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, 2021
Larry Mercey, of Local 279 (London, ON), has had an outstanding career in music, first as leader of the successful Canadian country music group The Mercey Brothers and then as a solo artist. With massive amounts of hit songs, top albums, music awards, and various other successes under his belt, after 60 years in the […]
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Dave Krehbiel’s fast-moving memoir, Through the Door: A Horn-Player’s Journey, relates the adventures of a young musician who uses his musical talents to cover up his scholastic shortcomings. In so doing, he finds himself, miraculously, in the career of his dreams—playing principal horn for Chicago, Detroit, and San Francisco symphony orchestras. With intelligent humor, Krehbiel, […]
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D’Addario’s signature reed case holds your reeds safe and secure, featuring a grooved surface that keeps reeds snugly in place while preventing warping. Crafted with an airtight gasket for unstable weather conditions, this case can hold eight reeds of any size clarinet or saxophone and a reed vitalizer Humidipak. www.daddario.com
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Digital Wind Instrument Roland’s Aerophone Pro is the new flagship model in the company’s Aerophone series of digital wind instruments. The stock fingering on Aerophone Pro is the same as an acoustic sax and includes a high-F# key. Presets provide everything from vintage analog synth tones to modern hybrid sounds. Includes headphones jack, Bluetooth MIDI, […]
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Silent Electricity The Yamaha SVC-110SK Silent Cello is an electric cello thatoffers superior feel and tone with an acoustic-body resonating chamber for professional stage and recording performance—and silent practice. Features a unique resonating chamber, studio-quality on-board preamp and built-in reverb, spruce and maple construction, standard tuning pegs, and a sleek, protective gig bag. www.usa.yamaha.com
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New from TRX Cymbal Co. is the limited edition, four-piece set of CRX’s popular AIR Series low-volume cymbals with a custom, sky-blue finish. The set, which is recommended for practice rooms, teaching studios, and low-volume playing situations, includes 14-inch hi-hats, 20-inch ride, 18-inch crash-ride, and 16-inch crash, plus a cymbal bag. www.trxcymbals.com
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Specially Tuned Ear Protection Experience sound as you normally would, just at a lower decibel level. Earos One hearing protection offers attenuation of 17 decibels. The soft outer body sits comfortably in the ear, even during extended use. Engineered to fit 90% of all ears, the outer edge of the product lays flush against the […]
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Classical Harpist Treads New Paths Playing Tango Anna Maria Mendieta has no trouble recalling the dayspring of her lifelong love affair with the harp. At age five, her arts-loving parents (her mother was a pianist and accordionist; her father played classical guitar and saxophone) played a recording of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, and the overture […]
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Gordon Clements Multi-woodwind instrumentalist Gordon Clements, of Local 247 (Victoria, BC), has released his eighth recording with J. S. Bach Cello Suite No. 4 on Bass Clarinet. Why a Bach cello suite on bass clarinet? The orchestral bass clarinet (with low C) is the woodwind counterpart of the cello. The range, at four octaves from C below the […]
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In this book and accompanying audio, drummer Steve Lyman gives an in-depth look at the construction and application of modern time signatures. Breaking down metric units from 5/8 through 17/16, the material provides clear methods of understanding these meters in ways that are fun, creative, and insightful. A New Approach to Odd-Times for Drum Set, […]
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