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.
Let me start by saying that I was delighted to attend the Kennedy Center Honors on December 8, and it was truly an amazing event, especially to see our members front and center, along with our SAG-AFTRA siblings. As we begin 2025, our negotiations with the television networks for a successor to the Television Videotape […]
Read MoreJust the facts, ma’am Just as there is a season for the cold, dry Arctic air to sweep across the Canadian tundra, so is there a season for a Secretary-Treasurer to dust the reader’s eyes with cold, dry financial information. As a rank-and-file member, I often found this kind of information to be singularly uninteresting, […]
Read MoreAs we begin the new year, we are reminded that music has always been both a reflection of our times and a force that shapes them. From symphonies that capture the human spirit to the driving beats of modern pop, music is a timeless language that connects us all. Yet, as we move forward into […]
Read MoreAn entry from the diary of Anne Halkett on January 2, 1671, a writer and member of the Scottish gentry, entitled “Resolutions,” referenced this pledge: “I will not offend anymore.” This would indicate that the practice of making New Year’s resolutions dates back at least a few hundred years. We have all experienced beginning a […]
Read MoreDefining the role of the Freelance Services Division is almost as difficult as defining a freelance musician—there are different facets, functions, and skills leading to a single label or classification. Much like freelancers, our goal has always been to keep the department as nimble, diverse, and as adaptive as possible. Addressing the needs of independent […]
Read Moreby Rasteen Karami, FMSMF Manager of Community Relations As we enter 2025, the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund (FMSMF) reflects back on a great first year under its new leadership team. FMSMF is now led by Executive Director Brian Sickles, who previously served as chief operating officer for three years. Mike Hoffmann, our newest addition, […]
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