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Los Angeles Wildfire Relief Resources

The Officers and Board of AFM Local 47 are devastated by the effects of this terrible tragedy on the people of Los Angeles and on our musical community. We will continue to provide information on resources for assistance as we face the long-term effects of this catastrophe. 

As our community continues to come together in aid of one another, we are wanting to hear directly from you, our members, about what you need most right now, and how we can help. We invite all members to please take our Wildfire Response Survey by clicking the button below:

Meetings & Events

  • Eaton Fire Lawsuit Webinar: Friday, February 14, 12-1 p.m. – presented in collaboration with the Motion Picture Television Fund. Learn what you need to know about the case against Southern California Edison and the January wildfires in this informational webinar. We will cover your legal rights and what to know before you hire a lawyer, with legal experts discussing the factors involved and taking your questions. Speakers will include Amanda Riddle, Esq. and Mike Kelly, Esq., moderated by Sharon Siefert, MPTF Vice President, Legal Affairs.
  • Fire Assistance Resources Distribution in Pasadena: Friday, February 21, 9:30am – 5pm. Location: Location: SEIU Local 121RN, 1040 Lincoln Ave, Pasadena. Distributing air purifiers, feminine care products, diapers, box of food (feeds family of five for one week). Parking provided.
  • A Day of Recovery & Resilience: Saturday, February 22, 10am – 4pm – (RSVP required) Location: The SoLa Beehive, 1000 E. 60th St., Los Angeles 90008. The SoLa Foundation, It’s Bigger Than Us and partners are coming together to create a unique day of wellness, self care, resources and fun for more than 750 families impacted by the L.A. Fire. Together, we will heal the body and the mind, build community and resilience – all at no cost to impacted families with transportation provided. (To volunteer, click here)
  • Food Distribution in Pasadena: Saturday, February 25, 9am-12pm. Location: SEIU Local 121RN, 1040 Lincoln Ave, Pasadena. Box of food (feeds family of five for one week) distributed via parking lot drive-through.
  • [RECORDING] Webinar: Navigating FEMA for the Entertainment Industry – presented on January 29 and sponsored by a partnership of entertainment industry unions, guilds, associations and nonprofit service providers, hosted by the Entertainment Community Fund. Webinar Resources: entertainmentcommunity.org/femawebinarresources

Continue reading →

Brass quintet brings joy of music to Pasadena fire relief center

In a move to lift spirits and bring a bit of joy to those affected by the recent L.A. wildfires, the Music Performance Trust Fund, Red Cross of Los Angeles County, and Make Music Alliance, Inc. co-sponsored a live concert with AFM Local 47 musicians on the afternoon of February 12 at the Disaster Recovery Center in Pasadena. 

The brass quintet, led by Local 47 member Brad Close, was greeted with words of appreciation for their surprise three-hour concert.

“The performance was well received by clients and volunteers alike,” said Timothy Dahlum,  Pasadena Complex Site Manager. “Several people stopped me to ask who the group was and said thank you for bringing them in — two called it an unexpected treat.” Continue reading →

American Federation of Musicians Joins Entertainment Union Coalition

Monday, February 10, 2025 – The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) announces its membership in the Entertainment Union Coalition (EUC) of California. The EUC is comprised of major entertainment unions, including the California IATSE Council, Directors Guild of America, LiUNA! Local 724, SAG-AFTRA, and Teamsters Local 399. Continue reading →

February 2025 Overture Online: Helping Each Other

Inside This Issue:

  • Helping Each Other: How our musical community is coming together in the aftermath of the devastating L.A. fires
  • Black History Month 2025: African Americans, and Labor
  • Member Spotlight: Greg Phillinganes
  • AFM Local 47 Establishes New Organizing Department
  • Live Performance / Live Music Prep Wage Scale Updates for 2025
  • Support Blue Canvas Orchestra’s Fight for a Fair Contract
  • Bylaws Update: Two Resolutions Adopted at January General Membership Meeting
  • Next Member Mingle: Friday, February 21
  • NAMM 2025 Recap
  • Access Discounted Legal Services for Union Families With Union Plus
  • Don’t Get Penalized! File for Your L.A. Business Tax & Creative Artist Exemption by Feb. 28
  • Audition Notices: Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony
  • & more!

Browse our full Overture pdf archives here.

2025 Local 47 Live Performance/Music Prep Wage Scale updates

The AFM Local 47 Live Performance/Music Prep for Live Performance Wage Scales have been updated for 2025. 

A digital copy of the book is posted in the members-only section of our website at ensemble.afm47.org. (If you have not yet logged in to our new system, please review the instructions here.)

Print booklets are also available by request (1 per member). Please email live@afm47.org.

NAMM 2025

MPTF Trustee Dan Beck, AFM Local 7 Secretary/Treasurer Tammy Noreyko, AFM Local 47 Sound Recording Business Representative Jamie Vespa, AFM Local 47 Communications Director Linda Rapka, AFM International Musician Advertising Director Honore Stockley, AFM Director of Communications Antoinette Follet, AFM Director of Freelance Services Wages Argott, and AFM Local 7 President Edmund Velasco.

MPTF Trustee Dan Beck, AFM Local 7 Secretary/Treasurer Tammy Noreyko, AFM Local 47 Sound Recording Business Representative Jamie Vespa, AFM Local 47 Communications Director Linda Rapka, AFM International Musician Advertising Director Honore Stockley, AFM Director of Communications Antoinette Follet, AFM Director of Freelance Services Wages Argott, and AFM Local 7 President Edmund Velasco.

The American Federation of Musicians and Music Performance Trust Fund were thrilled to exhibit at this year’s National Association of Music Merchants show for the second year in a row. Continue reading →

Join AFM & MPTF at NAMM 2025!

The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada and the Music Performance Trust Fund are excited to once again be co-hosting a booth at this year’s National Association of Music Merchants Show, the industry’s largest stage uniting the global music, sound and entertainment technology communities. The event takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Find us at Booth 7806 during the event’s three exhibit days, January 23-25 (view map).

Snag your 2025 NAMM badge here.

January 2025 Overture Online: Happy New Year – Let’s Get Organized!

Inside This Issue:

  • General Membership Meeting & Musicians’ Club Annual Meeting: Monday, January 27 – Voting on 2 Resolutions to Amend the Bylaws
  • New Rehearsal Room Rates for 2025
  • Member Spotlight: Bruce Springsteen
  • Don’t Get Penalized! File for Your L.A. Business Tax Exemption by Feb. 28
  • What is Organizing?
  • Why Young People Support Unions So Strongly
  • Do Not Work For Alert: Giorgio Lalov, dba Teatro Lirico D’Europa
  • AFM, NBCUniversal Settle Civil Action; Submit Your Incomplete Track Information
  • Do We Have an Unclaimed Check Waiting for You?
  • Audition Notices: Long Beach Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
  • and more!

Browse our full Overture pdf archives here.