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.

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Orchestra News

Buffalo Philharmonic Ratifies COVID Pandemic Agreement

The musicians of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) recently ratified a side letter to year five of their current six-year contract to help ease the burden of an expected significant financial loss for BPO’s 2020-21 season. The agreement sees the number of weeks change from 40 to 35 while still maintaining the previously negotiated weekly […]


LA Phil Returns to Stage Under COVID-19 Side Letter to IMA

On August 1, around 30 musicians from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, members of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA), returned to the outdoor stage of the Hollywood Bowl for the first time since the pandemic’s shutdowns, to rehearse for the capture of product to be released under the new COVID-19 side letter to the IMA. Even […]


New York Philharmonic Cancels Fall Season

The New York Philharmonic announced in June that it will not hold large-scale performances until at least January 6, 2021. Many orchestras across the US and Canada have made similar announcements, canceling or postponing events through 2020.  At the Philharmonic, the cancellations are expected to cost approximately $9 million in lost ticket revenue. The musicians, […]


Kennedy Center Launches Anti-Racism Commissioning Project

 The Kennedy Center—with its resident companies, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and Washington National Opera (WNO)—will commission works by composers of color, responding to racial crimes and injustices across the US.  The initiative is called the Cartography Project—named for its intention to be a musical map, tracing events that have caused outrage and activism. The […]


Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Cuts Off Health Coverage

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) has furloughed its musicians without health coverage, making it the only major orchestra in the US to terminate musicians’ health care during the pandemic. ISO musicians, members of Local 3 (Indianapolis, IN), were furloughed for a second time on June 7. The orchestra was first furloughed in March and then […]


Akron Symphony Orchestra Announces ‘Interlude Season’ of Free Music for the Community

The Akron Symphony Orchestra has announced the ASO Interlude Season – Akron Symphony’s Gift to the Community, which is designed to share free music throughout the Northeast Ohio community. The season, which will run from August 2020 through May 2021, will feature ASO artists performing live, small-ensemble music experiences with a wide variety of community […]


Orchestras Offer Virtual Independence Day Performances

  Orchestras across the US helped their communities celebrate the Fourth of July holiday with patriotic, virtual performances. The concerts were all given free of charge, some featuring special guest artists or partner organizations performing with the orchestra musicians. The Cincinnati Pops, for example, was joined by a local folk band and vocalist, while the Fort […]


AFM Orchestras Receive NEA Spring 2020 Awards

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in June awarded grant funding to 20 AFM orchestras through its FY20 Art Works Part 2 grant category: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, $30,000  Austin Symphony, $25,000  Boston Symphony Orchestra, $50,000  Columbus Symphony Orchestra, $10,000  El Paso Symphony Orchestra, $20,000  Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, $20,000  Grant Park Music Festival, $30,000  […]


28 U.S. Orchestras to Receive Grants from League of American Orchestras

The League of American Orchestras on June 4 awarded grants to 28 U.S. orchestras to strengthen their understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and to help transform organizational culture. Twenty-two of the winning orchestras operate under AFM Collective Bargaining Agreements. Ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 each, the one-year grants comprise the second round of […]


SYMPHONIC SERVICES DIVISION REMINDERS

‡‡ Please remember that each local must provide to the International President’s Office a copy of any side letter, memorandum of understanding, or other agreement (including any special agreements dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic) between a symphonic employer and an AFM local. Email completed, signed agreements to lhofmann@afm.org. ‡‡ If your local […]








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