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.
June 6, 2018
Since December 2014, the Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) has been lobbying to ensure safe carriage of musical instruments on Canadian airline carriers.
June 6, 2018
Local 145 (Vancouver, BC) member Eli Bennett was just nine years old when his father Daryl Bennett won the first ever Leo Award for Best Musical Score in a Feature Length Drama.
June 6, 2018
representatives of the Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) appeared before the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology to outline recommendations for much-needed amendments to the Copyright Act
June 1, 2018
Les médias sociaux offrent à nos musiciens et artistes une façon tout à fait nouvelle de joindre leurs auditoires cibles. En effet, c’est un excellent moyen d’attirer de nouveaux admirateurs, d’afficher des activités au quotidien, des itinéraires et, de façon générale, de maintenir la pertinence d’un groupe dans un environnement musical très concurrentiel. Inévitablement, l’utilisation des médias sociaux aide également à créer un lien unique entre les musiciens eux-mêmes, qui s’appuient mutuellement et partagent ressources et information.
May 1, 2018
The Music Modernization Act (HR 5447) was passed by the Judiciary Committee on April 11 who then sent it to the full House floor. This bill is the first piece of comprehensive copyright, music licensing legislation to come out of Congress in the past 30 years. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (center) speaks […]
April 30, 2018
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will launch the Annapolis Symphony Academy this fall, providing music instruction and ensemble training for middle and high school students.
April 30, 2018
On May 5, Pennsylvania’s Reading Symphony Orchestra, whose musicians are members of Local 135-211 (Reading, PA), will conclude its 2017-2018 season with a program entitled “Picture This!”
April 30, 2018
Universities across the US are seeing an up-tick in union activity. Fifty years ago, 80% of university faculty positions were tenured or tenure-track jobs. Now this statistic is reversed, with about 80% of instructional jobs, including teaching graduate students, nontenured. These faculty have little say in university governance, few job protections, and low salaries. Columbia […]
April 30, 2018
This three-movement work features different jazz styles in each movement.
April 30, 2018
This August, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) will travel to Europe, marking its first overseas tour in 13 years. Thus far, the orchestra’s first tour stop is the Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland.