Welcome, and thank you for your interest in Local 125 of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. The AFM is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians. Local 125 represents many of the finest professional musicians in Virginia.
AFM members, who number over 80,000, perform all styles of music—alternative rock, classical, pop, gospel, jazz, country, folk, rock, big band, reggae, contemporary Christian, etc.. With such active members as Bruce Springsteen, Roberta Flack, Santana, Yo-Yo Ma, Sheila E, Suzanne Vega, The Goo Goo Dolls, Willie Nelson, and Branford Marsalis, there is a strong representation of major recording individuals and groups.
There are many reasons for musicians to organize. In 2015 Stephan Pastis offered one of the best I have ever seen in his “PEARL’S BEFORE SWINE” Sunday comic strip.
The AFM has been promoting and protecting professional musicians for over 110 years. Local 125 has been serving the Norfolk area musicians since 1900 and continues to be an effective advocate for musicians’ rights in the workplace (be that a nightclub, a symphony stage, in a recording studio, or on tour). The AFM and Local 125 protect the recorded works musicians produce from being exploited, and protect our members live performances by providing several types of benefit programs that help them to build successful careers.
Members of Local 125 of the AFM are secure in knowing that their organization is actively lobbying to promote legislation and public awareness that protects musicians’ interests, negotiating collective bargaining agreements with the recording industry, motion picture industry, jingle industry, TV networks, National Public TV and Radio, and providing excellent wages and working conditions for its members.