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, 2013
Latin Blend Climbs Ranks as Captivating Quartet After three years of hard work and sacrifice, Quattro feels honored to have been nominated for Best New Artist at this year’s Latin Grammy Awards. The group prides itself on combining classical crossover with Latin American pop and contemporary jazz. The four members of Local 47 (Los Angeles, […]
Read MoreDecember 1, 2013
Local 802 (New York City) member Wynton Marsalis, who is also managing and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and a Juilliard alumnus, has been appointed director of Juilliard’s jazz studies program. The Juilliard Jazz program has long-standing ties with Jazz at Lincoln center but the school hopes to expand on those ties, increasing […]
Read MoreDecember 1, 2013
According to the Associated Press, an effort is underway in Dix Hills, New York, to turn a former home of John Coltrane into a museum. Among the supporters of the initiative, which began a decade ago, are Carlos Santana of Local 6 (San Francisco, CA) and Coltrane’s son, Ravi. The home is currently in dire […]
Read MoreDecember 1, 2013
The fate of comprehensive immigration reform with a road map to citizenship that fully protects the rights of all workers is now in the hands of House Republicans. The Senate passed its bipartisan bill in June, and a House bill patterned on the Senate measure was introduced. However, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and other […]
Read MoreDecember 1, 2013
In a preview of the nationwide day of action that took place on Black Friday, Walmart workers in several Southern California stores walked off the job November 7 to protest the company’s low wages. Walmart earned a profit of $17 billion so far this year, but pays its workers so little than many of them […]
Read MoreDecember 1, 2013
In November, National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Acting General Counsel Lafe E. Solomon announced that the government will prosecute T-Mobile US for labor violations in its campaign of intimidation and attack against organizing workers. Last year the company closed seven US call centers, sending those 3,300-plus jobs overseas. Specifically, the NLRB alleges that Joshua Coleman […]
Read MoreDecember 1, 2013
The November 5 elections saw big wins for working families. There were groundbreaking minimum wage increases in New Jersey and Washington State. New Jersey voters voted in favor of a constitutional amendment raising it $1, from $7.25 to $8.25. In Washington, a ballot measure will raise wages for more than 6,000 airport workers to $15 […]
Read MoreNovember 10, 2013
Symphonic Composer Moonlights as a Rock Star Though many rock fans still identify Stewart Copeland with the nine years he spent as founder and drummer of the Police, those in the classical music world have come to respect his composing, which has been the Local 802 (New York City) member’s focus for the past 30 […]
Read MoreNovember 1, 2013
Though musicians dream of a full, totally engrossed audience, some of them take the stage with almost paralyzing feelings of anxiety. Stage fright threatens to destroy their concentration and sabotage their flawless performance. Here are some strategies you can try to help overcome performance anxiety. Preparation Close to your performance night, put yourself through several […]
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