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.
November 13, 2014
It was only a year ago that the Minnesota Orchestra was locked out, but with a new hire they are getting back into the swing of things. Kevin Smith – currently the interim president and CEO – agreed to stay on through the 2017-18 season as the official Minnesota Orchestra president. Smith took over from […]
Read MoreNovember 10, 2014
The lockout of the musicians of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) continues, as the Woodruff Arts Center (WAC)—the umbrella organization for ASO—has canceled concerts through November 8. Musicians’ paychecks have come to a stop and their health insurance has been canceled. At the end of September, Stanley Romanstein resigned his position as ASO president and […]
Read MoreNovember 4, 2014
By Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, Fund Administrator, Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund The Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund (FMSMF) works to serve the film, television and music communities. To this end, the FMSMF is pleased to provide ongoing updates to International Musician. “New” Films: The FMSMF received residuals for 137 “new” titles during the first seven months […]
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November 1, 2014
The largest and oldest outdoor musical theatre in America started out in 1916 as a grassy little spot between two oak trees. Clear away some shrubs and small trees here, build a retaining wall there, and voilá! Such was the humble birth of The Muny Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri. Ninety-eight years later, The Muny […]
Read MoreNovember 1, 2014
While touring orchestration sizes remain a concern, the past few years have seen an encouraging return to original, large orchestras in revivals of classics on Broadway. For example, the revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center Theater, which played sold out shows for two years (2008-2010) used a 29-piece orchestra, as does the upcoming revival […]
Read MoreNovember 1, 2014
by Michael Manley, AFM Touring/Theatre/Booking and Immigration Division Director and Assistant to the President In a landscape where an artist’s big break can take place on YouTube as often as in a concert hall or club, musicians can reach an international audience with a few swipes of a tablet screen. Jazz artists and indie bands […]
Read MoreNovember 1, 2014
If you’ve ever had questions about traveling engagements, touring with a show or artist, or questions about foreign ensembles performing in the US, chances are you have contacted the AFM’s Touring/Theatre/Booking and Immigration Division. This past year the division said farewell to former Director Steve Gelfand and welcomed Michael Manley, who returns to the post […]
Read MoreNovember 1, 2014
by Michael Manley, Director AFM Touring/Theatre/Booking and Immigration Division and Assistant to the President I am proud to introduce this month’s International Musician, which focuses on Touring and Theatre. Our cover story features the touring production of the most successful show in history, Disney’s The Lion King, which has been on the road continuously since […]
Read MoreNovember 1, 2014
Tough the music industry grosses more than $50 billion a year, the very people whose creativity and ingenuity fuel this massive cash machine frequently have few places to turn in troubled times. The Recording Academy established the MusiCares Foundation more than 20 years ago to help musicians faced with often insurmountable health and financial hardships. […]
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