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 7, 2016
IM -This month’s Federal Arts Connection focuses on agency websites with leads for employment opportunities in the federal government. Jobs USA is the federal government’s primary employment announcement site and hosts civilian opportunities in the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, the Endowments, the Veterans Administration, as well as federal performance facilities funded and managed by the US Department of the Interior. Agencies across the country are looking for music teachers and arts counselors for military base community family recreational programs and music therapists, to name just a few opportunities. Other jobs requiring a specialty in music also exist. Find out how to book yourself or your ensemble In the National Parks, for example. Military music programs not only need instrumentalists, vocalists, conductors, composers, and arrangers from every genre of music, but these units also have positions for audio-recording technicians and other workers whose skills are specific to keeping professional music units operational. All military band jobs require military enlistment and military service. More federal programs will be featured in the July International Musician. If you know of other performance or job opportunities through in federal facilities, drop me a line and we will feature it in this column. If you have photos of you or your ensemble performing at any of these federal facilities, send them to apollard@afm.org. We’ll get them posted.
GOVERNMENT ARTS EMPLOYMENT WEBSITES:
Jobs USA
https://www.usajobs.gov/
(Search music in US Location)
US Department of the Interior
https://www.doi.gov/
(Search music. There are many of performance opportunities at venues in national parks.)
Carter Barron Amphitheater—Washington, DC
https://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/cbarronschedule.htm
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
www.KennedyCenter.org
http://chp.tbe.taleo.net/chp01/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp?org=THEKENNC&cws=1&org=THEKENNC
(Administrative employment 0pportunities)
Wolf Trap Foundation/Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
www.wolftrapfoundation.org
http://www.wolftrap.org/about/employment_opportunities.aspx
(Administrative employment opportunities.)
National Endowment for the Arts
https://www.arts.gov/about/employment-opportunities-nea
(Administrative employment opportunities.)
MILITARY BAND/MUSIC CAREERS
United States Army Bands
http://www.goarmy.com/band/about-army-bands/auditions.html
West Point Academy Band
http://www.usma.edu/band/SitePages/Home.aspx-
United States Navy Bands
https://www.navy.com/careers/arts-media/musician-jobs.html#ft-key-responsibilities
United States Naval Academy Band
http://www.usna.edu/USNABand/
United States Air Force Bands
http://www.bands.af.mil/careers/
United States Air Force Academy Band
http://www.usafacademyband.af.mil/
United States Marine Band
www.marineband.marines.mil
United States Coast Guard Bands
http://www.uscg.mil/band/Careers/vacancies.asp
United States Coast Guard Academy Band
http://www.uscg.mil/band/
MILITARY TALENT SHOWS (For enlisted personnel only)
US Army “Soldier Show”
http://www.armymwr.com/soldier-show.aspx
US Air Force “Tops in Blue”
https://www.reachtheairforce.com/TopsInBlue.aspx
US Marines “Marines Got Talent” 29 Palms
https://metavideos.com/video/2407215/marines-got-talent