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Rachel Pine Performs for Homeless Shelter

January 28, 2015

The largest homeless shelter in Washing D.C. the D.C. Community for Creative Non Violence, which feeds over a thousand homeless people, experienced a world renowned guest – professional violinist Rachel Barton Pine. She has played around the world and is internationally known, but she decided to play for only a dozen people this time.

Don’t Let the Flu and Colds Get You Down

January 27, 2015

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February is generally the peak month for flu activity. This season has been dominated by H3N2 viruses, which generally lead to more severe illness.

Join the Working Musician Newsletter

January 27, 2015

The International Musician will be launching a new AFM Working Musician Connection weekly e-newsletter sent by request to current members and to all new AFM members. This AFM Working Musician Connection will offer advice to get more gigs, promote the benefits of AFM membership, and help musicians feel more connect to the AFM. Sign up today by clicking the link below.

Jacksonville Symphony Agrees to New Contract

January 27, 2015

The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (JSO) has ratified a new contract that covers musicians through the 2016/2017 season. Negotiations for the previous contract were difficult, and ended with an 11% salary cut.

BPO Marks Successful Year

January 27, 2015

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) continued its trend of balanced budgets in FY 2014, thanks in part to a 6.2% increase in ticket sales. Nearly 200,000 people heard BPO perform more than 100 concerts.

The New Symphony Opera or Ballet Integrated Media Agreement

January 27, 2015

On December 18, 2014, the AFM reached agreement with the Employers’ Electronic Media Association (EMA) for a successor Integrated Media Agreement (IMA) covering symphony, opera, and ballet orchestras working under collective bargaining agreements in the US.

Organizing and Research – A One-Two Punch

January 27, 2015

It has often been said that organizing is the lifeblood of the labor movement. Without a doubt, there is nothing more powerful than workers coming together and marching in lockstep toward a common goal. Whether it’s pushing for worker-friendly legislation, bargaining contracts, addressing issues on the shop floor, or fighting for union recognition and respect from our employers and the industry, we must either organize or perish.

AFM Cellist Appointed to Order of Canada

January 27, 2015

Cellist Denis Brott, a member of AFM Local 406 (Montreal, PQ), was appointed Member of the Order of Canada in December 2014.

Union Members Among 30 Highest Paid Musicians

January 27, 2015

Several union members were among Forbes’ list of the highest earning musicians. The figures include money from touring, record sales, publishing royalties, merchandise, endorsements, and other business ventures, during the June 2013 to June 2014 fiscal year

Republicans’ First Target: Social Security

January 27, 2015

As the Republican majority House of Representatives got to work in January, they set to work to cut Social Security almost immediately. Buried in a package of rule changes, was a provision that the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) says would: “allow a 20% benefit cut for millions of disabled Americans, unless there are broader Social Security benefit cuts or tax increases improving the solvency of the combined trust funds.”