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.
February 1, 2014
According to the CBC, Canadian musician Yosuke Kawasaki of Local 180 (Ottawa, ON) was fined $120,000 Can, plus PST, for not declaring his instruments—a $385,000 violin and three bows worth $90,000, $6,800, and $2,000. Born and trained in New York, Kawasaki is concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa. The instruments were initially […]
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On January 14, musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra ratified a new CBA that brings to an end the devastating 16-month lockout that canceled the entire 2012-2013 season and half of the current season. The new contract goes into effect February 1 and the first performances will take place soon after. Musicians agreed to a 15% […]
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They may be among the finest sounding headphones on the planet. They’re handcrafted in Brooklyn, New York, by audio industry stalwart Grado Labs. The polished mahogany headset uses an open-back design with wooden chambers that create a personal listening room around your ears. Frequency range of 8 Hz to 35 kHz (beyond human hearing), unique […]
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Play It Safe When It Comes to Your Hearing Whether you play for a wall thumping rock band or with a booming brass band, your ears need protection from the loud sounds that constantly bombard them. But just how much noise is too much? Eighty-five decibels, like the level of sound from a blender or […]
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by Bob Popyk, member Local 78 (Syracuse, NY) Quite a few years back, I did a column about competing with mobile DJs for gigs in your local market. Nothing has changed. If you’re a casual-date musician, nothing is worse than losing a gig to a guy with a sound system, recorded music, and some patter. […]
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Acoustic Rock Riffs provides a one-stop library for more than 50 of the most popular riffs and intros every acoustic guitar player should know.
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This book covers 1,000 years of classical music in a fun and easy-to-read format. It’s packed with color photographs, composer biographies, and information on major works and innovations, arranged in chronological order from Early Music (1000-1600) through Modern Music (1900-present). The first three chapters introduce the basic elements of classical music, classical instruments, and a […]
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February 1, 2014
RODE Microphones’ smartLav lavalier mic provides convenient, crisp, high-quality audio, directly into a smartphone or tablet. It is equipped with an omnidirectional condenser microphone to pick up sound from all directions and its foam pop filter eliminates vocal plosives. Although designed for the RODE Rec app for Apple iOS devices, any app that accepts input […]
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