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

Legislative Update, Recent News, Traveling Musician

AFM Partners with Government and Airlines to Resolve Long Overdue Inconsistent Policies

On December 29, 2014, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx issued a final rule regarding the carriage of musical instruments onboard US air carriers. The rule was published in the Federal Register January 5, 2015 and is scheduled to go into effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, around March 6.


Canadian Brothers Branch Out to Foreign Audiences


Karim Elmahmoudi: Former Aerospace Engineer Turned Composer


Renown Drum Kits

Following the successful reintroduction of Gretsch Renown in 2013, the company wanted to make more sonic options available for more players


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.


Rachel Pine Performs for Homeless Shelter

The largest homeless shelter in Washing D.C. the D.C. Community for Creative Non Violence, which feeds over a thousand homeless people, experienced a world renowned guest – professional violinist Rachel Barton Pine. She has played around the world and is internationally known, but she decided to play for only a dozen people this time.


AFM Cellist Appointed to Order of Canada

Cellist Denis Brott, a member of AFM Local 406 (Montreal, PQ), was appointed Member of the Order of Canada in December 2014.


Union Members Among 30 Highest Paid Musicians

Several union members were among Forbes’ list of the highest earning musicians. The figures include money from touring, record sales, publishing royalties, merchandise, endorsements, and other business ventures, during the June 2013 to June 2014 fiscal year


Republicans’ First Target: Social Security

As the Republican majority House of Representatives got to work in January, they set to work to cut Social Security almost immediately. Buried in a package of rule changes, was a provision that the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) says would: “allow a 20% benefit cut for millions of disabled Americans, unless there are broader Social Security benefit cuts or tax increases improving the solvency of the combined trust funds.”


One Million Workers Could Lose Health Care

A Republican bill (H.R. 30) passed by the House could strip health care coverage for one million workers, plus add some $53.2 billion to the federal deficit over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.








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