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 21, 2014
Detroit Symphony Orchestra Marks Three Years of Subscription Growth Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) saw a third straight year of subscription growth in the 2013-2014 season. The number of subscriptions sold rose across DSO’s five product lines—classical, pops, jazz, family, and neighborhood—and have climbed 24.7% since the 2011-2012 season. The DSO saw strong overall attendance […]
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July 18, 2014
by Matt Allen, AFM EMSD Theatrical-Film/TV-Film Contracts Administrator Many of the independent producers who score their films under AFM agreements utilize the low budget scales provided for in the AFM Basic Theatrical Motion Picture Agreement. These affordable scales allow composers to hire more musicians on scoring dates, without breaking the film’s music budget. There are […]
Read MoreJuly 17, 2014
by Andie Childs, AFM EMSD Clips and Soundtracks Administrator Film and television scores represent some of the finest orchestral music of the modern era. Works such as Bernard Herrmann’s North by Northwest, Elmer Bernstein’s rousing Western scores like The Magnificent Seven, or Henry Mancini’s lovely music for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, provide immense listening pleasure, apart […]
Read MoreJuly 16, 2014
Robert Baird, President Baird Artists Management (BAM!) Do you need a visa? The short answer for musicians traveling to the US to work is, yes, you do need a visa; for musicians coming to Canada to work the answer is, possibly, depending upon your nationality. Visas that allow a musician to work in the US […]
Read MoreJuly 15, 2014
Dr. Jane Chu Confirmed as Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts On June 12, the US Senate voted unanimously to confirm Dr. Jane Chu as the new chair of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The White House will make the official appointment in the coming days. For AFM musicians who […]
Read MoreJuly 14, 2014
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Receives Record-Setting Gifts In early June, Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) received two gifts totaling $32 million—the largest in the orchestra’s 123-year history. The Zell Family Foundation made a $17 million gift to CSO’s endowment and general operating funds. The gift will be used to underwrite, in perpetuity, the position of music […]
Read MoreJuly 13, 2014
by John Stiernberg, member Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) Planning is important to success in the music business. There are strategic plans, marketing plans, sales plans, and financial plans—the list goes on. They are all important. The primary value of any plan is decision support. A good plan provides a platform for making critically important […]
Read MoreJuly 11, 2014
by Maria Warner-Dowrich, AFM EMSD East Coast Office Contract Adminstrator Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” —Helen Keller Being a newcomer to the AFM Electronic Media Services Division (EMSD), and a part of the everyday ins and outs of that environment, has given me a new and intense perspective […]
Read MoreJuly 10, 2014
Electronic Media at the AFM by Patrick M. Varriale, AFM EMSD Assistant Director In October, I will be celebrating my 40th anniversary at the AFM—all in the Recording Department/Electronic Media Services Division. It’s been a long journey, yet in so many ways, it doesn’t feel nearly that long ago that I answered a simple newspaper […]
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