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.
Most advanced student and professional bows are made of Pernambuco wood from the threatened Pernambuco tree native to the Atlantic forests in Brazil. The AFM, in collaboration with League of American Orchestras and other organizations, has created a “Know Your Bow” campaign to help bow owners document basic facts about the wood used in their […]
Read MoreArmy veteran and Local 40-543 (Baltimore, MD) member Chuck Cook is running to represent District 33B in the Maryland House of Delegates. After advancing from the June primary, Cook is now focusing his campaign momentum entirely on the November general election. Cook’s platform focuses heavily on labor protection, community service, and robust advocacy for working […]
Read MoreMembers of the Boston Musicians Association, Local 9-535 (Boston, MA), joined nurses and clinicians on the picket line at Brigham and Women’s Hospital on July 9, standing in solidarity with members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) amid what became the largest healthcare labor dispute in Massachusetts history. On July 8, approximately 4,000 registered nurses […]
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On June 16, drummer Harold Jones, a member of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA), was honored by the Musicians’ Enduring Legacy Organization (MELO) at a private event at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s famed Appel Room in New York City. MELO’s mission is to tell the stories of musicians, whether household names or lesser-known players, who […]
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How the determined DPO players committee is leveraging resources, local solidarity, and public outreach to stand up to bad-faith management. It’s an unfortunate reality that orchestra boards and managements typically never learn from a repeatedly proven lesson: they can’t cut their way to financial health. The industry is filled with examples of orchestras over past […]
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The AFM honored George Fiddler, director of the Theatre, Touring, Booking Division and Immigration Services, with the AFM Lifetime Achievement Award. This distinction celebrates Fiddler’s decades of steadfast leadership, unwavering professional integrity, and tireless advocacy on behalf of professional musicians worldwide. The son of legendary violinist Manny Fiddler, George followed his father’s advice and joined […]
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