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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Home » Officer Columns » The International Musician Survey Results Are In!


The International Musician Survey Results Are In!

  -  AFM International Secretary-Treasurer

The International Musician survey results are in. A total of 4,254 individuals completed the survey and much was learned from those who participated. Below is some general information about those responding and their IM reading habits.

IM Survey Statistics

International Musician Survey Results

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    • Almost every local has members who responded (174 locals responded; 13 locals had no members respond).
    • Respondents overwhelmingly work as full-time, professional musicians, but some are students or retired. (78% of respondents identify as professional musicians, 13% identify as retired, 6% as amateur, and 2% as students)
    • Respondents, like our membership, work everywhere there is music. Approximately half identify as freelancers. In the past year, 51% have primarily worked as freelancers, 21% in symphonies, 11% in teaching, 5% in recording, 4% in theaters, and 8% have not worked as a musician. (See genre chart at right for more specific information.)
    • 89% of respondents regularly read the magazine. (At least every two or three months)
    • Most International Musician respondents read half or more of the magazine. (54% of those reading IM every two to three months)
    • Most respondents (73%) would prefer to read International Musician in print, if they had to choose between print or online versions.
    • Overwhelmingly, International Musician respondents rated the magazine good or excellent. Content (79%), cover (84%), ease of reading (82%), layout and design (77%), and writing (76%) were rated “good” or “excellent.”
    • Musicians are always looking for their next gig and most never miss reading the audition ads, but the majority of International Musician respondents enjoy [most] all the sections. Every section was rated “very much enjoy, always read” or “enjoy, read occasionally” by a majority—54% to 89%. (See table on right for section details.)
    • Cover stories are the most popular content. (89% “very much enjoy, always read” or “enjoy, read occasionally”)
  • But not everyone loves everything. Some respondents would like more content about the genres they work in and/or less content about genres they are not involved in. That’s why we are always sure to represent the diversity of our membership and cover a variety of musicians and genres.

International Musician Suggestions from Survey Respondents

International Musician Survey Results

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• More practical career advice

• More content that features “regular” working musicians

• Less procedural, bureaucratic, and organizational detail (This was the most common area respondents did not care for or wanted to see less of in International Musician.

[Publisher’s Note: As the IM is the official journal of the AFM, publishing new rules or regulations, notices, agreements, etc. is a necessary and vital function of the IM.]

• Travel and touring content

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to the survey. It is our desire to make the IM as relevant and interesting to our readers as possible. We always welcome your comments and suggestions.







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