Why
Join the AFM?
Good
question. Great reasons.
It's
a Great Time to Be a Member
The AFM is
the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing
the interests of professional musicians.
Members, who
number over 110,000 musicians, perform all styles of music-alternative
rock, classical, pop, gospel, jazz, country, folk, rock, big band,
reggae, contemporary Christian, etc. With such active members
as Diana Krall, Billy Joel, Melissa Etheridge, Wynton Marsalis,
Lyle Lovett, The Tragically Hip, and Carlos Santana, there is
a strong representation of major recording individuals and groups.
The AFM has
been promoting and protecting professional musicians for over
100 years and continues to be an effective advocate for musicians'
rights in the workplace (be that on a symphony stage, in a recording
studio, or on tour).
Members of
the AFM are secure in knowing that their organization is actively
lobbying to promote legislation that protects musicians' interests,
as well as negotiating collective bargaining agreements with the
recording industry, motions picture industry, jingle industry,
TV networks, and National Public TV and Radio-providing excellent
wages and working conditions for its members.
If you are
a full-time or part-time musician, it is to your advantage to
belong to the only organization that truly represents the interests
of musical artists and performers.
We've
Got You Covered
Musicians'
Liability Insurance
This policy provides up to $1,000,000 for each occurrence and
up to $2,000,000 of aggregate coverage for lawsuits arising out
of bodily injury and/or damage to property of others, occurring
on or off premises during your performance.
Equipment
Insurance
Only you know the value of your instruments and equipment. Just
think of the amount of money it would take to replace them. Most
homeowner's and renter's insurance is not enough to protect you
from loss, theft, or damage on location. The AFM provides access
to "All-risk" Musical Instrument and Equipment Insurance
Plan. Your instruments and music-related equipment are protected
from vandalism, breakage, water, fire, lightning, and theft up
to the full replacement value.
Travel
Health Insurance
When you are working or out of the Province where you reside,
this policy will cover all of your hospital and medical expenses
by the "direct pay method." The insurance company will
pay directly to the hospital or doctor as opposed to you paying
first, submitting the bill to the insurance and then being reimbursed.
Coverage is on an annual basis, and although the maximum length
per trip is 60 days, the number of trips per year is unlimited.
This insurance coverage is available at a cost which is considerably
less than policies issued by other travel health plans.
Special
Funds for AFM Members
Emergency
Travel Assistance Program (ETAP or ROAD GIG)
ETAP-Road Gig offers emergency assistance for members get to the
next gig or back home if a contracted engagement is cancelled
or if the purchaser/employer defaults on the contract. You must
have a contract on file with your local to use this service.
Recording
Industries Music Performance Funds (MPTF)
The MPTF was created in 1948, by then AFM President James Petrillo
and the recording industry as an AFM collective bargaining initiative
and has been sustained through ongoing collective bargaining agreements
between the AFM and the recording industry. The trust fund is
a source of funding for live concerts that are admission-free
and open to the public.
Lester
Petrillo Memorial Fund for Disabled AFM Musicians
The Lester Petrillo Memorial Fund is a charitable fund that provides
financial aid to disabled members. This fund is not intended to
replace health insurance or provide general loans, but does assist
qualified applicants on an emergency basis.
American
Federation of Musicians' and Employers' Pension Fund (AFM-EPW)
The AFM-EPW Pension Fund is one of the largest pension funds in
the entertainment industry with more than a half billion in assets.
Every year millions of dollars are paid out to musicians who have
participated in this benefit.
Legislative
Representation
The AFM is actively involved at the national, provincial and local
levels, advocating and lobbying for legislation that benefits
the lives of working musicians including public funding for the
arts, "Status of the Artist", special tax considerations
for musicians, copyright, and intellectual property laws.
Free
Subscription to the International Musician
The International
Musician is the official journal of the AFM. Published monthly
and sent to all members, this informative newspaper delivers articles
of current interest to professional musicians, such as educational
resources, labor news, marketing and career building ideas, as
well as audition notices and help wanted ads.
The International
Musician is available online in the private members-only area
of the AFM website. Members may search online through past issues
in International Musician archives.
Audition
Ads
Monthly audition and help wanted ads are posted in the International
Musician. Beginning the first of each month, audition ads
are available online in the private members-only area the AFM
website. Check out audition ads before they appear in print. Auditions
are searchable by instrument online.
Online
Resources and Forums
In addition to the International Musician online, there's
a lot of new and exciting information inside www.afm.org. Over
30 forums where you can ask questions of other members or just
talk shop; official publications, like our International Bylaws
and convention proceedings; a member search where you can find
other AFM members; a complete listing of AFM staff with contact
information.
Discounts
on Products and Musical Instruments
Giardinelli's
Musical Instrument Catalog
- a full-line discount catalog of brass and woodwind instruments,
marching percussion instruments, concert percussion instruments,
violins, violas, cellos, and more. AFM members receive an extra
5% discount off the already discounted price.
Gand
Music and Sound
- The State of the Art catalog is published three times a year.
It features recording gear, studio monitors, software, drum machines,
keyboards, MIDI, guitars and accessories, microphones, sound systems,
and more. They offer AFM members an extra 5% off their published
discounted prices, plus free shipping on selected accessory items.
Steve's
Music Store
- in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. Save $5 off any purchase over
$100, an extra 10% off any regularly priced music book, CD, or
equipment rental.
Music
Books PIus - 10% off any book, tape, or video from
their Canadian catalogue.
AFM
Online Marketplace - Available at afm.org, the exclusive,
members-only AFM Marketplace offers outstanding selection, unique
promotions, and discounts of up to 30% from such reputable online
dealers as Barnes & Noble, Sharper Image, Toys R Us, J.Crew,
and OfficeMax. Members find this to be a quick, easy, safe, and
secure way to shop online from the comfort of the home or office.
Discounted
Major Cruise Line Bookings
- Cruises Inc. provides discounted major cruise line bookings
to AFM members. Members can receive a free 32-page cruise directory,
packed with impartial cruise observations and tips, plus special
prices for AFM members.
Car
Rental Discounts
- As a union member you can save up to 25% on car rentals. Present
your AFM Advantage coupon and receive additional benefits, such
as car class upgrades and additional discounts up to $15,
Union
Assistance
Signatory
Booking Agents
The AFM has a list of franchised booking agents for the US and
Canada that can be accessed at www.afm.org. It is also available
in booklet form by contacting the AFM. These agents are signatories
to the AFM's Booking Agent Agreement which sets standards for
legally enforceable contracts specifying negotiated fees, working
conditions, and commissions.
Legal
Contracts
Local and international agreements are important for protecting
your work. A signed AFM contract offers you protection for individual
engagements, steady engagements, and traveling work. The AFM has
a standard form contract that all members are entitled to use.
It contains the AFM seal and when properly filled out and filed
with the local officer to help collect payments in the case of
a
for download from the
Negotiated
Agreements
International, national and local agreements covering all types
of musical work ensure fair and timely payments as well as benefits
and royalties (where applicable) for the reuse and new use of
music recorded under these agreements.
Immigration
Assistance
The AFM is an international union representing professional musicians
in both the United States and Canada. On behalf of its members
who accept gigs across the border, the Federation works with the
governments of both countries to cut through the hassle of "red
tape" usually associated with obtaining work visas in either
location. This assistance is available for both US and Canadian
musicians. There are specialized Canadian and US forms, both formats
conform to the laws of the individual countries, are easy to complete,
and provide comprehensive legal protection for either single engagement
or touring dates.
Discover
the AFM Advantage
American
Federation of Musicians of the United States & Canada
www.afm.org
