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.
July 1, 2026
I have just returned from Ottawa, Ontario, where delegates from across the United States and Canada gathered for the 103rd AFM Convention. This convention marked our first return to Canada for an international legislative session since 1973. It was a week of fierce democracy, intense debate, and common purpose, and I could not be prouder […]
July 1, 2026
Invariably, most instruments place some sort of strain on the body, especially the neck. Pianists and cellists spend long periods slightly hunched forward, leaning into their instruments. Violinists and guitarists tilt their heads for extended periods. Such demanding physicality places undue stress on the upper spine and shoulder muscles. Over time, these positions can result […]
July 1, 2026
As we pause this month to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday on July 4 and Canada’s 159th birthday on July 1, it is important to reflect on the fact that music came first. Before Europeans arrived on our continent, the music of Native Americans was heard on these lands. Each wave of settlers brought […]
June 1, 2026
Federation officers generally come into their positions after having served for a good while as officers of their locals, and in the old days—the really old days—Federation officers’ columns in this paper seemed to be speaking more to local officers than to the general membership. As the baby boomers started taking office in the 1990s, […]
June 1, 2026
As we close out another fiscal year, the financial position of the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) remains strong and stable. Signatory revenue held steady as growth across the music industry matures. US recorded music revenue hit a record of $11.5 billion, a meaningful testament to the ongoing value of music and a direct reflection […]
June 1, 2026
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a final decision on April 30 finding that three Dallas-Fort Worth symphony orchestras committed multiple unfair labor practices when they unilaterally modified their labor agreement with musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic, and ultimately withdrew union recognition altogether. The decision caps a nearly six-year fight by Local 72-147 (Dallas-Fort […]
June 1, 2026
On May 15, the musicians of True Concord Voices and Orchestra voted 31 to 6 to be represented by the Tucson Federation of Musicians, Local 33 (Tucson, AZ). The road to that vote was not short; the musicians first filed a petition with Region 28 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) seeking union representation […]
May 31, 2026
A long-standing agreement was shattered when the Shubert-owned Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia violated a union contract with Local 77-274 (Philadelphia, PA) and decided to run a nonunion production of the musical, Chicago, which opened May 12. The Shubert Organization abruptly fired five union musicians who were hired for the musical’s Philadelphia’s run, an action in […]
May 1, 2026
For musicians who play the Lower Broadway club circuit in downtown Nashville, conversations about what it takes to make a living almost always come down to the same issues: low base pay, erratic tip jar policies, difficult load-in conditions, problems with third party booking agents, and venues that treat performers as an afterthought. Local 257 […]
April 30, 2026
When the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Board of Trustees announced its decision not to renew Music Director Andris Nelsons’ contract earlier this year, the dismissal came as a surprise to audiences and musicians alike. The musicians of the orchestra, whose artistry and commitment have made the BSO one of the most celebrated ensembles in the […]