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.

Find Out More Find Your Local
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AFM



Home » Electronic Media Services » A Brief Introduction to EMSD


A Brief Introduction to EMSD

September 9, 2016

  -  

Patrick-Varrialeby Patrick Varriale, Director AFM Electronic Media Services Division and Assistant to the President

It is with great pride that I present to you this year’s International Musician focus issue dedicated to musicians that perform or plan to perform services in the world of electronic media (nonsymphonic) and the division of the AFM that serves and protects the interests of those musicians—the Electronic Media Services Division (EMSD). Our cover story features Brent Mason, a session guitarist, whose résumé spans more than 35 years, and has been a union member in good standing for all of those years.

On this site you will find articles from EMSD staff that we hope all readers will find of interest. We’ve covered the gamut, from the importance of seeing to it that your recorded product is properly covered to the emerging world of new media. In addition, there is an article from Recording Musicians Association (RMA) President Marc Sazer you should read. I am grateful to him for his contribution to this issue.

We also have an up-to-date list of the dedicated staff ready to assist you in their particular fields of expertise. I am very proud of the folks that work tirelessly in this division—they make my life so much easier. Thanks to their efforts, we have been able to expand our services even more to address the myriad of tasks and projects that we encounter on a day-to-day basis.

This issue also includes a reprint of “Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Electronic Media” authored by EMSD Alumnus Michael Manley (now the director of the AFM Touring/Theatre/Booking Division), a revised version of “Top 10 Reasons to Record AFM”.

So, please take some time to sit back, relax, and read these articles, as well as the material we have provided. Let us know if you have any questions or comments.

My Overview of the AFM Convention

In June, I participated in the 100th Convention of the AFM. With only two exceptions, I have had the honor of attending all conventions as part of the setup team that oversees the inner workings of this momentous event.

However, this year’s convention was different for me on two fronts. It was my first as co-coordinator with Assistant to the President Ken Shirk. Ken did a masterful job and I was happy to work with him in leading our talented and hardworking “crew” through the months in advance detailed preparation process and the volume of “on the ground” moving parts at the actual event. The fact that it took place at a new venue, with a new hotel staff to work with, made it all the more challenging and the success of it all the more rewarding.

It was also my first convention in the capacity of EMSD director. It was quite daunting, to say the least, to see to it that the heavy volume of activity in the EMSD New York, West Coast, and Canadian offices continued to run like a well-oiled machine, while at the same time taking on the many responsibilities as co-coordinator of this landmark convention.

Among EMSD’s “eleventh hour” projects I simultaneously attended to were: speaking with and preparing agreements for producers and attorneys to cover employment for our musicians; advising local officers and members; meeting project deadlines; providing time sensitive information to our counsel; and conducting research for the next round of recording agreement negotiations.

I owe my ability to juggle a wide variety of projects and multitasking to many years of experience working with former EMSD Director and mentor Dick Gabriel. There was no one better than Dick at evaluating multiple tasks and devoting the time necessary to see to it that all aspects of a given project were given the attention required. Not all of them came to fruition, but many of them did.

I have been with the AFM for 42 years, and the enthusiasm I feel from helping make our convention run smoothly and the satisfaction I experience from representing the interests of recording musicians never get old. And to accomplish them on these levels I can’t help but find it truly amazing.






NEWS

Taking Care of Business – Recording 101: What You Need to Know

November 1, 2024

En Francais – Prendre ses affaires en main – enregistrement 101 : ce qu’il faut savoir One thing that has changed exponentially over the last few years is the ability to come up with a great recording, without spending days in a studio. Great quality home recording projects are happening everywhere. With the advancement of software […]

Organizing Department Gets Out the Vote

November 1, 2024

by Gabe Kristal, AFM Director of Organizing Though many members will receive their copy of International Musician after the election results are in, we wanted to highlight the importance of voting and our efforts, right up to the last minute, to help ensure we get out the vote. The AFM understands the 2024 presidential election […]

Local 4 Organizes Another Bargaining Unit with Cleveland Institute of Music Faculty

October 30, 2024

The faculty of the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) overwhelmingly voted to approve Cleveland Federation of Musicians, Local 4 (Cleveland, OH), as their exclusive bargaining representative. The election was conducted September 25-26, under the rules and regulations of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). “CIM, following Cleveland Ballet and Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, represents the third […]





https://totoabadi25.com/ abadicash abadislot Menara368 royalbola abadislot abadislot menara368 abadicash menara368 totoabadi Menara368