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, 2023
by Bernard LeBlanc, AFM Symphonic Services, Canada, Directorand Richard Sandals, AFM Symphonic Services, Canada, Associate Director In the AFM Symphonic Services Division (SSD), we get a lot of questions—often from management, but sometimes from a member, a local, or an orchestra committee—that remind us of a question you might have heard several million times from […]
Read MoreAugust 1, 2023
by Steve Wade, ROPA President and member of Local 400 (Hartford-New Haven, CT) It’s that most wonderful time of the year: conference season for all of the AFM’s player conferences. By the time you’re reading this article, the Regional Orchestra Players Association (ROPA) will have concluded its 40th Conference, held July 25-27 at the Courtland […]
Read MoreAugust 1, 2023
by Paul Austin, ICSOM President and member of Local 56 (Grand Rapids, MI) The 61st annual conference of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) will be hosted by AFM Local 8 (Milwaukee, WI), and the musicians of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO). The conference will be held from Wednesday, August 23, through […]
Read MoreAugust 1, 2023
by Robert Fraser, OCSM President and member of Local 247 (Victoria, BC) The 48th annual Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians (OCSM) Conference will be held August 14-17 at Hotel Ruby Foo’s in Montreal, Quebec. Local 406 (Montreal, PQ) has made a generous donation toward our conference. We look forward to having close to a full […]
Read MoreAugust 1, 2023
Musicians are susceptible to any number of performance-related injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome and joint pain. But, let’s face it, the eyes and ears do the heavy lifting in performance. As a focus of health and wellness, vision is often taken for granted. Focusing on small notes on a page for long periods of time, […]
Read MoreAugust 1, 2023
by Adam DeSorgo, AFM Symphonic Services Division Negotiator Chicago has historically been a stronghold for labor. From the Haymarket Affair in 1886 that crystallized the campaign for the eight-hour day, to the Chicago Teacher’s Union strike in 2012, this tradition continues to the present day. Labor has one of its own as the mayor of […]
Read MoreJuly 31, 2023
In mid-July, the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) went on strike, joining the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in calling for better pay and job security, and drawing attention to disparities in the film and television industry that have grown wider in the streaming boom. The strike came […]
Read MoreJuly 3, 2023
The 102nd Convention of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada was held June 26 through June 29, 2023 at the Westgate Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The theme “In Unity, There Is Strength” was reflected in the various discourse among the delegates and echoed by many guest speakers. […]
Read MoreJuly 3, 2023
by Marc Sazer, Recording Musicians Association President and Member of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) and Local 802 (New York City) Why should residuals for recording musicians in a few mostly big cities matter? Our goal of achieving a fair streaming residual isn’t just for recording musicians. The industry standard “fixed” residual is paid through […]
Read MoreJuly 3, 2023
by Heather Boehm, Theatre Musicians Association President and Member of Local 10-208 (Chicago, IL) Greetings from the pit! There is much to report, so let’s get to it. The latest extension of the Pamphlet B/Short Engagement Touring (SET) Agreement expires on August 27. Musicians can expect negotiations for a successor agreement to commence later this […]
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