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.

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Orchestra News

African Elephant Ivory Update

Our work on this issue continues. Working with the League of American Orchestras (the League), the National Association of Violin and Bow Makers, the National Association of Music Merchants, and others, our group continues to meet with top Obama Administration officials, members of Congress, and their staff to shape new policies while fighting against the […]


Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra Signs New Contract

Members of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera have reached an agreement on a two-year contract. Covering the current and 2015-2016 seasons, the contract will provide a total salary increase of 2% while maintaining the number of musicians and season length. Subscriptions sales for the 2014-2015 season are the highest they have been in six years […]


Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Locked Out Again

Musicians of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra locked out for the second time in two years and the beginning of their 70th anniversary season has been canceled. The previous contract expired September 6. ASO President and CEO Stanley Romanstein refused musicians’ requests to meet in the days leading up to the deadline.The musicians were forced to […]


Local 180 Creates Organizing Committee Along with New Logo and Slogan

At the 99th AFM Convention locals were urged to establish their own organizing committees. As the result of that request, Local 180 (Ottawa-Gatineau, ON) set to work creating a committee to foster external and internal organizing efforts—in other words, to develop programs that focus on mobilizing current membership. “In September 2013, we created a Local […]


Hawaii Symphony Expands Season in New Agreement

The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra (HSO), which was formed following the closure of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra in 2011, has ratified a new two-year musicians’ contract. The new agreement covers the orchestra’s 84 musicians through June 2016 and provides for two additional weeks each season. HSO plans to expand the diversity of its programming and develop […]


Oregon Symphony Extends Contract

Musicians of the Oregon Symphony have signed a one-year contract extension, through August 2015. The Oregon Symphony Association recently hired a new president and the musicians wanted him to have time to become more familiar with the organization before negotiating a new contract. Negotiations are expected to begin in spring or summer 2015. Musicians have […]


North Carolina Symphony to Receive Salary Increases

At the end of June, musicians of the North Carolina Symphony ratified a two-year agreement that will be effective through August 2016. The season length will remain at 39 weeks and musicians will receive modest salary increases each year. Whereas language in the previous contract stated that the orchestra would make best efforts to fill […]


Local 655 Urges Boycott of South Florida Symphony

The South Florida Musicians Association encourages members of its community to boycott the South Florida Symphony (SFS). The symphony is delinquent in paying wages to its musicians; many have yet to be paid for any of the work they performed in 2014 and only recently received payment for the work they performed in November 2013. […]


Metropolitan Opera Reaches Tentative Agreement

Musicians and management of The Metropolitan Opera reached a tentative agreement the morning of August 18 after an all-night bargaining session, avoiding a lockout threatened by opera management. Federal mediators stepped in late in July. In August, Eugene Kelin, co-founder of KPS Capital Partners, was brought in to conduct an independent financial analysis. A tentative […]


Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra Reaches Agreement

In late May, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra (CSPO) musicians and board ratified a new five-year contract. The agreement follows a tumultuous year during which a proposed tentative agreement was rejected in October 2013. The negotiation process involved two committees, two negotiators, and two federal mediators. Major sticking points included attendance policies, service guarantees, travel pay, per service […]








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