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 ABOUT THE AFM

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Musicians Fight Back: EMF Artists Host Free Concert After 2025 Festival Canceled

When the Eastern Music Festival (EMF) management canceled the 2025 season in February, citing an inability to reach an agreement with the musicians, the musicians responded with their own concert and rally. The June 30 concert and rally was standing room only, with more than 600 people in attendance and approximately 4,000 people watching the […]

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Rocke’s Mission to Elevate the Contrabassoon and DEI in Classical Music

With diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives under attack on multiple fronts in our current political climate, it stands to reason one of the ways to counter these threats is greater visibility. So believes Kai Rocke, a member of Local 99 (Portland, OR) and a bassoonist and contrabassoonist with Oregon Symphony. “At a very basic […]

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MPTF Events Celebrate Juneteenth

The recording industry’s Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) distributed $193,000 in grants to support admission-free, live concerts in recognition of Juneteenth National Independence Day. “Music is the soundtrack of history, and the music created and performed through the African American experience is a vital and essential part of our country’s legacy,” says MPTF Trustee Dan […]

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It’s Time to Bring Film and Television Scoring Back to Musicians on This Side of the Atlantic

Before 2010, New York and Los Angeles were the leading centers for film scoring. Due to producers’ desire to cut costs, most nonsignatory film scoring has been done overseas in recent years. Although scoring makes up a small portion of a blockbuster film’s budget, often less than .05%, by 2018 most film productions that didn’t […]

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Hip-Hop’s Billion-Dollar Beat Deserves Union Protection

Hip-hop has long been a global economic force. Hip-hop and R&B accounted for over 25% of all US streams in 2024. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), in 2022, hip-hop generated $15.9 billion from music streams and purchases alone. Yet, behind the impressive streaming numbers and sold-out tours lies a harsh reality: […]

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Organizing Through Inclusion: Building Union Power Through Calling In

by the AFM Diversity Committee Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are essential to organizing union workers because they strengthen the foundation of solidarity. At the heart of effective organizing is the one-on-one conversation—a strategy rooted in trust, empathy, and mutual respect. DEIA principles enhance these conversations by encouraging listening over speaking, openness over defensiveness, […]

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Strategy in Organizing: You Gotta Have a Plan!

by Gabe Kristal, AFM Organizing Services Director and Assistant to the President It has been my great honor to be director of Organizing for the American Federation of Musicians for the last year and a half. During this time, I have been able to assess organizing potential and opportunities for growth across our represented areas. […]

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Vista Philharmonic Orchestra Musicians Organize for Union Protection

The International Musician regularly features success stories about musical groups that have organized under the Federation. These victories illustrate how working musicians can receive fair treatment and a living wage through AFM membership. Such achievements not only strengthen our union, they also enhance the resilience of the music industry. Successful organizing campaigns are always gratifying […]

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Playing on the Road, Eating on the Run: Choose Healthier

If you’re a touring musician, you know how difficult it is to find healthy food between gigs. Fast food and unwanted restaurant calories add up quickly as they are usually loaded with sodium, saturated fat, and sugar. Granted, nothing is going to be as healthy as a home cooked meal, where you control the ingredients, […]

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We Are Canadian! As One We Stand

Single by Brant Garratt, Leisa Way, Limited Pressing Agreement The song “We Are Canadian! As One We Stand” was written by 89-year-old retired Royal Canadian Mountie Ellis Pringle Craig, with music composed by Carey Blackwell. The song was produced by bandleader Leisa Way of Local 226 (Kitchener, ON), featuring performances by multi-instrumentalist and arranger Bruce […]

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