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.
September 1, 2024
The Ultimate Union Gig: Live from New York on a Saturday Night Playing for the evening broadcast of Saturday Night Live (SNL) is like spending a whole day at the studio. Because that’s exactly what you do, according to Shawn Pelton of Local 802 (New York City), drummer for the show’s on-stage band since 1992. […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2024
Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a natural, emotional, and physiological response to the stress of public performance. Debilitating forms of MPA are severe reactions that go beyond the normal adaptive performance responses. They can have dire implications for a professional musician’s life. Studies show between 60% to 80% of professional musicians suffer from debilitating forms […]
Read MoreAugust 31, 2024
Vice President from Canada Emeritus David J. Jandrisch passed away August 5 at age 84. A member of Local 190 (Winnipeg, MB) for more than 60 years, he launched his music career at age 15 and performed as an instrumentalist on more than 3,000 radio and television shows. Jandrisch was president of Local 190 for […]
Read MoreAugust 31, 2024
HUB International Signs on as Group Insurance Broker After a rigorous discernment process, the AFM International Executive Board has entered into an agreement with HUB International as its new US group membership insurance program administrator, replacing AMBA, effective September 1. HUB (www.hubinternational.com) is the world’s largest privately-owned insurance broker, with revenues topping $4 billion and […]
Read MoreAugust 31, 2024
Local 56 (Grand Rapids, MI) recently completed an incredibly successful membership campaign. In all, their ranks grew nearly 25% during a seven-month drive to bring in new members and reinstate former members. “We are delighted to see so many new faces joining our local,” says Local 56 President Bennie Keys. “The importance of belonging to […]
Read MoreAugust 31, 2024
Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) musicians joined our SAG-AFTRA colleagues at two picket line actions in Burbank last month as actors take a stand against the video game industry to fight for artificial intelligence (AI) protections, improved wages, and fair treatment. SAG-AFTRA members who perform in video games went on strike against all video game […]
Read MoreAugust 31, 2024
“Firing dancers? Not the answer” and “Union busting is disgusting!” rang out from nearly 200 protesters marching in front of Dallas Black Dance Theatre. The rally on August 17, led by the national labor union American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), was in protest of auditions taking place at the dance company to replace main […]
Read MoreAugust 31, 2024
Musicians who perform for Arden Theatre productions have successfully filed a petition for recognition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to be represented by Local 77 (Philadelphia, PA). The request followed a nod from a “supermajority” of musicians signing union cards. “This was actually musician driven,” says Local 77 President Ellen Trainer of the […]
Read MoreAugust 31, 2024
Musician Elise Witt of Local 1000 (Nongeographic) uses singing and songwriting to teach students English and says, “Sometimes a concept that is hard for students to grasp becomes easy when we write a song about it.” In 2009, she became the founder of the music program at Global Village Project (GVP), a middle school for teenage refugee girls […]
Read MoreAugust 1, 2024
Right-Wing Plans Are a Threat to Musicians’ Economic Future Now, more than ever, it is important to make our voices heard, protect our livelihoods, and support the efforts of our union colleagues across the country when voting in the upcoming election. This is the year for professional musicians to vote to preserve the economic advances […]
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