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 27, 2016
We all know that exercise is good for you. But you may not know all that exercise is good for.
June 22, 2016
Here are some things you might want to consider when that club, theater, private party, or corporate event says: “You charge how much?” or “Can you do it for less?”
June 1, 2016
Following are some general tips to follow to help avoid strain and injury:
June 1, 2016
This first edition of the Federal Arts Connection (below) features a few of the resources available. Additional resources will be unveiled each month.
April 27, 2016
What is happening in the minds and bodies of musicians when they play their best? Are peak performance and flow simply subjective perceptions of performance excellence? Or are they distinct mental states, a defined set of optimal behaviors, a heightened sense of self-confidence, or some trick of human nature?
March 23, 2016
People with tinnitus can find relief by using hearing aids and other sound-amplification devices. Like a microphone, amplifier, or speaker, hearing aids can supplement the volume of outside noise and increase the amount of sound stimuli received and processed by the body’s auditory system.
February 1, 2016
Top 10 Healthy Food Tips for Touring — While it’s hard to maintain equilibrium and eat healthy on the road, there are things you can do to buffer stress, boost energy, and keep your immune system strong, in order to perform at your best.
January 1, 2016
How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions — One study of New Year’s resolvers published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology showed that, after six months, only 46% of the subjects had keep their resolutions.
December 1, 2015
Stage Fright — Stage fright, or more accurately, music performance anxiety (MPA), is one of the most commonly cited problems for professional musicians.
November 16, 2015
A study led by Canadian psychologist E. Glenn Schellenberg of University of Toronto-Mississauga confirmed that making music improves behavior in children.