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.
October 1, 2024
by Matt Heller, OCSM Secretary and Member of Local 547 (Calgary, AB) Few saw it coming, and those who did saw no way around it: as of 2024, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony (KWS) would cease to exist. Founded in 1945, KWS had been a pillar of the arts community in a thriving region known as a tech […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2024
by Steve Wade, ROPA President and member of Local 400 (Hartford-New Haven, CT) The Regional Orchestra Players’ Association (ROPA) held its 40th Anniversary Conference in San Francisco, California, July 29 through August 1. The schedule of speakers and presenters proved to be an informative and exciting experience for all in attendance for ROPA’s 40th anniversary. […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2024
Chronic neck pain stems largely from poor posture and daily exertion. Taking simple measures to realign one’s body can decrease the odds of having to live with chronic pain. Our bodies are designed to work in concert with gravity. Poor posture causes a slew of problems such as inflammation, nerve compression, and limited range of […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2024
Chris McDonald Jazz Orchestra Veteran orchestrator and trombonist Chris McDonald of Local 257 (Nashville, TN) has been an accomplished composer and arranger of big band music for decades. It’s About Time, his ninth studio album, is a contemporary jazz odyssey of eight original compositions and arrangements of two cover songs. The album features an all-star […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2024
Delirium Street Party Brass Limited Pressing Recording This ensemble from Local 547 (Calgary, AB) delivers a fresh take on the increasingly popular brass band genre. Anchored by the low bass line from the sousaphone, Delirium Street Party Brass blends elements from world street brass and percussion traditions—especially New Orleans—but in a live pop format. Musicians […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2024
Terry Klinefelter On her newest CD, pianist Terry Klinefelter of Local 45 (Allentown, PA) shines a spotlight on the work of much-admired composers and friends David Bennett Thomas, Ron Thomas, and Grammy-nominated composer Clarice Assad. The solo piece, “Tarry Not,” written for Klinefelter by Bennett Thomas in 2011, is a large-scale structure with stark virtuosity. […]
Read MoreSeptember 28, 2024
As Donald Trump faces a wave of complaints from musicians, a judge has ruled against him in a case over his unauthorized use of Eddy Grant’s famed 1980s jam, “Electric Avenue.” The judgment comes more than four years after the initial complaint was filed in September 2020. In a Manhattan court, a federal judge ruled […]
Read MoreSeptember 28, 2024
The AFM was proud to be among the many sponsoring guests at the annual banquet with Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) on September 15 at the Sheraton Los Angeles San Gabriel. Chu, who has long been a friend to musicians, is running for reelection to continue representing the 28th District in the US House. “I so […]
Read MoreSeptember 28, 2024
Ten years ago the recording industry’s Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) created MusicianFest, an initiative to sponsor musical performances in senior centers, assisted living facilities, and hospitals. Over the course of the decade, the grants have funded over 7,500 events at an investment of over $2.5 million. “MusicianFest has been spearheaded by Director of Grant […]
Read MoreSeptember 5, 2024
On September 4, AFM members and supporters gathered to kick off negotiations for a new Live TV and Video contract with the major networks. Led by the Five Borough Brass band, members of AFM Local 802 (New York City), the rally brought together musicians and other entertainment union members to advocate for fair compensation and […]
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