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.
January 11, 2016
IM -November 28-December 6 saw the launch of the Dallas Opera’s first week-long Institute for Women Conductors. Working to address a long-standing career issue in the opera world, Dallas Opera launched the unique, new residential program designed to provide training and career support for distinctively talented women conductors. Dallas Opera CEO Keith Cerny noticed for years a lack of women conductors or managers and launched the institute to deepen the pool.
The initial offering led to 103 applicants from 26 countries who submitted résumés and videos for consideration. From that pool, Cerny, Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, and Dallas Opera Principal Guest Conductor Nicole Paiement chose six fellows and four observers from around the world, all of whom are professional musicians. Among them were Stephanie Rhodes, a member of Local 161-710 (Washington, DC) and Jessica Gethin from Australia.
“I was so thrilled to see The Dallas Opera offer such an innovative initiative for female conductors to further develop their opera skills on the podium,” says Gethin. “As a young, female, Australian conductor based in Perth, the opportunity to be a part of the inaugural Institute for Women Conductors is invaluable at this stage of my conducting career.”