What We Do

80,000 musicians comprise the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM). We perform in orchestras, backup bands, festivals, clubs and theaters—both on Broadway and on tour. AFM members also make music for films, TV, commercials and sound recordings. As the largest union of musicians in the world, we have the power to make the music industry work for musicians.

AFM Local 174-496 represents Southeast Louisiana (New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette). Our purpose is to unite the professional musicians within our jurisdiction without discrimination; to organize and to provide services to our organized professional musicians and to secure improved wages, hours, working conditions and other economic advantages for the professional musician in membership through collective bargaining and to establish terms and conditions for equitable and fair dealings among its members.

AFM Local 174-496 processes hundreds of contracts and checks a year pertaining to recording, television, film, commercials and live performances. New use and re-use payments for our musicians would not be possible without the strength of the AFM and our negotiated agreements with employers. Our contracts and recording agreements provide pension payments, the source of retirement income for countless musicians (AFM-EPF).