 — The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada will never endorse a trade agreement that threatens Canadian sovereignty. The AFM supports the Canadian government’s sensible decision to suspend trade negotiations with the United States. Ensuring union members can safely and efficiently work across North America remains our top priority. We continue to pursue […]
Read MoreAugust 31, 2026
Today (August 25th), the entire community of professional musicians mourns the loss of an irreplaceable icon and a generous heart: Dolly Parton. While the world knows her as a global superstar and philanthropist, we at the American Federation of Musicians of the US & Canada and Local 257 (Nashville Musicians Association) knew her as a […]
Read MoreAugust 31, 2026
The Department of Commerce has published a request for comment regarding imposing tariffs on “brass-wind instruments and their parts and accessories” along with other steel, aluminum, and copper products. This proposal is the direct result of Conn Selmer closing its Eastlake, Ohio, instrument manufacturing facility. On June 30, Conn Selmer closed the plant that had […]
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