To join, please download a membership application (PDF)
The AFM is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians. AFM members perform all styles of music: classical, pop, gospel, jazz, country, folk, rock, alternative rock, big-band, reggae, and contemporary Christian to name just a few. Join active members such as Diana Krall, Billy Joel, Lyle Lovett, Melissa Etheridge, Wynton Marsalis, The Tragically Hip, Bare Naked Ladies and Carlos Santana. These are just a few of our many high-profile members.
The AFM has been promoting and protecting professional musicians since 1896 and has had an office in Regina since 1912.
Membership Benefits
Professional Association for Combined Strength - RMA is part of the American Federation of Musicians, the largest union of performing artists in the world, with more than 150,000 members. There are more than 16,000 members in Canada. You will have the pride that comes with belonging to the largest union of performing artists in the world.
Contract Protection - Our contracts will protect you against loss of income because of cancellations or non-payment. If necessary, we will take the contract to court for you at our cost. Just be sure to get a contract filled out and signed, and filed with the office, before each gig.
Instrument Insurance - Can you afford to replace your gear? Can you afford a $50 deductible if your gear is lost, stolen or destroyed? As a member you can purchase all risk, all peril, worldwide coverage on all of your gear at a very modest cost. AFM insurance is not only offered at very competitive rates, with a low deductible, but will likely be more "hassle-free" than dealing through a company that does not specialize in musician needs and perils.
Liability Insurance - Liability insurance is becoming more and more of an issue at all times for our members. Where else can you get $1 million in liability coverage per member for only $25 a year? Make sure you're protected.
Health Insurance - $2,000 AD & D individual coverage free with membership; group rates for medical, dental and income replacement insurance.
Emergency Travel Assistance - If you have a valid contract filed, are canceled and need money to get home or to get your next gig, you can receive money from the Federation to help you out.
Referrals - We receive numerous requests for musicians to perform for various functions during the year. If we have information on you or your band we will pass along your name as often as possible. There is no charge for this service. We also provide approximately 700 copies of our referral list to other unions in the province. Are you on our list? If not, why not?
Performing in the U.S.A. - The AFM will work on your behalf to cut through the red tape associated with obtaining P-2 work permits (required in order to legally perform in the U.S.) 2001. If you attempt to cross the border without a valid work permit, you risk being detained or charged by the US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, or even barred from ever visiting the US again! We can get you there faster and with less cost. P2 rates are $190 U.S. (paid to BCIS) plus $20 Cdn (payable to AFM Canada).
Pension - We have one of the finest, if not the finest, pension plans available anywhere. If you are doing electronics work such as CBC, commercials, or TV and film work you are entitled to a pension payment in addition to what you get paid. If you are doing this type of work, make sure that pension is being paid on your behalf. Automatic pension contributions on most employment covered by a collective agreement and the option of including pension contributions on other contracted employment. After a career as a professional musician, you deserve a decent pension.
Lester Petrillo Memorial Fund - Funds are available for musicians who suffer injury and are unable to perform. Applications are available through the Local.
Payments for Recordings - If you have done a recording that is getting airplay, you are entitled to royalties. The AFM is the collective that will see that you get properly compensated, as we have signed the Rome Convention along with over 100 other countries. SOCAN will see that you get paid as composer of the music, and the AFM will see that you get paid (under Neighbouring Rights) if you are the performer.
GoProMusic - If you're a member in good standing, you're entitled to place an ad for your services - along with sound clips and bios - on this site at no charge. It's very easy for a purchaser or a musician to navigate.
GoProTunes - Coming soon!!!! The AFM is in the process of setting up this site so that members will be able to sell either hard product or digital downloads. The site is still under development and will likely be available as soon as all legal details are taken care of. More details to follow.
Special Payments Fund - Did you record a CD that you supplied all of the funding for? Are you certain that that recording is protected, and that you will be paid properly for its use? You can receive payment, regardless of how many copies of your CD you sell, if your recording is done under an AFM contract. Does this sound too good to be true? It isn't. We can tell you how this can be done.
Health & Welfare Fund - Emergency interest-free loans to members in need.
Free Legal Assistance - While we aren't lawyers, we certainly have access to excellent legal advice for members who need it. In some cases, we will know of other similar cases and how they have been handled in the past.
Music Performance Fund - Funded by the recording companies as part of their agreement with AFM, this program pays scale wages to musicians for free-to-the-public performances (e.g., festivals and school concerts). Scholarships for continuing education in music are made available when funding allows.
Lobbying/Representation - The AFM staff keeps an eye on how current legislation in Canada and United States will affect musicians. The AFM lobbies to make sure that musicians' needs and concerns are not ignored.
Member and Instrument Directories - Trying to get in contact with another musician? Need someone who plays a certain instrument? Or, are you stuck trying to find a last-minute replacement for a gig? We can help.
Subscription to International Musician - You receive a full subscription to the AFM's monthly official journal.
AFM Websites and Online Member Resources - In addition to the RMA website, you will get access to the member-only sections of both the AFM and AFM Canada websites.
BENEFITS TO AFM-LICENSED AGENTS
Immigration Services – AFM petitions for temporary work permits on behalf of Canadian and U.S. members wishing to work (perform) legally in the U.S. or Canada. Specifically, P-2 Work Permits for musicians going into the United States and IMM-1102 permits for musicians coming into Canada.
Contract Protection Services – Should an engager default on a contract for musical performance, leaving the musicians out-of-pocket, AFM will take legal action on behalf of the musicians. When touring, AFM also offers emergency travel assistance (funds), wherein AFM will wire money to the band to help them travel to their next gig, where and when a default has occurred leaving the musicians without enough money to travel to their next gig. Also, some AFM Locals have a contract defence fund in place, providing financial assistance to members which have suffered a contract breach, and who qualify for assistance under the Locals provisions.
Online Booking Referral Service – AFM has recently created a website on which musicians can post up to 6 pictures of themselves, their bio, a link to their website if they have one, dates/locations of upcoming performances and a sample of their music (not downloadable). The Go-Pro website simply provides another area on the internet where musicians can advertise themselves. After the initial set up, musicians have full access to their posting, enabling them to make changes to their listing when ever they wish. Additionally, when AFM receives inquiries from buyers of musical performances, the interested party is directed to this website. ALL genres of music are represented on Go-Pro.
Neighbouring Rights Distribution - In addition to royalties received for the composition of sound recording, musicians are now receiving royalties for the performance of a sound recording (distinct from SOCAN!) The AFM distributes Neighbouring Rights and Private Copying Royalties that are generated by radio play and album sales. Although this service is open to both members and non-members, membership with the AFM increases the tracking of your recordings through the usage of AFM contracts. Visit www.mnrr.ca for more information.
AFM Revenue Streams – AFM has various royalty programs in place. AFM guarantees the collection and payment of royalties on all sound recordings (CDs/albums) regardless of the number of copies sold. Similar to the sound recording royalty, there is an automatic royalty in place for all music recorded for use in a television film or motion picture score. AFM also negotiates the re-use and new use of these previously recorded materials, i.e. a sound recording to be used in a commercial production. The use of AFM contracts is required for these specific royalty programs, and this office will assist any interested parties in completing contracts for the purposes of taking advantage of these royalties. Please keep in mind that we are only a telephone call or e-mail away.
Preferred Insurance Rates – AFM has negotiated special premiums with Unity Insurance Group for its membership, for insuring instruments, music equipment, and for liability coverage. The premiums AFM has negotiated for insuring musical equipment are comparably low, provides coverage worldwide, and all possible risks are covered on instruments and musical equipment. As for liability insurance, this is charged at a rate of $25 (per band member) for every $1,000,000 of insurance coverage applied for. Liability insurance is becoming more and more in demand, especially from bar and club owners who regularly engage musicians for live performance.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
Musicians joining for the first time pay a one-time initiation fee of $95. Students in an accredited school, college or university and those under the age of 21 are exempt from initiation fees.
Current Annual Dues are $140.00. When applicable, Work Dues amount to a very small percentage of MINIMUM fee wage (as opposed to gross contracted price.)
Annual dues are tax deductible and flexible time payment arrangements are possible. We also accept Visa and MasterCard.