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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Recent News

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 […]


Pete Seeger Tribute Benefits Activism in the Arts

An October 19 concert hosted by Joe Uehlein, a member of Local 161-710 (Washington, DC) and 1000 (nongeographic), paid tribute to the late Pete Seeger. Proceeds from the concert benefited the Cultural Works Collective, an organization dedicated to integrating art and activism, which Seeger helped found. Among those performing at the concert were Local 1000 […]


Sacramento Music Groups Receive $1.1 Million Gift

The late J. David Ramsey, a former US Forest Service worker, bequeathed a $1.1 million gift to the Sacramento Region Community Foundation to benefit regional classical music organizations. Included is $387,462 for the Sacramento Philharmonic Foundation, $232,477 for the Grass Valley-based Music in the Mountains, and $232,477 to the Chamber Music Society of Sacramento. The […]


New Website Gives Voice and Power to Guest Workers

The hundreds of thousands of workers who arrive in the US on temporary work visas each year are vulnerable to exploitation because they rely on word of mouth from community members and recruiters when weighing temporary visa and job opportunities. A new online tool called Contratados (contradados.org) gives workers more power in the process by […]


Celebrating 236 Years of AFM Service

On Thursday, October 16, the AFM’s New York office celebrated milestone anniversaries of dedicated staff members Elizabeth Blake, Diane DePiro, Patrick Varriale, Lew Mancini, Kim Wysocki, and Judy Vizueta. The AFM-hosted luncheon acknowledged these key employees’ combined total years of service—an astounding 236 years (a number some colleagues thought was “made up”). Things have certainly […]


NYC Council Votes to Support Justice for Jazz Campaign

In October, the New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs passed Resolution 207-A that endorses the Justice for Jazz Artists Campaign to improve the lives of jazz musicians working in New York City’s jazz clubs by providing retirement security through fair pay, pension contributions, recording rights protection, and processes for addressing grievances. New York’s […]


The Kansas City Orchestra Played the National Anthem

The Kansas City Orchestra played the national anthem before Tuesday’s World Series game. “It was fantastic,” said the music director Michael Stern, “The energy was amazing.” The musicians were excited to play and were even given free tickets to the game. “We felt like rock stars out there.” said Michael Gordon and Cellist John Eadie […]


Johnny Cash Exhibit in Musical Instrument Museum

Johnny Cash Exhibit The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix is getting a new addition to its already astounding collection. A Johnny Cash exhibit honoring the country music star along with the the Carter family has been unveiled. This exhibit features items never displayed for the public by what is considered the family that popularized country music. John Carter Cash […]


AFM Praises Film Incentive Reform Act of 2014

Legislation was introduced today in the US Congress to amend Section 181 of the US tax code that would disqualify producers from obtaining taxpayer money to subsidize their films, if US jobs are offshored. Section 181 is currently worth $400 million in yearly subsidies to the motion picture industry. H.R 5497, the Film Incentive Reform […]


California Legislators Commit to Expand Film Production Incentive Programs

The AFM, along with Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) and the Recording Musicians Association of Los Angeles (RMALA), applauded California state leaders for expanding California’s Film and Television Job Retention Act. The passage of AB 1839 expands funding to $330 million per year for the next five years, more than tripling the current allocation.  The […]








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