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.
December 1, 2014
The Philadelphia Orchestra ended its 2014 fiscal year with a small surplus of $670,000 on its $39.6 million budget, showing the orchestra’s turnaround since emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy two years ago. The 2013-2014 season was a great success for the orchestra. Ticket revenue was up from previous seasons—$14.1 million, compared to $11.4 million in […]
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Last week on H.E.A.R. Day New York a panel of medical and health experts discussed the importance of improving hearing conservations for performers, professionals, and those who enjoy listening to music as well. This year Les Paul was honored with the H.E.A.R Leadership Award. Kathy Peck, ED of H.E.A.R. has this to say: “Les Paul […]
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A leaked internal Walmart memo urged store managers to improve lagging sales over the past 18 months by keeping shelves stocked, among other tips. However, the memo also ignores two of the more obvious solutions to the chain’s woes: giving workers adequate hours and paying them a living wage of $15 per hour. “Understaffing, from […]
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Baltimore Symphony Orchestra gathered data for classical performances by 21 major American orchestras on the 2014-2015 season and uncovered some interesting statistics. Those orchestras will perform 1,000 different pieces by 286 different composers for a total of almost 4,600 times. The average year of composition for the pieces is 1886, and only 9.5% were written […]
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Financial Health Restored AFM Secretary-Treasurer Sam Folio announced in the May IM that the financial health of the AFM had been restored thanks to cost cutting measures. He also announced that the AFM was considering the possibility of purchasing a space in lieu of continuing to rent. In the June issue, AFM President Ray Hair […]
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Warner Music Group announced a $100,000 prize for young classical musicians between the ages of 18 and 35. The award, presented in association with Carnegie Hall, is funded by billionaire industrialist Len Blavatnik who purchased Warner in 2011. Sixteen candidates from Carnegie Hall’s 2014-2015 roster are in the running for the first award. The Blavatnik […]
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The holiday season is a time for numerous music events, late nights and celebrations. Unfortunately, it is also the time a year when your voice is at greatest risk due to cold weather, excessive talking over crowds and loud music, and the many active viruses that are circulating. Damage that occurs in December can last […]
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by Robert Baird, President Baird Artists Management (BAM!) My column “Getting Merchandise Across Borders” (October 2014 IM) prompted some questions on dealing with the sale of merchandise once you’ve gotten it into the country. We all know about “under-the-table” sales, but we should also be aware of the regulations regarding tax on merchandise—sales tax or […]
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by Dennis Dreith, Executive Director AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund Background and Beginnings The AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund was initially established as a joint project of the AFM and AFTRA (prior to its merger with SAG) for the purpose of distributing royalties stemming from various statutory provisions in US copyright law, and […]
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The Kentucky GOP promised to put the Bluegrass State in the “right to work” column, if they flipped the Democratic-majority state House of Representatives. A slew of GOP radio, TV, and print ads touted the right to work law with claims that the measure would lead to thousands of good jobs in Kentucky. Paducah Plumbers […]
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