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.
September 2, 2014
THE REAL BOOK, volume 1, SIXTH Edition The Real Book is Hal Leonard’s answer to the many poorly designed and inaccurate fake books on the market. This sixth edition contains rearranged, retranscribed, and licensed tunes from major jazz composers of the last 60 years to study accurately and legally. As an added bonus, […]
Read MoreSeptember 2, 2014
Neil Young FAQ Music journalist Glen Boyd’s Neil Young FAQ presents a definitive guide to the Local 47 (Los Angeles) member and iconic songwriter. It covers every song and album in painstaking detail, from his solo work and live recordings, to work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Boyd includes […]
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Project Management For Musicians This book will help you get organized and take charge of your music projects, harness your creativity and visions, and succeed. It covers everything from budgeting, management, and copyright to problem solving and mitigating risks. Whether you want to record, tour, launch your own studio, or promote concerts, this […]
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At the 99th AFM Convention locals were urged to establish their own organizing committees. As the result of that request, Local 180 (Ottawa-Gatineau, ON) set to work creating a committee to foster external and internal organizing efforts—in other words, to develop programs that focus on mobilizing current membership. “In September 2013, we created a Local […]
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Over Neil Sedaka’s long career he’s been known for writing songs that catch your ear and make you want to sing along. Hit recordings like “Calendar Girl” (1961) “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” (two versions 1962 and 1975), “Laughter in the Rain” (1974), and “The Immigrant” (1975) made him a household name for several […]
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The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra (HSO), which was formed following the closure of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra in 2011, has ratified a new two-year musicians’ contract. The new agreement covers the orchestra’s 84 musicians through June 2016 and provides for two additional weeks each season. HSO plans to expand the diversity of its programming and develop […]
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Musicians of the Oregon Symphony have signed a one-year contract extension, through August 2015. The Oregon Symphony Association recently hired a new president and the musicians wanted him to have time to become more familiar with the organization before negotiating a new contract. Negotiations are expected to begin in spring or summer 2015. Musicians have […]
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At the end of June, musicians of the North Carolina Symphony ratified a two-year agreement that will be effective through August 2016. The season length will remain at 39 weeks and musicians will receive modest salary increases each year. Whereas language in the previous contract stated that the orchestra would make best efforts to fill […]
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The South Florida Musicians Association encourages members of its community to boycott the South Florida Symphony (SFS). The symphony is delinquent in paying wages to its musicians; many have yet to be paid for any of the work they performed in 2014 and only recently received payment for the work they performed in November 2013. […]
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Musicians and management of The Metropolitan Opera reached a tentative agreement the morning of August 18 after an all-night bargaining session, avoiding a lockout threatened by opera management. Federal mediators stepped in late in July. In August, Eugene Kelin, co-founder of KPS Capital Partners, was brought in to conduct an independent financial analysis. A tentative […]
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