Started in 1951 with a $10,000 personal contribution from then-President James C. Petrillo in memory of his late son, the Lester Petrillo Memorial Fund for Disabled Musicians is a charitable trust fund that provides financial aid to disabled members. For additional information, please contact the New York office at (917) 229-0224.
The MPF is the world’s largest sponsor of live, admission-free musical programs. Their priority is music that enhances education and affords students an opportunity to enjoy live music and interact with professional musicians. There is never an admission charge for MPF performances, and its performances cannot be used to raise money, sell merchandise, or promote political or religious events.
The Sound Recording Special Payments Fund (“SRSPF”) distributes annual supplemental wages to musicians under the collective bargaining agreement between the American Federation of Musicians (“AFM”) and the recording industry.
The Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund shall provide support to film musicians and the entertainment community worldwide and assist in establishing recognition of musicians’ work by ensuring the payment, processing and distribution of residuals generated by their talent and services.
Affiliated Funds
SoundExchange is the non-profit performance rights organization that collects statutory royalties from satellite radio (such as SIRIUS XM), internet radio, cable TV music channels and similar platforms for streaming sound recordings.
Pension Funds
The AFM Pension Fund site is loaded with information for plan participants and employers alike.
If you need to speak with someone, call our local Seattle office or get in touch with the AFM-EPF:
Maureen Kilkelly
(212) 284-1200 or 1-800-833-8065
mkilkelly@afmepf.org
4Culture is King County’s cultural services agency. 4Culture is located in Seattle, Washington, and was established in January of 2003 to continue the work of the King County Arts Commission, Public Art Commission and the heritage programs of the Landmarks Commission. In mid-2003, 4Culture launched a Preservation Program to promote the value of historic resources in building a unique sense of place in our region.
Artist Trust is committed to providing vital financial support and quality information services to artists working in all disciplines throughout Washington State.
The program established by the Corporate Council for the Arts for individuals to support the arts and arts education directly or through workplace giving drives.
Acts in an advisory capacity to the Bellevue City Council – It may hold public meetings and make such studies, analyses, and reports as requested by the City Council.
Enriches our Nation and its diverse cultural heritage by supporting works of artistic excellence, advancing learning in the arts, and strengthening the arts in communities throughout the country.
Cultural partnerships include funding opportunities, initiatives and training for organizations, individual artists, youth arts programs, neighborhood and community groups.
Comprised of six distinct charitable foundations that support the arts, music, health and human service organizations, community development programs, medical research, on-line learning and forest protection efforts.
Mostly serving the Portland, Oregon area, this council also lists regional calls to all artists, including the fields of music and multi-media art. They focus on integrating arts and culture in all aspects of community life and their list of competitions is updated monthly.
The Washington State Arts commission cultivates a thriving environment for creative expression and appreciation for the arts for the benefit of all; our website includes information about folk arts, community arts, art in public places, grants, cultural tourism, heritage tours, education, and more.
The Western States Arts Federation–is a regional nonprofit arts service organization dedicated to the creative advancement and preservation of the arts.
The principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.
The Office of Film & Music is devoted to promoting Seattle’s film and music industries. Sign up for the office‘s weekly newsletter or read archives at this site.
Mayor Bruce Harrell and the Seattle City of Music brings musicians, audiences, business leaders, educators and politicians together in enthusiastic support of the creative, economic and community value of music.
This Commission was established in June 2010 and is comprised of 21 members from Seattle’s diverse and expansive music industry. Local 76-493 Vice President Joan Sandler was appointed to the commission in February of 2012. Lead Organizer Nate Omdal succeeded Vice President Sandler in the fall of 2018.
Fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States.
The Washington State Legislature is a bicameral body with 49 members in the Senate and 98 members in the House of Representatives. Each district is served by one Senator and two House members.
Bringing social and economic justice to our nation by enabling working people to have a voice on the job, in government, in a changing global economy and in their communities.
Union Privilege is a nonprofit organization founded by the AFL-CIO in 1986 to provide excellent consumer benefit programs exclusively to union members (current and retired) and their families.
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (in conjunction with Screen Actors Guild)
American Federation of Musicians – National organization’s web site
AFM Player Conferences
- ICSOM – International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians
- OSCM – Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians
- ROPA – Regional Orchestra Players Associations
- RMA – Recording Musicians Association
- TMA – Theater Musicians Association
American Guild of Musical Artists. The labor organization that represents the men and women who create America’s operatic, choral, and dance heritage.
Our Brothers and Sisters across the pond.
America’s largest communications and media union, represents over 700,000 men and women in both private and public sectors.
The Harry Bridges Endowed Chair and Center for Labor Studies were created to be jointly housed in the departments of Political Science and History at the University of Washington.
IATSE
International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees
- IATSE Local 15 -The Western Washington Local of The International Alliance Of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists And Allied Crafts Of The United States, Its Territories And Canada, organized in the crafts of Stage and Projection
- IATSE Local 887 – The wardrobe local for Western Washington, located in Seattle, representing over 200 backstage wardrobe and costume shop employees in the Puget Sound area
The M.L. King County Labor Council is chartered by the AFL-CIO and strives to represent the interests of workers in King County. We are comprised of over 150 affiliates, including many local unions as well as local chapters of constituency groups.
The Labor Archives of Washington State (LAWS) was founded to preserve the records of working people and their unions and to serve as a center for historical research, ensuring that new generations have access to the rich labor history of the region.
SAG-AFTRA represents more than 165,000 actors, announcers, broadcasters journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other media professionals.
Fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States
The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is the largest labor organization in the Evergreen State. A state federation of the AFL-CIO, the WSLC is a voluntary non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and strengthening the rights and conditions of working people and their families.
LOCAL NEWS & CULTURE
• City Arts • Oregon Music News • Seattle Weekly
• KEXP Blog • Rain City Ambience • The Stranger
CLASSICAL MUSICIAN NEWS, FORUMS AND BLOGS:
• ArtsJournal • Conducting Masterclass • Sandow
• Adapistration • Inside The Arts • Slipped Disc
• Backstage Pass • Trumpet Herald
• Classical Almanac • NobleViola • Violinist.Com
COMMERCIAL & JAZZ
• All About Jazz • eJazzNews • JazzCorner
• Classic Rock Revisited
MUSIC HISTORY/TRIVIA
• Music Orb • NW Music Archives
UNIONS & LABOR
• Labornet • Sounds • Venuology
• TheStand • The Unionist
MUSICIAN FOCUSED PUBLICATIONS
• Acoustic Guitar • Harp Spectrum • Pianist
• Bass Player • The Instrumentalist • Piano and Synth
• Brass Musician • JazzTimes • Playbill Arts
• Classic Drummer • Keyboard • Strings
• Downbeat • Keyboard Player • Texas Music
• Drum Corps World • Making Music • Under the Radar
• Drum Magazine • Modern Drummer • Victory Music
• Electronic Musician • Percussion Magazine • The Viola Website
• Flutetalk • Performing Songwriter • The Strad
• Guitar Player • Performer Magazine
POP CULTURE
• Rolling Stone • Resonance • Variety
• Spin
RECORDING
• EQ Magazine • TapeOp • Recording
• Mix Magazine • Billboard Magazine
• Pro Sound News • CMJ Magazine
ASSOCIATIONS, GUILDS, CONFERENCES & SOCIETIES
• American Guild of Organists • International Trumpet Guild
• American Harp Society • International Tuba Euphonium Association
• American Viola Society • Music Teachers National Association
• Guitar Foundation of America • National Flute Association
• International Association for Jazz Education • Percussive Arts Society
• International Clarinet Association • Seattle Classic Guitar Society
• International Double Reed Society • Violin Society of America
• International Horn Society • Washington Music Educators Association
• International Society of Bassists • World Harp Congress
• International Trombone Association
Equipment & Supplies
4039 arrangements for concert band, jazz ensemble, jazz combo, and vocalists, PLUS recordings, fake books, and methods… all available to order online for same-day shipment!
The Woodwind and Brasswind offers the best selection of musical instruments and accessories at the guaranteed best price.
Orchestral Job Openings
You must have an AFM online password. These are updated on the 1st of each month.
Free for musicians
Licensing & A&R Access
Pump Audio represents the best independent music from around the world, for licensing to advertising, television, film and web clients.
Rumblefish is a groundbreaking music and technology company. They provide music licensing services to social media and technology companies, movie and TV production studios, advertisers, video game makers and iconic brands worldwide. We are focused on providing cutting-edge solutions to the many intellectual property issues facing social media companies, artists, music labels and publishers.
The world’s leading independent A&R company helping unsigned bands, artists and songwriters get record deals, publishing deals and placement in films and TV shows.
Professional Associations
American Association of Independent Music – A2IM is an organization of independent music labels that promotes business opportunity, provides advocacy and representation, as well as networking opportunities for the independent label community.
National Association of Music Merchants – Originally an organization for music retailers, it eventually inherited most of the members of the American Federation of Independent Music (formerly NAIRD).
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY® Awards, The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs.
Recording Industry Association of America
International Federation of the Phonographic Industry – IFPI represents the recording industry worldwide, with a membership comprising some 1400 record companies in 66 countries and affiliated industry associations in 45 countries. IFPI’s mission is to promote the value of recorded music, safeguard the rights of record producers and expand the commercial uses of recorded music in all markets where its members operate.
Washington Lawyers for the Arts (WLA) is a nonprofit service organization dedicated to supporting the arts in Washington state by creating alliances and making legal resources accessible to artists and arts organizations of all disciplines.
Recording
A major resource for Seattle area musicians to find recording studios, rehearsal space, mastering, and more.
A Pacific Northwest Recording/Mastering Studio Search Engine.
Sheet Music, Used Equipment Etc.
The leading Internet-based sheet music store offering more than 45,000 pieces of digital sheet music.
Performance Rights Organizations (PROS)
American Society of Composers Authors & Publishers – Protects the rights of its members by licensing and distributing royalties for the non-dramatic public performances of their copyrighted works
Broadcast Music, Inc. – Non-profit company, founded in 1940, collects license fees on behalf of those American creators it represents, as well as thousands of creators from around the world who chose BMI for representation in the United States
Currently celebrating its 75th year of operation, SESAC was founded in 1930, making it the second oldest performing rights organization in the United States.
The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada – SOCAN is an organization that administers in Canada the performing rights of virtually the world’s entire repertoire of copyright-protected music.
A dynamic and modern organization comprised of large, medium and small recording companies, united in the vision of receiving a fair price for the licensing of their music in a new digital world.
Publishing
Music Publishers Association – Currently representing over 800 American music publishers, NMPA has worked to interpret copyright law, educate the public about licensing, and safeguard the interests of its members.
HFA is the foremost mechanical licensing, collections, and distribution agency for U.S. music publishers. Our processes, culture, and technology are client-driven and results-oriented. We continually strive to add value and strength to the music rights industry.
Copyright
A long tradition of promoting progress of the arts and protection for the works of authors.
Other Links
Ari Herstand explains it all in an easy to understand format.
An overview of royalties, rentals and rights
Good info rom the Copyright Society of the USA website
Answers to legal music questions
International Touring
When crossing the United States/Canada border, paperwork completed ahead of time can help eliminate complications and excessive fees at the border control. For Visa questions and answers go to Visa Questions and Answers on the AFM website.
Helpful Links for Traveling and Touring Musicians
FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Print out these pages and take with you before traveling with your instrument as a carry on or as checked baggage
Artists From Abroad
The most complete and up-to-date online resource for foreign guest artists, their managers, and performing arts organizations
FAA PDF (6 pages) Updated Jan. 2015
AFM Applauds Passage of FAA Bill (updated Jan. 2015)
Lot’s of good links for traveling on this page:
