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.

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Orchestra News

Puerto Rico Symphony Musicians Launch ‘Save the Symphony’ Campaign

The musicians of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra (PRSO), members of Local 555 (San Juan, PR), are launching a campaign titled Salvemos la Sinfónica (Save the Symphony) to generate interest and support for the PRSO’s dire financial situation, and to pressure local politicians and lawmakers into assisting the orchestra. The PRSO operational budget has been […]


Indianapolis Symphony Ratifies One-Year Agreement

Musicians and management of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) reached a one-year contract agreement, which will be effective through August 29, 2021. ISO musicians, members of Local 3 (Indianapolis, IN), will be paid a weekly stipend of $500 from January to August 2021—approximately a third of their previous salary. While the originally announced 2020-21 season […]


Boston Symphony Orchestra Ratifies New Labor Agreement

The musicians of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, members of Local 9-535 (Boston, MA), ratified a new three-year labor agreement that went into effect on August 24, 2020, and runs through August 27, 2023. In response to COVID-19-related revenue loss of $35 million, the agreement includes a compensation reduction averaging 37% in the first year of […]


Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Musicians Reach Five-Year Agreement

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Inc. (BSO) and its musicians, members of Local 40-543 (Baltimore, MD), have reached a five-year agreement on a new contract that begins on September 7, 2020. This five-year contract provides foundational stability and marks the first long-term agreement since a three-year contract expired in 2016. Central to the agreement is an […]


Fort Worth Ratifies One-Year Agreement

On April 30, the musicians of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, members of Local 72-147 (Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX), ratified a one-year agreement that runs from August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021. The musicians were pleased that there were no cuts in pay or benefits reflected in this agreement. The orchestra continues to maintain 100% […]


Professional Development Course Coming on “Advancing an Anti-Racist Orchestra Model”

This fall, Alex Laing, principal clarinet for the Phoenix Symphony and member of Local 586 (Phoenix, AZ), will lead a five-week, online professional development course for professional musicians in The Juilliard School’s Evening Division. “Advancing an Anti-Racist Orchestra Model: A Course for Professional Musicians,” is a new offering aimed at helping professional musicians who want […]


San Diego Symphony Agrees to New Contract

In a CBA modified to address the financial challenges of COVID-19, musicians of the San Diego Symphony—represented by Local 325 (San Diego, CA)—have accepted a pay cut of approximately 33% for the 2020/21 season, with a reduction in working weeks from 42 to 24. Musicians will not receive cartage, seniority, or move up pay; and […]


Kansas City Symphony Takes Pay Cuts

Musicians of the Kansas City Symphony recently ratified a one-year agreement modifying the 2020-21 season. Musicians will take a 19% pay cut for the 2020-21 season—part of the organization’s goal to trim expenses overall by 25%. A hiring freeze will leave vacant positions unfilled. When the orchestra again begins holding ticketed performances at its concert […]


Utah Symphony Ratifies Modified One-Year Waiver

On August 16, the musicians of the Utah Symphony—members of Local 104 (Salt Lake City, UT)—ratified a COVID-19 Waiver Agreement modification to their four-year agreement that runs through August 31, 2022; the waiver agreement runs from August 31, 2020 through May 29, 2021. Utah musicians have been furloughed since the end of May and will […]


Jacksonville Symphony Ratifies Four-Year Agreement

On August 15, the musicians of the Jacksonville Symphony ratified a new four-year agreement that begins September 21, 2020; the current contract has been extended for an additional two years through September 3, 2024. The musicians and staff of the Jacksonville Symphony have agreed to 10% salary reductions in an effort to mitigate the damage […]








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