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 1, 2025
The working life of musicians is loud! Cutting-edge audio produces high-quality sound, but even if the result is great music, it’s still occupational noise exposure. Whether it’s an orchestra, jazz ensemble, or marching band, everything is cranked up. The added decibel (dB) quotient takes a deafening neurological toll—and the risk goes up with volume and […]
Read MoreNovember 1, 2025
Angel Wang, Claudio Vena, and the Phoenix OrchestraLimited Pressing Agreement Violinist Angel Wang of Local 149 (Toronto, ON) and chamber ensemble Phoenix Orchestra celebrate the convergence of Chinese and Western music on their debut project, Phoenix Rising. The beloved “Butterfly Lovers’ Concerto” is arranged here by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang, who originally composed the […]
Read MoreOctober 31, 2025
In a dramatic climax to months of escalating negotiations, AFM Local 802 (New York City) Broadway musicians successfully reached an early morning tentative agreement with The Broadway League, averting a strike scheduled for the following day. The new three-year contract includes meaningful increases to wages and health benefits, preserving crucial access to health care for […]
Read MoreOctober 31, 2025
New airport security machines being deployed at airports across the US and Canada now require that all items be placed in X-ray screening bins for scanning. The new machines provide a clearer, three-dimensional image of what’s in travelers’ luggage. This new technology is designed to improve safety and speed up security lines overall. However, many […]
Read MoreOctober 31, 2025
For five rollercoaster years, Dan Beck, Music Performance Trust Fund trustee emeritus, was immersed in a world of unequaled stardom, dealing with the outsized ambition, whims, and idiosyncrasies of the world’s most famous entertainer. Beck, a record company executive at the time, was tasked with marketing Michael Jackson’s 1995 greatest hits album. Beck handled everything […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2025
Playing with Purpose: A Mission to Elevate Women in Bass Anyone who plays an instrument gets used to fielding the same or similar comments particular to that instrument. Horn players, for example, get asked about the puddles of liquid they leave behind on the stage floor. For bass players—especially those who might be less than […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2025
Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to posture and physical strength on stage. Whether you’re holding a violin or a tuba, sitting at the piano, or behind a drum set, the group of muscles at the central part of your body—your core—are likely being overworked. An exercise routine for your abs results in endurance, […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2025
Brandee Younger Sound Recording Labor Agreement Grammy-nominated harpist Brandee Younger of Local 802 (New York City) has released her third major-label album, Gadabout Season. Known for her unique interpretations of harp legends Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby, Younger steps out boldly with new compositions drawing from jazz, classical, R&B, and hip-hop. This CD showcases Younger’s evolving use […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2025
The Mike McClelland Quartet Joint Venture Recording Agreement The Mike McClelland Quartet of Local 149 (Toronto, ON) with McClelland on drums is joined by Mike Murley on tenor and soprano saxophones, Reg Schwager on guitar, and Neil Swainson on bass, pays tribute to the late pianist and composer Bob Fenton. “Prelude and Premise” draws the listener into a world […]
Read MoreSeptember 30, 2025
Condemning ‘State Censorship’ After Jimmy Kimmel Live! Suspension Last month, Jimmy Kimmel Live! resumed broadcast after a controversial suspension by ABC. The network pulled the show when remarks Kimmel made about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk were deemed inappropriate. The suspension sparked widespread backlash—from entertainment unions and political leaders to constitutional scholars and […]
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