Stronger Together

As a professional musician, your real strength comes from working collectively with other musicians. If you're considering becoming a member of the musicians union, ask yourself:

• Do I want to be paid fairly for my talent and skill?
• Do I want access to quality health care and pension?
• Do I want to be safe at my workplace?
• Do I want access to expert assistance if something goes wrong?

If you answered yes, you’re ready to join the union!

Serving thousands of professional musicians throughout Los Angeles, the American Federation of Musicians Local 47 promotes and protects the concerns of professional musicians in all areas of the music industry. Isolated musicians are more easily exploited and less likely to receive the benefits AFM Local 47 members enjoy — contracts that are more than just pieces of paper, health care and pension, scale wages worthy of professionals, and more.

To Join:

Step 1: Create/log in to your User Account.
- (For instructions on how to create a new account, or access an existing account, click here.)

Step 2: In your User Profile, please fill out each tab -- contact information, instrument(s), signature uploads -- until you reach the "Apply Here" tab (please ignore this final tab).

Step 3. When the above is complete, please send an email including your name, account number, and your request to join, to: membership@afm47.org. Once your application is reviewed, our Membership Department will send you a payment link.

View our Membership Dues fees and billing structure here.

Please note that you are also responsible for any outstanding balance that may already be on your account in order to join or rejoin.

Youth Membership

Musicians age 20 and under may join as Youth Members with all initiation fees waived.

New Member Orientation

All new members are required by our bylaws to attend a New Member Orientation meeting. Please register for your orientation here.

If you are unable to attend orientation, you may request to complete a DIY Orientation by emailing orientation@afm47.org.

What are Union Dues?

Click here to learn about union Membership Dues and Work Dues.

Need to Update Your Membership Status?

If you are a former member wishing to become a member in good standing, please click here for more information. If you wish to resign, please click here.

What Type of Work is Covered by the Union?

Our local, national and International Agreements cover:
• Low-budget/student films
• Studio recordings
• Video games
• Live concerts
• Motion pictures
• Television
• New media
• Demos
• Commercials

Exclusive Member Benefits

There are a lot of great things that come with being an AFM member: resources to organize non-union work, the opportunity to be involved, involvement in the decision-making process at the union, access to expert help from union staff.

AFM Local 47 members also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

AFM Insurance Benefits including instrument insurance, business liability, life, renters, disability income & more

Established Scales, Wage Protection and contract enforcement when an employer fails to pay or defaults on an agreement

Health Insurance at affordable group rates for all areas of coverage: medical, dental, vision, chiropractic

Pension through the AFM & Employers’ Pension Fund

Low-Cost Rehearsal Rooms starting at $15 per session

Free Classes & Seminars offered exclusively to members

Travel Resources for musicians

SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union, our affiliate partner, offers financial services for AFM members at competitive rates

Union Member Discounts from the AFL-CIO Union Privilege program offer special loan, mortgage, credit and legal services, and discounts on everyday purchases

Local 47 Member Directory, a convenient resource containing contact information for members listed by name and instrument

Overture Online App, our monthly digital publication spotlighting members and sharing union news