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.
December 1, 2024
A Look at 2024 Achievements & Challenges During 2024 we saw both remarkable achievements and pressing challenges for our union. We celebrated the resilience and creativity of AFM members when they work together in both groundbreaking performances and impactful advocacy. One quickly developing and significant threat we face is the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence […]
Read MoreDecember 1, 2024
Johann Sebastian Bach’s six suites for unaccompanied cello are widely acknowledged to be the pinnacle of creation for that instrument. Composed between 1717 and 1723, they’re also among the most frequently performed music for solo cello. So, what does one do after studying all six suites? For cellist and composer/arranger Ajibola Rivers of Local 77 […]
Read MoreDecember 1, 2024
Musicians move for a living, but how they move when playing their instruments is not typically part of their training. A body map is literally a picture of your body imprinted on your brain. When the body map accurately represents the true design of the body, we look and feel free, easy, and balanced. Conversely, […]
Read MoreNovember 29, 2024
The new documentary Music by John Williams is a love letter to the man who wrote the soundtrack to modern pop culture: Jaws, Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Schindler’s List, Home Alone, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. There may be no cinematic artist more deserving of a lionizing documentary than Williams of Locals 47 (Los Angeles, […]
Read MoreNovember 29, 2024
In mid-November, Broadway musicians of Local 802 (New York City) ratified a new contract with the Broadway League that will run through August 2025. A living wage and fair benefits were among the issues in negotiations. But, an overarching theme was the continued support of live music at Broadway shows. Local 802 worked to publicize […]
Read MoreNovember 29, 2024
Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District became a hub of musical inspiration and learning as Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO) musicians, members of Local 579 (Jackson, MS), brought live music education to students, teachers, and local partners on October 17. Supported by Save The Music Foundation (STM) and the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF), the event marked […]
Read MoreNovember 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 […]
Read MoreNovember 1, 2024
by Michael Epperhart, Theatrical Trade Negotiator, AFM Theatre/Touring/Booking Division As the newly appointed AFM theatrical trade negotiator, I wanted to provide the backstory of how I came into this role. In addition, I would like to outline my work, goals, and current focus in our AFM community. I spent 15 years on the road with […]
Read MoreNovember 1, 2024
Traveling Musicians Thrive in a Nomadic Lifestyle Performing on a national Broadway tour in different cities across the country sounds like an exciting and rewarding job. According to the four diverse musicians who travel with the Back to the Future: The Musical (BTTF) tour, it is indeed those things—but it also presents unique challenges. Things […]
Read MoreNovember 1, 2024
As you may have read by now, the AFM and HUB International have partnered to offer a wide range of insurance products for AFM members and locals. For working musicians, insurance can be a lifeline—providing critical protection against various risks that musicians face. Whether you freelance full-time or perform regularly with a larger ensemble, business […]
Read More