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.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AFM

Recent News

Tips on Making an Orchestral Audition Recording

Grant applications are often straightforward to follow but time-consuming. Don’t wait until the last minute to send in an application, as you may find yourself rushing around to make photocopies or prepare a demo CD and thus are more likely to make mistakes or miss a part of the application.


Local 802 Musician Plays 3D Printed Cello

David Heiss of Local 802 (New York City, NY) was lucky enough to play the world’s first ever printed Cello. It also has a stylish futuristic design and only one string. Not that it holds David Heiss back from seeing what it can do. You can watch him play the beast below.


5 Essentials of Music Career Success

Music is too big a world for a one-size-fits-all model of music career success. Musicians’ career paths are as unique as their fingerprints. Nevertheless, there are a few guidelines that I believe apply to anyone trying to make a living and a career out of their love of musi


SUPPORT THE FAIR PLAY FAIR PAY ACT

Fair Play Fair Pay Act of 2015, introduced by representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Marsh Blackburn (R-TN) would finally ensure that musicians are compensated fairly when their music is played on any radio platform—Internet, satellite, or traditional AM/FM.


Bonnie Raitt ‘Buy This Fracking Album’

“ Buy This Fracking Album. ” It will include 22 artists to spread the dangers of fracking. All the songs have been donated and the proceeds from the album will be sent to groups working towards a ban on fracking.


‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ to be scored in Los Angeles

When Star Wars: The Force Awakens plays in a theater on December 18, 2015, the music will be the sounds of the local 47 members and not the London Symphony Orchestra,


Oil Worker Strike Expands

The oil worker strike has grown even larger as oil workers at three more refineries and a chemical plant joined the United Steelworkers (USW) strike…


PRS P245 Guitar

Perfect for players who prefer short-scale guitars, the PRS P245 is a vintage-inspired single-cutaway guitar with an LR Baggs/PRS piezo system to provide both electric and authentic acoustic tones


Debra Reilly: Grammy Educator Award Finalist

Debra Reilly of Local 45 (Allentown, PA) is in her 26th year playing viola in the Allentown Symphony. She is also an accomplished teacher and was recently named a finalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award.


Daniel Profitt: Lost Hope, Gained Music








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