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

AFM Musicians Stand with Striking WGA Writers

by Marc Sazer, Recording Musicians Association President and Member of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) and Local 802 (New York City) Why should residuals for recording musicians in a few mostly big cities matter? Our goal of achieving a fair streaming residual isn’t just for recording musicians. The industry standard “fixed” residual is paid through […]


TMA Update and Conference Date Announced

by Heather Boehm, Theatre Musicians Association President and Member of Local 10-208 (Chicago, IL) Greetings from the pit! There is much to report, so let’s get to it. The latest extension of the Pamphlet B/Short Engagement Touring (SET) Agreement expires on August 27. Musicians can expect negotiations for a successor agreement to commence later this […]


Herein Lies Solidarity!

Under Fire on Broadway, Byrne Concedes to Union David Byrne created the disco-pop musical Here Lies Love with the intention of launching it on Broadway. Ironically, he never envisioned the show as a musical—and certainly not one with live musicians. The former frontman of the Talking Heads—a rock band largely popular in the early 1980s—snubbed […]


National Music Council Honors Vivian Scott Chew and Ray Chew

On Sunday, June 25, during the gala celebration at the AFM Convention, the National Music Council will honor music visionaries Ray Chew of Local 802 (New York City) and Vivian Scott Chew with the 39th annual American Eagle Award. The award, which will be presented by Academy and Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress Regina […]


Philly Pops Musicians File for Breach of Contract as Organization Remains Evicted 

Musicians of the Philly Pops—members of Local 77 (Philadelphia, PA) have filed suit against their management, citing breach of contract and demanding compensation for broadcasts of the Pops’ Christmas program in December. In addition, musicians are owed late fees and contributions to pension plans, altogether totaling more than $313,000 in economic damages.  The suit comes […]


San Francisco Symphony Negotiations Continue as Musicians Leaflet Concerts 

The musicians of the San Francisco Symphony, members of Local 6 (San Francisco, CA), have been playing without a contract since their previous CBA expired in November. The orchestra has begun distributing informational leaflets in the lobby of Davies Symphony Hall before concerts. The leaflets argue for the importance of musicians’ salaries in maintaining the […]


Important Clarification to FAA Rules on Flying with Instruments

The AFM spent more than a decade trying to clarify and improve the ability of musicians to fly with instruments as carry-on baggage. These efforts resulted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, which was implemented in 2015. The law states that if the instrument fits in the airline luggage bins and the […]


Labor Media Recognizes IM for Excellence in the Field

The International Labor Communications Association (ILCA) has announced its annual communications award winners for 2022. Annually, the organization hosts what is now the largest competition exclusively for labor journalists. Articles that embody the work of the global labor movement are judged by experts in the field from across the industry.  International Musician received six awards […]


National Music Council Marks Global Music Freedom Day with Symposium on Political Violence Against Music Creators and Performers

The Congressionally-chartered National Music Council of the United States (NMC), in collaboration with its global partner, the Paris-based International Music Council (IMC), will premiere a landmark symposium addressing the recent spike in political violence against songwriters, composers, and music performers throughout the world. The webcast, available to viewers at www.musiccouncil.org, on March 3, represents a […]


SphinxConnect Welcomes Participants in Person

The Sphinx Organization welcomed hundreds of musicians, industry leaders, educators, funders, diversity advocates, and administrators to take part in its annual SphinxConnect conference, held at its home base of Detroit, Michigan. In 2022, the arts organization celebrated its 25th anniversary with a virtual conference, but returned to in-person sessions for their January conference. The 2023 […]








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