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.
September 1, 2025
In early August, Canadian Conference local delegates joined together with Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians (OCSM) delegates in Toronto, Ontario, for a joint conference. The opportunity for local officers to share reports and hear from staff is key to representing rank-and-file voices. There was great representation of locals with delegates from across the country who […]
September 1, 2025
Now more than ever, it is essential to document your recording work by putting it under an AFM contract. The music industry has undergone significant shifts over the past few decades, with its rules changing dramatically. The days of major record labels and high-level managers controlling every aspect of an artist’s career are long gone. […]
August 1, 2025
The International Federation of Musicians’ (FIM) 23rd Congress was held from June 25-27, at the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, hosted by the Swiss Musicians’ Union (SMV-USDAM). The conference brought together delegates from musician unions from around the world. I attended on behalf of the AFM along with Vice President from Canada Allistair […]
August 1, 2025
To Canadian members: I try to avoid US-centric writing in the International Musician, but sometimes events demand it, the presentation of which I hope might be useful perspective for any musician on this continent. A smart person recently observed that a union’s main job is to build sufficient power to enable members to attain fairness […]
August 1, 2025
The CFM actively engages in government advocacy to make the lives of working musicians better, for example, improving air travel regulations for musicians with instruments, keeping the cost of work permits as low as possible, and establishing human rights protections for workers. While outcomes of advocacy don’t always give us what we want, they generally […]
August 1, 2025
As each one of our Canadian national electronic media contracts have come up for renewal, we have made it a priority to incorporate generative artificial intelligence (GAI) language in the form of side letters to protect our musicians’ work. We take the position that music content produced for film, television, or digital media is covered […]
July 1, 2025
Before 2010, New York and Los Angeles were the leading centers for film scoring. Due to producers’ desire to cut costs, most nonsignatory film scoring has been done overseas in recent years. Although scoring makes up a small portion of a blockbuster film’s budget, often less than .05%, by 2018 most film productions that didn’t […]
July 1, 2025
Yes it is, but sometimes this hallowed institution gets it wrong even with the best of intentions. The most recent occasion was on my watch as the AFM’s administrative officer overseeing the content of each month’s International Musician. Over the past few months, IM has published information about the AFM’s newly expanded Code of Conduct, […]
July 1, 2025
Hip-hop has long been a global economic force. Hip-hop and R&B accounted for over 25% of all US streams in 2024. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), in 2022, hip-hop generated $15.9 billion from music streams and purchases alone. Yet, behind the impressive streaming numbers and sold-out tours lies a harsh reality: […]
July 1, 2025
Spring transitioning into summer signals a break from the routine of many orchestras’ seasons and sessional teaching, and there is often a switch to music festivals, summer music programs, touring (jazz festival circuit), or finding time for much needed rest and rejuvenation or perhaps writing and recording. Whatever you find yourself doing over the summer, […]