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Springfield Symphony Orchestra Musicians Will Use Settlement to Stage Concerts

January 29, 2022

On January 4, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced a monetary settlement of $276,406 to resolve a complaint against the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO). The organization violated federal labor law by breaching the terms of its last contract with SSO’s 71 musicians. The Orchestra Musicians’ Committee offered to drop all charges against SSO and […]

New Initiatives Toward a Brighter 2022 for Freelance Musicians

January 1, 2022

by Wages Argott, AFM Director of Freelance Services and Membership Development Let’s talk about 2021, our first full calendar year under the shadow of COVID-19. I, like everyone else, finished 2020 grateful that my family and I were alive and healthy and we all still had roofs over our heads. I gave little thought to […]

How to Break into the Music Scene:

January 1, 2022

Tips from the Pros on Subbing As musicians return to work and venues large and small begin to reopen across the US and Canada, many of us are returning to live performances and gigs in coffee houses, clubs, stages, and concert halls. Nothing beats the feeling of returning to making music with our familiar bandmates. […]

Ken Casey: Old School Radio Needs a New Model

January 1, 2022

Among the supporters of the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA) is bassist Ken Casey, member of Local 9-535 (Boston, MA) and longtime frontman of the Celtic punk band the Dropkick Murphys. To sign the American Music Fairness Act petition, visit https://bit.ly/AMFA-fairpay

Cutting Back on the Holiday Cheer

January 1, 2022

Coming off the holidays, moderating the liquid cheer can be challenging for a lot of people. Many fall short of their objectives, mostly because they are not realistic. If you simplify your approach, goals will be more attainable and will make for better outcomes. In the case of alcohol consumption, the maxim “everything in moderation” becomes especially relevant.

Musician Websites Are More Relevant than Ever

January 1, 2022

In this day and age, musicians often wonder, “Now that I have so much access to social media, do I need a website?” According to industry insiders, the answer is a resounding yes—arguably now more than ever. Your website will outlast social media trends. For instance, many musicians invested time in MySpace only to lose […]

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW — In Unity, There Is Strength

December 1, 2021

January The Riot on Capitol Hill On January 6, a violent mob of President Donald Trump supporters sought to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election by disrupting the joint session of Congress assembled to formalize President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. On January 7, AFM President Ray Hair issued this statement: “The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and […]

Jeeyoon Kim: Pianist Reinvents the Onstage Performance

December 1, 2021

Jeeyoon Kim’s performances are unique among concert pianists. She walks onto the stage and up to a microphone. In a short, poetic introduction she invites the audience to go on a journey with her. There are no programs to leaf through during the concert; these are handed out at the end. Instead, Kim delivers the […]

Battling the Holiday Blues

December 1, 2021

The holiday season should be a joyful time, but instead, many find themselves struggling. This is especially true in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which so many musicians have faced the loss of loved ones, a lack of work, and long periods of isolation. Here are a few ways to weather the holiday […]

Lily Ling Takes Her Shot

November 1, 2021

Lily Ling, member of Local 149 (Toronto, ON), first female music director of a Hamilton touring company. Ling’s association with Hamilton began in 2017 when she joined “Philip”—another of the touring productions—as associate music director. In her current role, she sees herself as a quality control manager, explaining that it’s her job to maintain the vision of the show’s creators, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alex Lacamoire.