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.
December 26, 2019
Jazz legend Wynton Marsalis, of Local 802 (New York City), has been named the recipient of the 2020 Ken Burns American Heritage Prize. The award will be presented May 6, 2020, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Named in honor of revered visual historian and filmmaker, the Ken Burns American […]
December 26, 2019
The AFM joined with other members of the music community on November 21 to celebrate the introduction of bipartisan legislation in Congress that would end big radio’s ability to use music without first obtaining any form of permission from the people who recorded it. “All musicians should be paid for all their work all the […]
December 26, 2019
Folk artist, pioneer, and 45-year member of the AFM Joni Mitchell will receive the prestigious Les Paul Innovation Award at the 35th Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards (NAMM TEC Awards), being held Saturday, January 18, 2020 in Anaheim, California. The award is given on behalf of the Les Paul Foundation to honor individuals that have set the […]
December 26, 2019
AFM member Joseph Conyers has been named as one of the 10 finalists for the inaugural Lewis Prize for Music. The mission of the Lewis Prize is to partner with leaders who create positive change by investing in young people through music. Each finalist is dedicated to strengthening young people in their communities through rigorous […]
December 26, 2019
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) has reported an operating surplus in fiscal year 2019, for its third consecutive year. Total operating revenue was $29.5 million compared to operating expenses of $29.4 million, generating a surplus just over $100,000. Annual fund gifts exceeded $8 million for the first time in the orchestra’s 139-year history, and […]
December 26, 2019
On September 23, the Baltimore Symphony Musicians, members of Local 40-543 (Baltimore, MD), returned to the concert hall after a 14-week lockout. We made a very difficult decision to accept the terms of a one-year agreement that maintains our annual salary while working only 40 weeks out of the remaining 50 weeks during the 2019-20 […]
December 20, 2019
Each year, the fund distributes thousands of residual payments to musicians that can range in amounts from double digits to more than seven figures.
December 10, 2019
Jazz legend Wynton Marsalis, a member of Local 802 (New York City), has been named the recipient of the 2020 Ken Burns American Heritage Prize. The award will be presented May 6, 2020, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Named in honor of America’s most revered visual historian and filmmaker, […]
December 10, 2019
Folk artist and pioneer, and 45-year member of the AFM Joni Mitchell will receive the prestigious Les Paul Innovation Award at the 35th Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards (NAMM TEC Awards), being held Saturday, January 18, 2020 in Anaheim, California. The award is given on behalf of the Les Paul Foundation to honor individuals that have […]
December 1, 2019
Nashville Musicians Association Musician’s Emergency Relief Fund helps Local 257 members in financial need due to medical and emergency issues that prevent them from working.