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.
May 1, 2025
Growing up as the only child of Korean parentage in his small Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, community, John Yun, music director of the surprise Broadway hit Maybe Happy Ending in New York’s Belasco Theatre, says he didn’t really see the piano as his future. “I wasn’t a great student,” Yun remembers. “I kind of did the […]
Read MoreMay 1, 2025
On March 25, students at Bucher Elementary School embarked on a thrilling music adventure with the Music in the Schools program and Local 294’s “Around the World in 50 Minutes! A Supersonic Musical Journey with the Sensational String Family.” The program introduced the young learners to stringed instruments, showcasing the vibrant sounds and unique characteristics […]
Read MoreMay 1, 2025
Fred Irby III, longtime AFM member, trumpeter, music professor, and founder of the legendary Howard University Jazz Ensemble (HUJE), has retired after 51 years. Irby had planned to retire in 2024, only to be persuaded by his students to stay on for one more year. Though he won’t be on the bandstand, Irby says he’ll […]
Read MoreMay 1, 2025
Musicians can suffer from a number of on-the-job injuries from repetitive practice and playing—carpal tunnel, tinnitus, and neck strain. However, the muscles behind the eyes are commonly overworked and overlooked. Your eyes were not designed to scan sheet music with tiny figures for extended periods. For wind instrument players, high-pitched notes can double eye pressure—possibly […]
Read MoreApril 1, 2025
Harmony and Dissonance: Music, Marriage, and Eastern Music Festival Contract Negotiations It’s not uncommon to find couples working in the same orchestra, and most orchestras in the US can count at least one such partnership among their ranks. Rarely, an existing couple will win auditions for jobs in the same orchestra. More often, they meet […]
Read MoreApril 1, 2025
After more than 30 years of service to both the local and international Federation, Local 94 (Tulsa, OK) Secretary-Treasurer Tammy Kirk announced her retirement. Upon election as secretary-treasurer in 1991, the flutist became the first woman ever elected to office at the local. Nationally, Kirk has served on several AFM Convention committees, including the Finance […]
Read MoreApril 1, 2025
An Advocate for Autism Awareness Stuart Ross Carlson, a violinist and violist of Local 625 (Ann Arbor, MI), is a wunderkind of sorts. At 28, he’s already established a name for himself in the world of classical music. He’s a member of Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and a regular performer and soloist with the Michigan Philharmonic. […]
Read MoreApril 1, 2025
–by Matteo Costanzi, author of The Athletic Musician: Integrating Sport Strategies for Better Practice and Performance Most people think of music and sports as two very different worlds. One is about artistry and emotion, the other about strength and endurance. But in reality, they share a lot—dedication, discipline, and the need for smart, structured training. […]
Read MoreMarch 31, 2025
This year, the AFM had a strong presence at the Folk Alliance International (FAI) conference, the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry. The event took place at Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel, Montreal, Quebec, February 19-23. The comprehensive conference featured tailored business opportunities and hundreds of showcase performances celebrating a diverse range of […]
Read MoreMarch 31, 2025
Musicians of Local 433 (Austin, TX) leafleted the South By Southwest (SXSW) festival on March 14 and 15 to raise awareness about exploitative working conditions and to inform musicians about the musicians’ union. Local 433 members braved the heat to have productive conversations with attendees as well as musicians at the festival. They handed out […]
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