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.
July 27, 2014
July 25, 2014
Revamped Value The Yamaha L Series acoustic guitars have been redesigned to deliver classic quality and value. Engelmann spruce tops are treated with Acoustic Resonance Enhancement (ARE) to give them the tonal richness of vintage models. Playability improvements include redesigned bracing, thinner five-ply neck design, lower string action, and wider string spacing. The simple-to-use undersaddle […]
July 22, 2014
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has thrown his support behind the AFM’s Listen Up! Campaign, which calls for production companies, who pocket millions in US taxpayer incentives, to stop offshoring musical scoring work. “I’m fighting for good-paying, middle-class jobs across California, and our work to pass legislation—which will boost production and music scoring—must be with […]
July 20, 2014
July 15, 2014
Dr. Jane Chu Confirmed as Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts On June 12, the US Senate voted unanimously to confirm Dr. Jane Chu as the new chair of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The White House will make the official appointment in the coming days. For AFM musicians who […]
July 8, 2014
AFM Member Honored at Boston University At commencement ceremonies held May 18, Boston University College of Fine Arts music Associate Professor Terry Everson, a member of Local 9-535 (Boston, MA), was recognized as a 2014 recipient of the Metcalf Award for Excellence in Teaching. Students, faculty, and alumni nominate candidates for the $5,000 prize […]
July 7, 2014
The website Marketplace ran a story about Lionsgate offshoring the film’s score to a studio in Macedonia called F.A.M.E’S for much cheaper rates. Composer John Debney, recorded the soundtrack at F.A.M.E’S for cheaper rates than what would be acceptable to AFM musicians. Read or listen to the piece: http://mktplc.org/1qrnLyn “[Laurent Koppitz, the founder of F.A.M.E.’S] said that if […]
July 3, 2014
TSA Confiscates McBride’s Bow In June, Local 802 (New York City) member Christian McBride arrived in Saskatoon, Canada, for a concert only to discover that his bow was missing from his case. “Now that it’s confirmed, I can tell you that good ol’ TSA confiscated (aka STOLE) my brand new bow right out of my […]
July 3, 2014
The AFM has developed a new agreement in collaboration with Microsoft Corporation covering professional musicians employed in the making of video game soundtracks. The new agreement, which extends through December 2016, is effective immediately and is the result of discussions between the AFM and Microsoft that began early last year. “We are pleased that one […]
July 2, 2014
Representatives of the AFM, the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), and the American Association of Advertising Agencies’ (4A’s) Joint Policy Committee on Broadcast Talent Union Relations (JPC) announced today that a successor agreement has been reached covering the services of professional musicians who record music tracks in the production of television, radio, and Internet commercial […]