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.
July 1, 2016
At some point the number of practice hours may hurt rather than help. Consider focused practice segments with different goals in each session. Rote repetition for extended periods of time has not proven successful.
Read MoreJuly 1, 2016
Knowledge of contracts is a must for every touring artist. A contract ensures that both parties communicate their understanding of the details of an engagement. And it binds both parties to honor its provisions.
Read MoreJuly 1, 2016
This summer our conference will be at the Hotel Arts in Calgary. All are invited to attend the open sessions August 9-11.
Read MoreJuly 1, 2016
What did impress me was the thousands of people in Orlando lining up to give blood following the appeal of local hospitals. There are always more people wanting to help than there are people wanting to hurt.
Read MoreJuly 1, 2016
Globally, symphony orchestras have had to creatively engage with their communities and audiences in the past several years to increase their health and sustainability, and Canadian orchestras are no exception. These four orchestras from different regions of the country are trying new ways to communicate with and educate the younger generation, while they develop broader audiences across all age groups
Read MoreJuly 1, 2016
Most seasoned orchestra committee members and local officers know that they are entitled to information from their orchestra during negotiations. Did you also know that the local is also entitled to information to help administer the contract, when it is not in negotiations?
Read MoreJuly 1, 2016
I come from the pre-computer/pre-smartphone era of writing letters and making telephone calls with a rotary dial phone (I even remember our family sharing a “party line”). In this electronic age, many of us feel challenged to maintain communication that has more substance than an impersonal conference call, quick text, or group email.
Read MoreJuly 1, 2016
What exactly is revenue sharing and how does it work under symphonic media agreements? Those are questions we frequently hear in the Symphonic Services Division. Join me now on an exploration of everything you ever wanted to know about the subject of revenue sharing.
Read MoreJuly 1, 2016
With the support of the Symphonic Players’ Conferences we created a new website dedicated to wage charts from both a historical and comparative standpoint. Data from the collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) has been collected in wage charts for many years.
Read MoreJuly 1, 2016
Orchestra musicians enjoy a unique representational structure. Our voice to the employer is strengthened, and perhaps made more credible, through the participation of our elected colleagues who serve on orchestra and negotiating committees alongside elected union officials.
Read More