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.
October 1, 2024
In the August IM, I wrote about taking action to change symphonic workplace culture around sexual misconduct. In that column, I highlighted the ways in which power differentials and boundary violations contribute to a culture in which sexual misconduct occurs and has too often been allowed to persist. There are built-in hierarchies in our workplaces. […]
August 1, 2024
While it is important to reflect on the reasons why our workplaces may be uniquely susceptible to it, it is equally important to develop a plan for addressing sexual misconduct when it occurs. Every single musician can play a role in ridding our workplaces of sexual misconduct by learning the skill of bystander intervention and by actively resetting boundaries and norms for what behavior is acceptable and encouraged.
August 1, 2024
by Laurence Hofmann, AFM Symphonic Services Division Communications and Data Coordinator; Immigration Department Visa Consultation Administrator; Touring/Theatre/Booking Division Contract Administrator The AFM, together with the symphonic player conferences, has long been collecting data about wages and working conditions of affiliated orchestras. In 2015, a database was built to address environmental concerns about the waste of […]
August 1, 2024
by Todd Jelen, AFM Symphonic Service Division Negotiator/Organizer/Educator We often see the external show of power and solidarity from our AFM members and other union members during contract campaigns and new organizing drives. While these are important instances in our collective histories, they are not the only times we are able to internally organize our […]
August 1, 2024
by Jane Owen, AFM Symphonic Services Division Negotiator Keeping track of your orchestra’s finances should be an ongoing process, and not something to be considered solely in the months before contract negotiations. Many committee members are tracking finances already. For those who are new to an orchestra committee (OC), or have never looked at an […]
August 1, 2024
by Adam DeSorgo, AFM Symphonic Services Division Negotiator “Oh, it’s such a minor violation, I don’t want to file a grievance over it.” “We shouldn’t antagonize the management.” “Filing a grievance will be provocative.” “We’ve gone five years without filing a grievance because our relationship with management is good.” It’s not uncommon to hear some […]
August 1, 2024
by Deborah Newmark, AFM Symphonic Electronic Media Director It has been a few years since we last reviewed the orchestra committee’s role and responsibilities under the Integrated Media Agreement (IMA). We have a new 2023-2026 agreement, so it’s time for a refresher for long-standing members of the orchestra committee and to introduce these tasks to […]
August 1, 2024
en francais : Le KWS sauvé par la solidarité de ses musiciens by Bernard LeBlanc, AFM Symphonic Services, Canada, Directorand Richard Sandals, AFM Symphonic Services, Canada, Associate Director On September 21, 2023, management of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony (KWS) declared bankruptcy just as the 52 musicians of KWS, members of Local 226 (Kitchener, ON), were expecting […]
August 1, 2024
by Keith Carrick, ICSOM Chair and Member of Local 104 (Salt Lake City, UT) This year, International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) orchestras have been confronting the pressing issue of sexual misconduct within our industry. The revelations of such behavior have prompted a necessary and urgent dialogue on these problems. ICSOM remains steadfast […]
Summer festivals are a staple of off-season work for many orchestra musicians. Not only is it a great opportunity to work with colleagues from other orchestras, but many festivals also take place in desirable locations, where musicians can take advantage of outdoor summer activities. CMF is a prime example, comprising five weeks of major orchestral repertoire and premieres of new works in the stunning surrounds of Boulder, Colorado.