The COVID-19 pandemic has brought our industry to a complete halt, and even as we are socially isolated from one another, we are suffering together both economically and artistically.

But we are a diverse union. Our members include musicians who compose, prepare and perform music in an incredibly wide variety of fields, from theater and club work, symphonic, opera and ballet, film, television, sound recordings and other recording work — if it involves music, at least some of us are doing it as part of our livelihoods

For any of us who are in a position to put something recorded or prepared in our own studio on contract, now is the time to do so. Whether you are working “in the box” alone, or hiring players to send in tracks, filing a contract means health care contributions on behalf of yourself and any musicians you hire.

These health care contributions couldn’t come at a more critical moment. As employment has collapsed, musicians need contributions, but our health care fund needs them as well.

Any work done “on spec” can be done on a demo contract. Please email emd@afm47.org with details about your project, and we’ll connect you with a Local 47 business representative to walk you through how to file your particular project. We’re all in this together!