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 1, 2025
As we enter Black History Month, I’m filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the immeasurable contributions of Black musicians to the vibrant tapestry of American music and for the contributions and sacrifices of Black labor and civil rights leaders. But Black History Month is more than just a retrospective. It’s an opportunity for […]
February 1, 2025
Since January 20 of this year, the relentless 24-hour news cycle drumbeat has forced me to reflect upon just what makes a nation great. I’ve read Project 2025, and it does not chart a pathway to national greatness. “A great nation is one that can feed the people.” That’s what a wise old Lakota elder […]
February 1, 2025
The trade relationship between the US and Canada is the largest in the world. According to statistics on Wikipedia, the goods and services traded between our two countries totalled $923 billion in 2023. US exports were $441 billion, while imports were $482 billion, for a US $41 billion trade deficit with Canada. Canada historically held […]
February 1, 2025
As I sit down to write my February column, wildfires in Los Angeles are still burning, Donald Trump is on the eve of commencing his second four-year term, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has resigned as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. The wildfires are certain to have a negative impact on the economy […]
January 1, 2025
Let me start by saying that I was delighted to attend the Kennedy Center Honors on December 8, and it was truly an amazing event, especially to see our members front and center, along with our SAG-AFTRA siblings. As we begin 2025, our negotiations with the television networks for a successor to the Television Videotape […]
January 1, 2025
Just the facts, ma’am Just as there is a season for the cold, dry Arctic air to sweep across the Canadian tundra, so is there a season for a Secretary-Treasurer to dust the reader’s eyes with cold, dry financial information. As a rank-and-file member, I often found this kind of information to be singularly uninteresting, […]
January 1, 2025
As we begin the new year, we are reminded that music has always been both a reflection of our times and a force that shapes them. From symphonies that capture the human spirit to the driving beats of modern pop, music is a timeless language that connects us all. Yet, as we move forward into […]
January 1, 2025
An entry from the diary of Anne Halkett on January 2, 1671, a writer and member of the Scottish gentry, entitled “Resolutions,” referenced this pledge: “I will not offend anymore.” This would indicate that the practice of making New Year’s resolutions dates back at least a few hundred years. We have all experienced beginning a […]
December 1, 2024
Together with a robust delegation from the AFM, I attended the Fifth International Orchestra Conference (IOC) of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), October 23-26, in Malmö, Sweden. In addition to myself, the delegation included Vice President from Canada Allistair Elliott, AFM Director of Symphonic Services and Special Counsel Rochelle Skolnick, International Conference of Symphony […]
December 1, 2024
The one thing I appreciate about the outcome of the US elections this year is that the results are unambiguous. This provides a heightened clarity of purpose for the next two years, if not the next four, for anyone who makes a living in the arts or who works in the labor movement. Funding for […]