Musicians Unions In The Modern Day
Historically, the AFM was the place to be to get anything done with music performance; or so that's what I heard growing up. But I don't hear much about it now. This was even the case while I was working on my undergraduate degree in music performance surrounded by professional performers.
I understand it provided some benefits, and protection like all unions, but in this privatized day and age, is it still worthwhile to have an affiliation with a musician's union? Do they offer benefits you simply can not receive without affiliation?
Are people being refused service because of being in one? Not being in one?
I purely want to see what benefits (or lack thereof) they offer to performing musicians.
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My essential list of organisations to belong to as a musician in the UK includes the PRS and PPL in order to be paid royalties (like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC in the US) and the Musician's Union for the following:
Instrument insurance as Tim mentioned
£1million public liability insurance (quite important to a band with pyro...)
legal and contract advice
free hearing tests
free music industry seminars
free general guidance
And various other benefits including networking opportunities. I would assume the equivalent unions in other countries would offer similar.
In the USA, orchestra musicians belong to the American Federation of Musicians as a matter of course. The AFM is location-based and oriented towards professionals such as studio, show and classical musicians. Other musicians can join AFM Local 1000. Check out the website for the benefits.
Don't know about other countries, but in U.K. there's the Musicians' Union. As a member, I was entitled to £2,000 of instrument insurance, topped up if necessary, which was a nice thing to have. The M.U. habitually chased up promoters who still owed money for performances, and warned against bad promoters. On occasions, I could get a pro-forma for contracts for gigs. Some gigs needed all band players to be members, work for t.v., etc. A minimum fee was stipulated - but for 'ordinary' gigs, often undercut. Membership was free for those in full time education. An amount, £1000 I think, was available towards funeral costs for paid up members. Something to die for!
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