INTRODUCTION
to the
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS

 

HELLO!

Thank you for your interest in The Providence Federation of Musicians, Local 198-457 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 198-457 represents many of the finest professional musicians in the Providence / Newport / Woonsocket area, and in most of the state of Rhode Island.  

Local 198-457 negotiates and manages Collective Bargaining Agreements with the Rhode Island Philharmonic, Providence Performing Arts Center, and Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra.

 

AFM members, who number over 70,000, 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.

The AFM has been promoting and protecting professional musicians for over 115 years. Local 198-457 has been serving  Rhode Island area musicians since 1902 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 198-457 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 198-457 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.