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.
August 1, 2018
The Nashville Symphony Orchestra and its musicians, members of Local 257 (Nashville, TN), have announced a new four-year contract that goes into effect August 1.
Read MoreAugust 1, 2018
In June, Spokane Symphony management and its musicians, members of Local 105 (Spokane, WA), ratified a new three-year contract.
Read MoreAugust 1, 2018
Having meaningful human contact with a trusted friend can make a huge difference to someone suffering from depression. Reach out to them, making it clear that it is safe for them to tell you how they feel without fearing judgment, pity, or guilt.
Read MoreAugust 1, 2018
At just 23, Ruth Berhe, who goes by Ruth B., still seems stunned by her own sudden success. A talented vocalist and pianist with a longtime passion for music, she was planning to become a lawyer when music took over her life.
Read MoreJuly 30, 2018
Wagechart is an online platform where most current, as well as historic, data about wages and working conditions for symphony orchestras affiliated to the players conferences are collected and made available for ad hoc industry analysis.
Read MoreJuly 28, 2018
Musicmaide Stand Clips and Portfolio are simple, hassle-free solutions to this problem. They firmly secure sheet music and books against the wind, while allowing for fast song transitions and easy page turns.
Read MoreJuly 27, 2018
Seated directly in front of the brass section, he suffered acoustic shock, the result of sound that exceeded 130 decibels.
Read MoreJuly 25, 2018
The Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 digital reverb pedal features 11 reverbs—Hall, Spring, Plate, Revrs, Echo, Trem, Mod, Dyna, Auto-Inf, Shim, and Poly—and with its mode button users can select up to three variations of many of them.
Read MoreJuly 24, 2018
Four national union presidents—Lee Saunders (AFSCME); Lily Eskelsen-Garcia (NEA); Mary Kay Henry (SEIU); and Randi Weingarten (AFT)—displayed their solidarity at the AFT Convention in mid July.
Read MoreJuly 23, 2018
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released its 2018 Employment Outlook report, which reviews labor trends and prospects in the 36 OECD countries.
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