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

Shop Union for Your Holiday Meals

Here are some of the best union-made eats and cookware from the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM); Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers (GMP); Machinists (IAM); United Steelworkers (USW); and United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). For appetizers: Kraft/Nabisco, Nabisco (Mondelez), and Keebler (Kellogg) crackers (BCTGM); For meats: Boar’s Head, Butterball, Foster […]


Musicians Question Streaming Business Model

Bucking the trend of offering music on streaming sites that provide minuscule returns to artists, Taylor Swift of Local 257 (Nashville, TN) has pulled her entire country music catalog from Spotify and not offered her debut pop album to the site at all. And the album, 1989, has gone platinum despite her lack of presence […]


String Chix: Show-Stealing Electric Strings


Shannon Wood: Strive for Diversity in the Lean Times


Tony DeSare: Pianist Applies New Twist to Standard Tunes


‘Lord of The Rings’ Trilogy Will Screen with Live Symphony Silicon Valley Orchestra

The Symphony Silicon Valley is doing something pretty incredible. They plan on performing the score for the Lord of The Rings trilogy as the movies are being screened. The film will be on an enormous 48-by-20 foot HD screen with the orchestra’s 90 musicians and 160 choristers performing the soundtrack. “The logistics are huge. It’s the biggest […]


The Senior Concert Orchestra of New York Returns

The Senior Concert Orchestra of New York returns! It’s always sad when a musical organization no longer has the funds to perform, and that’s why it is ­great news to hear the Senior Concert Orchestra has made a return. This is in thanks to the Music Performance Trust Fund and the Lortel Foundation for supporting the […]


Kevin Smith New Minnesota Orchestra President

It was only a year ago that the Minnesota Orchestra was locked out, but with a new hire they are getting back into the swing of things. Kevin Smith – currently the interim president and CEO – agreed to stay on through the 2017-18 season as the official Minnesota Orchestra president. Smith took over from […]


Jason Gianni: Session Drummer Keeps a Full Schedule


Coalition Hopes to Stimulate New York State Music Production

New York State music industry stakeholders, including AFM Local 802 (New York City), The Recording Academy, and BMI, among many others, have formed the New York Is Music coalition to increase awareness for the music industry’s economic impact; advocate for initiatives to retain/grow music industry jobs; and support music heritage and education in New York […]








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