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.
February 7, 2020
The US House of Representatives on February 6 approved the most significant legislative effort to expand the rights of working people to organize since the Great Depression. The Protecting the Right to Organize Act, known as the PRO Act, would amend some of the country’s decades-old labor laws to let workers quickly vote to form […]
January 31, 2020
The financial cost that Canadian musicians must currently undertake in order to perform in the US may soon increase drastically. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed increasing its fees, and implementing administrative changes for the O and P visas required for international guest artists performing in the United States. The proposed changes […]
January 31, 2020
Classical guitarist Renaud Côté-Giguère, of Local 406 (Montreal, PQ), was named one of 15 finalists in the Portugal International Guitar Composition Competition, and recently traveled to Seixal, Portugal to participate in the final competition round. Côté-Giguère was the only participant from Canada and one of only two participants from North America. The first round of […]
January 31, 2020
Folk artist, pioneer, and 45-year member of the AFM Joni Mitchell received the prestigious Les Paul Innovation Award at the 35th Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards (NAMM TEC Awards) on January 18. The award is given on behalf of the Les Paul Foundation to honor individuals that have set the highest standards of excellence in creative application […]
January 31, 2020
On December 30, 2019, the American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund (AFM-EPF) submitted an application to the US Treasury Department to reduce benefits under the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act (MPRA) in order to prevent the Plan from becoming insolvent. “We know that our participants have anticipated this difficult moment for some time. Now […]
January 10, 2020
Effective January 1, 2020, members who belonged to three or more AFM Locals throughout 2019 can petition the AFM Secretary-Treasurer for a “rebate equal to the per capita dues received by the Federation” for that member’s membership in each AFM Local in excess of two. (Members pay their Federation per capita dues as a portion […]
January 8, 2020
On December 30, 2019, the American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund (AFM-EPF) submitted an application to the U.S. Treasury Department to reduce benefits under the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act (MPRA) in order to prevent the Plan from becoming insolvent. “We know that our participants have anticipated this difficult moment for some time. Now […]
Manhasset Specialty Company, a leading manufacturer of music stands and accessories, is celebrating 85 years of producing quality music stands and accessories for use by musicians of all levels — from beginners to professionals who are members of world-famous orchestras all around the world. The Manhasset Specialty Company dates back to 1935, when inventor/musician Otto […]
January 3, 2020
Robert D. Leiter, The Musicians and Petrillo (Bookman Associates, 1953)The first complete study ever made of the American Federation of Musicians, this book traces the development and growth of the union as an economic force. It begins with the earliest attempts to unionize musicians in the US and continues up to the book’s publication in […]
December 26, 2019
In 2009, three professors from the University of North Florida decided to form a rehearsal, or kix, band that would perform contemporary big band music. The band, called the TBA Big Band, has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, and two of the founding members who are still with the project were honored by their AFM […]