President’s Message

For many, August is synonymous with winding down, stepping away from the daily grind, and taking a well-deserved summer vacation. Many symphonic workplaces enjoy a brief summer hiatus. But for union leadership and player conference delegates and members, summer tells a very different story. While the rest of the world slows its pace, our player conferences jump into high gear.

Your AFM leadership attends all of these conferences, so my summer is defined by full schedules, packed agendas, and a lot of travel.

At the conferences, AFM leadership, musicians, and conference officers address the unique working conditions, challenges, and contractual needs of specific segments of our membership. The year’s season began in Dallas, Texas, in late July with the Theatre Musicians Association (TMA) Conference followed by the Regional Orchestra Players Association (ROPA) Conference.

During August, the Organization of Canadian Symphony and Opera Musicians (OCSM) meets in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with a focus on the distinct legal, cultural, and economic landscapes facing Canadian symphonic performers. Finally, the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) gathers in Honolulu, Hawaii, August 19-22.

While racking up travel miles across these destinations might sound like a getaway on paper, make no mistake—these are not vacations. These conferences represent intense, focused work. By bringing members together from different locals, our player conferences strengthen the backbone of the AFM. They bridge geographical gaps, foster deep solidarity, and allow us to share vital information on contract standards, working conditions, and organizing strategies. The collective voice and vision emerging from these meetings guide the priorities and direction of our entire Federation.

Because these summer meetings require absolute commitment, they sometimes demand difficult trade-offs. Due to a scheduling conflict with the TMA conference, I was regrettably unable to attend the upcoming meeting of the Labor Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy for the Office of the US Trade Representative. First appointed to the Committee in 2023, I represent entertainment workers alongside the Department of Professional Employees and Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). While representing our musicians on national policy panels is essential, navigating these overlapping commitments requires striking the right balance for each situation as it arises.

The power of our player conferences reflects a broader synergy: our union is strongest when we’re connected and we work together. To that end, I have also focused efforts on strengthening our alliances with other unions, both nationally and internationally. In today’s interconnected world, the music industry completely transcends borders.

It is not just about showing solidarity—there is also much we can learn from shared experiences and seeing how other labor organizations are growing and changing to meet modern challenges. Musicians tour globally, collaborate internationally, and can instantly reach fans around the world. Because of this, the AFM must also grow, adapt, and innovate with the times if we are to remain strong and relevant.

In addition to our conference travel, August brings us back to the bargaining table to continue negotiations for the Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SRLA) in New York on August 4-6. Protecting our recording musicians, securing critical healthcare coverage, and establishing strong artificial intelligence protections in an evolving industry are essential to our future. Look for a much deeper dive into those negotiations and the work of the Electronic Media Services Division (EMSD) in the September issue of International Musician.

I encourage you to read the feature articles from our Symphonic Services Division (SSD) and symphonic player conference reports in this issue, starting on page 10. This issue’s cover story puts a spotlight on the musicians of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra (Local 101-473), who are pushing back against severe proposed cuts to pay, personnel, and programming. See how the DPO Players Committee is building a courageous campaign alongside the AFM, local labor allies, and dedicated patrons.

Looking ahead, now is also the time to start planning your local Labor Day events, parades, and celebrations as we prepare to honor the power and history of our labor movement together. I look forward to browsing social media and seeing our locals represented at events.

To all who are traveling to represent your locals and conferences this month, I wish you safe travels. I look forward to connecting with many of you on the road and hope you all find well-deserved time to relax with family and friends this summer.

I have just returned from Ottawa, Ontario, where delegates from across the United States and Canada gathered for the 103rd AFM Convention. This convention marked our first return to Canada for an international legislative session since 1973. It was a week of fierce democracy, intense debate, and common purpose, and I could not be prouder of the work we accomplished together to chart the next three years of our Federation.

Conventions are not vacations; they are demanding working sessions where the democratic backbone of our union is tested and strengthened. Over four days, your elected delegates engaged directly with the existential realities facing the modern musician. We did not shy away from the tough conversations. Our industry stands at a critical crossroads, and the choices made on the convention floor reflect a collective determination to create a union that will grow and support all musicians.

We were also reminded that our fight is global and deeply interconnected. We were honored to be joined by an incredible slate of labor leaders and industry partners from across the globe, including representatives from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), the AFL-CIO, the Musicians’ Union (UK), the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), IATSE, Actors’ Equity, and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). Together with allies from the AFL-CIO Department of Professional Employees (DPE), the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund, SoundExchange, and the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF), their presence underscored our vital role within the broader entertainment and labor movements.

A cornerstone of our week was celebrating our collective progress. Delegates proudly recognized our newest player conference, the Freelance Musicians Association (FMA), ensuring independent players have representation within our Federation’s governance. We also took time to honor the incredible work being done on the ground. The 2026 Organizing Awards highlight the inspiring, grassroots campaigns that continue to bring new musicians into our union family. The AFM Diversity Awards champion inclusion and diversity and honor locals and individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity.

Furthermore, delegates rigorously debated and enacted essential structural recommendations and bylaw changes designed to modernize our operations. I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of the delegates who volunteered their time, energy, and passion in Ottawa—your engagement remains the bedrock of our union.

The democratic process proved that while our Federation is vastly diverse, spanning differing geographic regions and musical genres, we are undivided in our core mission. Delegates challenged ideas and refined strategies, but ultimately united behind a shared vision to build power and equity for every working musician.

The message from the convention floor was unmistakable: our strength depends on expanding our ranks. The strategic planning we undertook over the last three years has set a clear path for the future of our union. There is no time to slow down or backtrack; we must remain unified as we move forward.

Driven by this vision, I am fully committed to working with our newly elected International Executive Board to organize musicians from all genres—whether they work in orchestras, in clubs, in theaters, on the road, or in music education—to grow our membership, secure better protections, and build a stronger Federation.

In preparation for the 103rd AFM Convention in Ottawa (June 20-23), I have been looking back on the work of the AFM since the last convention. As I stated in the AFM 2025 Annual Report, it’s clear that the Federation stands at a crossroads. Our greatest strength has always been our unity, but in an era defined by a fluctuating economic landscape and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, unity alone is no longer enough. To secure our future, we must pair our traditional solidarity with an aggressive, forward-looking strategy.

To ensure this strategy reflects the immediate needs of our musicians, the AFM International Executive Board (IEB) recently launched a comprehensive feedback initiative. Earlier this year, we emailed you a membership survey, which we paired with a series of listening sessions with local leadership across the United States and Canada. While we didn’t get to every local, we are deeply committed to continuing these listening sessions throughout the summer.

The message sent back to us was loud and clear: our technology is out of date, locals need more resources to organize new work, and organizing new work should be the number one priority.

• Organizing New Work: Specifically, 35% of members stated that organizing should be our absolute top priority, followed by negotiating contracts and agreements at 26%.
• Industry Concerns: Our members are deeply concerned about the economic landscape—49% reported that things are “getting worse” for musicians these days, while only 17% feel the industry is “getting better.”
• A Desire to Get Involved: In an encouraging demonstration of solidarity, a massive 25% of members declared: “I am willing to volunteer my time to help organize more employers and get them onto contract.”

Expanding Our Resources

The survey results confirm what the IEB has long recognized. Over the past three years, we have already been actively tracking toward these very goals. Translating this vision into measurable growth, the AFM has begun the move beyond support roles to build a more active organizing model—expanding field resources and developing tools to empower musicians and locals:

• Symphonic Services Department (SSD): We actively expanded our infrastructure by adding dedicated negotiators to defend our orchestral musicians.
• Field Services Department: We rebuilt the field services department, fully staffing it with six international representatives (IRs), and added an IR specializing in local compliance and fiduciary responsibility.
• Freelance Services Department: We’re expanding the department’s reach, adding staff, and investing in digital infrastructure to scale up services for freelance musicians. This increased capacity directly supports the growth of our freelance sector, anchored by the newly recognized Freelance Musicians Association (FMA) player conference.
• Organizing Department: We scaled up operations to an expanded organizing services framework capable of balancing high-density theatrical hubs with the realities of regional touring circuits and unique Canadian labor environments.

The detailed department reports are available in the 2025 Annual Report in the members.AFM.org Document Library.

Planning Our Next Chapter

Providing resources to meet immediate needs is only the first step. To secure our union’s future for the next generation, we must move beyond temporary support and permanently fortify our capacity.

Based on the clear mandate from the membership survey and listening sessions, the IEB has unanimously put forth five recommendations (published in the May issue of the International Musician). These measures will modernize how we do business, inject fresh resources into our locals, and allow us to prioritize aggressive new organizing and communications strategies.

In his column on page 4, Secretary-Treasurer Ken Shirk details how true organizing requires real resources, people, and a structural pivot. The IEB’s recommendations are designed to fund and enforce this framework. I strongly encourage all members, and especially our convention delegates, to read Secretary-Treasurer Shirk’s message for a deep dive into how Recommendation No. 1 and Recommendation No. 2 provide the financial and strategic capacity to organize the thousands of independent musicians who belong in our ranks.

Defining the Future

Right now, the Federation is actively engaged in some of the most critical contract battles and defensive campaigns in our history. We continue to address the threat of artificial intelligence both legislatively and at the bargaining table in our current Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SRLA) negotiations—demanding ironclad contract protections regarding consent, compensation, and credit for machine learning models. Furthermore, we are already structuring our strategy for the upcoming Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) negotiations in 2027, establishing a united front to ensure that musicians’ work used in motion picture, streaming, and television is fiercely protected against digital exploitation.

While we continue to protect our members on major stages and in recording studios, the AFM’s ultimate growth relies on championing independent freelance creators—building a forward-looking union that values every gig, contract, and musician.

If we want a vibrant future, we must shift from a defensive posture to an offensive strategy. Whether a member is performing on a symphonic stage, playing in a theater pit, recording for a major motion picture, or navigating the independent club circuit, they deserve a union that is as dynamic as the art they create. Every working musician in the United States and Canada needs to be able to instantly recognize the AFM, identify a local they can join, and clearly understand how we improve their economic bottom line.

With the 103rd AFM Convention approaching this June, our recent International Executive Board (IEB) meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was a very productive week of hard work and tough decisions. The board focused on strengthening our union’s structure and ensuring that all areas of our membership are heard and represented in the decisions that shape our future.

Recognizing the Freelance Musicians Association

The defining moment of this meeting was the board’s unanimous decision to grant player conference status to the Freelance Musicians Association (FMA), which entitles it to representation at the AFM Convention in June.

I am excited to announce this decision, as it becomes a milestone for a significant portion of our membership. Freelance musicians are the backbone of our Federation. They are the professionals who keep local music scenes alive, whether whether gigging in clubs, teaching the next generation of musicians, or performing with a variety of ensembles throughout their communities. However, the freelance community often lacks the centralized structure of a major symphony or a long-running theatrical production, which can make organizing and representation difficult.

The FMA has evolved from humble beginnings as a small grassroots movement of passionate freelancers into a vibrant, binational body of working musicians from dozens of locals, dedicated to strengthening the economic security, professional standing, and collective power of those in self-directed and multi-employer work.

In collaboration with Federation leadership, AFM locals, and allied organizations, the FMA expands access to resources, promotes equitable standards across nontraditional and emerging areas of work, and supports organizing efforts that address the specific needs of freelance careers—including live performance, recording, and touring.

The FMA now joins the ranks of the AFM’s established player conferences: the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM), the Regional Orchestra Players Association (ROPA), the Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians (OCSM), the Recording Musicians Association (RMA), and the Theatre Musicians’ Association (TMA). For more information on the FMA and its mission, I encourage you to visit www.afmfreelance.org.

AFM Convention Preparation

During the April meeting, the IEB spent considerable time drafting Recommendations for the 103rd AFM Convention. These proposals are the result of careful analysis of the current state of the industry and the internal needs of our Federation.

Our union’s strength depends on an open and active democratic process, so our goal is to provide delegates with the information they need to make decisions that benefit the entire membership. I urge all members and delegates to review the proposed Recommendations and Resolutions on page 18. These bylaw changes are essential for anyone who wants to see our union thrive. Your review ensures your delegates act with the full support and informed consent of the membership.

Strengthening Ties with Local 555 and the Musicians of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico possesses a rich musical culture that is deeply rooted in tradition and finding new growth in its talented musical community. The musical opportunities in Local 555 (San Juan, PR) are diverse, ranging from prestigious orchestral seats to a thriving independent music scene that spans various genres.

While in Puerto Rico, I had the opportunity to engage directly with the local musical community. Accompanied by Director of Symphonic Services Rochelle Skolnick, Director of Organizing Services Gabe Kristal, and Field Organizer Paul Bissember, we attended a rehearsal with the musicians of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Puerto Rico and met many of the members of the Puerto Rico Philharmonic Camerata Orchestra.

Our discussions with these musicians centered on the specific challenges of maintaining professional standards in a unique economic environment. The commitment of the Puerto Rican musicians to their craft and their union remains an inspiration to the entire Federation. We remain dedicated to working alongside Local 555 to guarantee that these world-class musicians receive the support they deserve.

Continuing the Fight for the Sound Recording Labor Agreement Protections

Looking ahead to the rest of May, our focus shifts toward the bargaining table. Negotiations for the Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SRLA) are ongoing, and we will be returning to meet with the record labels later this month. This agreement is among the most significant for professional recording artists, as it covers the essential terms and conditions under which musicians are hired to produce sound recordings.

The continuing centerpiece of the SRLA negotiations will be addressing the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning. We are making it a primary goal to secure language regarding consent, compensation, and credit for the use of musicians’ tracks in machine learning models. As technology evolves, our contracts must evolve with it to prevent the unauthorized exploitation of our members’ work. The AFM will continue the fight to ensure that no matter how music is created or distributed, the human musicians behind the notes are fairly compensated and their intellectual property is respected.

The coming months will be a period of intense activity and significant change for the AFM. From the bargaining table with the major labels to the halls of our June convention, our focus remains on protecting the rights, livelihoods, and economic security of professional musicians across the US and Canada. Whether you are a freelance performer in a local club, an orchestral player in San Juan, or a recording artist in a major studio, this Federation stands ready to protect your rights and elevate your profession. I look forward to connecting with our delegates and members in June as we continue this vital work together.

As I write this column, we have concluded the second round of our Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SRLA) negotiations. We have made some progress but are still far from an agreement. While things are moving slowly, I am pleased to report the positive impact of rally we held March 11 in Times Square. I thank Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) for attending and offering his support. We were able to send a clear message to the major labels that they face a strong and united front. You can read more about the rally on page 8.

Stronger Together: SSD and Organizing Services

This issue of the International Musician turns the spotlight on symphonic musicians and our Symphonic Services Division (SSD). This is an area where we have seen some strong organizing campaigns. While symphony orchestras are already among the most highly organized institutions in North America, we are making new strides with smaller groups, summer festival orchestras, and music teachers. Many symphony musicians supplement their income by working as music teachers as well as performing and teaching at summer music festivals. They deserve the protections and fair pay provided by collective agreements in these positions as well.

The AFM SSD and Organizing Services Department are actively working with and supporting musicians of the True Concord Voices and Orchestra, members of Local 33 (Tucson, AZ). We are waiting for management to recognize the union but have achieved over 75% of musicians in support of organizing.

The AFM is working with Local 380-443 (Binghamton-Oneonta, NY) and musicians of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, who have signed union cards. Musicians of the Vista Philharmonic at Groton Hill Music Center, who won an election to be represented by Local 173-300 (Fitchburg, MA) in 2023, are currently negotiating for their first collective bargaining agreement.

We’ve also led successful organizing campaigns with music education institutions at Sistema New Brunswick with Local 815 (Saint John, NB) and Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) with Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA). The Heart of Los Angeles YOLA site had a National Labor Relations Board election in early December 2025 and won union certification overwhelmingly. Later in the month, the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) certified Local 47 at the YOLA Camino Nuevo site and a new site at Cisneros.

If you are performing in an orchestra, a summer festival, or teaching at an institution without the protections of a collective agreement, reach out to your local or the Organizing Services Department to learn more about how we can support an organizing campaign in your workplace.

A Proactive Partnership

These successes are the result of our Organizing Services Department and SSD working together like never before. By integrating these departments, we are shifting from a reactive model to a proactive one. This partnership provides a Federation-wide support system that reaches musicians across the United States and Canada, ensuring that no local or ensemble has to navigate the complexities of labor relations alone.

The enhanced Organizing Department does more than just sign cards; it empowers musicians. Organizing also works closely with the AFM Education Department to train both locals and musicians on union organization. We are providing musicians with the tools to understand their rights, build internal committees, and develop the collective leverage necessary to secure fair contracts. Whether it is a regional orchestra in Ontario or a freelance ensemble in the Southwest, this collaborative approach ensures that the high standards of the AFM are upheld everywhere.

Expanding Our Field Staff

To support this growth, we are investing heavily in our greatest asset: our staff. With the addition of two new SSD negotiators this month, the division now has five full-time negotiators. You can read about our newest negotiators on page 11. We are also planning to add a part-time, French-speaking SSD negotiator later this year to better serve our francophone members.

We also continue to grow our organizing team by adding a total of four regional organizers this year. These organizers will be on the ground, providing the direct mentorship and strategic education our musicians need to win. To better serve our diverse membership, we have also hired a bilingual Spanish and a bilingual French organizer. By building this infrastructure, we aren’t just growing our numbers—we are strengthening the voice of every musician in the Federation. Look for more information and introductions in the May IM.