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.
Published in early 1806, Kreutzer’s 40 Études ou Caprices for violin—there are 42 today—are the product of his years-long employment at the Conservatoire de Paris and are the most comprehensive collection of studies from his quill. Their systematic and complete reappraisal of essential violin technique make them an indispensable tool of the trade for every […]
August 31, 2020
Anna Maria Mendieta Harpist Anna Maria Mendieta’s newest album, Tango Del Cielo, is a collection of Argentine tango and Spanish classical music. The album includes arrangements for harp and orchestra featuring works by Astor Piazzolla, Pablo Ziegler, and more. These orchestrations have been created by award-winning composers, including Jorge Calandrelli; pianist for Piazzolla, Pablo Ziegler; […]
August 31, 2020
Mark Reed If you’ve ever been touched by the Muse you won’t be surprised to learn that the seed for Mark Reed’s lifetime work, Message to Home, was planted in a dream sequence: “It only lasted about 15 seconds, but it inspired me to consider how an objective observation of life on Earth might look,” […]
August 31, 2020
The Steve Spiegl Big Band The latest album by The Steve Spiegl Big Band celebrates the band’s 50th year in existence as a staple of the LA rehearsal band scene. It was recorded by the some of the top LA studio musicians and jazz soloists. Recorded over three days at Capitol Studios, The LA Sessions […]
August 27, 2020
In this publication, author and pianist Martin Doepke presents 13 compositions that transport us into a fantasy world. Each piece tells its own story, one romantically playful, the other mystically melancholic or with a pulsing rhythm. All players can expect a variety of musical genres (film music, musicals, etc.). Piano Tales, by Martin Doepke, Universal […]
August 27, 2020
This volume contains excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s three ballets: “Swan Lake,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “The Nutcracker.” Each excerpt is annotated and discussed as to how it should be played musically, and suggestions that may help players facilitate the technical aspects of the music and be aware of any performance concerns. Authors Plotkin, of Local 6 (San […]
August 27, 2020
Richard Niles’ new book will help you become a better musician, composer, and arranger. Niles, of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA), encourages musicians to think, explore, and discover their own inner voice to develop a personal style. The exercises stress that there is more than one way to solve a musical challenge, demonstrating that orchestration, […]
August 27, 2020
Dick Weissman’s A New History of American and Canadian Folk Music presents a provocative discussion of the history, evolution, and current status of folk music in the United States and Canada. This book examines the history of folk music and how it evolved from an agrarian style as it became increasingly urbanized. Scholar-performer Weissman, of […]
August 27, 2020
Twelve etudes are presented in a specific order. The first is in unison in C major, the second in seconds in C minor, the third in thirds in D major, the fourth in fourths in D minor, and so on. Most feature a 16-measure theme, followed by two 16-measure variations. The final etudes are in […]
August 27, 2020
In honor of Charlie Parker’s 2020 centennial, and in conjunction with his estate, Hal Leonard has published Charlie Parker: The Complete Scores boxed set. The collection features a hardcover book with 40 note-for-note transcriptions for all the instruments that played on each iconic track. Published to coincide with the centennial of Parker’s birth on August […]