Click here for more information and to download the Local 47 Membership Form.

Local 47 Represents Professional Musicians
Professional Musicians, Local 47, established in 1894, represents more than 8,000 musician members throughout the greater Los Angeles area. We act together to protect our mutual interests, to promote and conserve our craft, to agree on fair prices and conditions, and to enforce fair dealings in our profession. In short, we combine our strength to do whatever we can do better collectively than we can do individually.

Collective Action Works
There are serious problems facing today's musicians, such as job security, economic exploitation, and a shortage of job opportunities. These are all prominent issues that must be addressed. Collectively, musicians have a stronger voice in the workplace. The only way that musicians will achieve equality and gain respect from others in the entertainment industry is through communication, cooperation and collective action.

International Representation
Local 47 is affiliated with the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), the largest entertainment labor organization in the world, with more than 85,000 members throughout the United Stated and Canada. Our local charter was issued on March 15, 1897, and it has been serving musicians continuously ever since.

Local Representation
Local 47 is a democratic, self-governing organization. Its regulations and policies are established at quarterly general meetings. Members elect 12 officers to the Executive Board every two years to implement our directions and decisions. In addition, members elect delegates to represent the membership's interests at AFM conventions, at which international policies are determined. Local 47 is affiliated with the State and County Labor Councils of the AFL-CIO, providing the powerful allies we need to deal with the major problems facing the music profession.

Members Enjoy Many Services and Benefits
As members, you enjoy a variety of programs and services designed to advance your career and to help you reach your goals within the music industry. Many of the following services are exclusive to Local 47.

Member Directory
Each member receives, upon request, a directory of Local 47 members that includes phone numbers and addresses as well as instruments played. The Member Directory is published annually.

Referral Service
Members can take advantage of the free services of an online referral service that helps members find jobs and network with other musicians. Referrals47.org boasts an impressive database of professional musicians in Southern California ranging from solo piano, big band, swing, rock, pop, jazz, salsa, mariachi, classical and more. The office does not charge a fee for referrals. Registration with this valuable service is free to members.

Studio 47
Local 47 is fortunate to be the first — and to date, the only — AFM local to have its own 32-track digital recording studio. This state-of-the-art facility provides access to superior quality, low-cost digital audio recording appropriate to the recording needs of the professional musician. From a solo artist to a 100-piece orchestra, Studio 47 is one-stop shop for everything from tracking to CD mastering/duplication.

Musicians' Interguild Credit Union
Membership in Local 47 qualifies you to join the Musicians' Interguild Credit Union, located on the second floor of our union building. The Musicians' Interguild Credit Union provides the consumer financial services you would associate with a bank all at very competitive rates.

Health Insurance
With enough work to qualify, employer-paid medical coverage is available through our live performance and electronic media contracts. Coverage for medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture and life insurance is included.

Pension
AFM members can participate in one of the best pension plans in the industry. It is employer-paid through our live performance and electronic media contracts. You may become vested after five years and can begin collecting your monthly benefits as early as age 55. It includes disability insurance provisions as well as life insurance for participating musicians. There is a greater than 50% return on this employer-paid investment.

Death Benefit Fund
Local 47 provides a Death Benefit Payment to beneficiaries of our deceased members.

Relief Fund
The Local 47 provides financial assistance for members’ relief for immediate situations, such as illness or injury that prevents the member from working or those needing temporary financial assistance to pay for necessities such as food and/or rent*. (*This is a one-time payment and not an annuity.)

Youth Membership
Musicians under the age of 21 can join without paying an initiation fee.

Video 47
Local 47 members have access to video recording in our in-house, broadcast-quality video facility. Video projects from music videos to audition DVDs, singles to symphonies are available, including engineering services, editing and mixing. DVD duplication is also available on a limited basis.

CD Sales
This service offers production and promotion services for your union-recorded album. If you have a CD you wish to promote or need a sales outlet, our CD Sales Department will help you with producing, marketing, promoting and distributing your recorded product.

Rehearsal Rooms
There are rehearsal rooms available here at the union that can accommodate anything from rock bands to big bands to symphony orchestras. Make your reservations for space in advance as this service is popular with our members. The fee is nominal starting at $15 per session.

Equipment Insurance
Insurance for your musical instruments and accessories with the most complete coverage and one of the most competitive rates in the industry is available exclusively to members of the AFM.

Publications
The Overture, the official newspaper of Local 47, keeps you current with the Local’s events and informs you of meetings and policy changes affecting members. The AFM, our national organization, publishes the International Musician. This publication deals with similar issues, but on a national and international scale. Both publications are a "must read" for professional musicians.

Legal Enforcement of AFM Contracts and Agreements
Performances given under Local 47 contracts and agreements are covered by a provision referring disputes or defaults in payment to binding arbitration, enforceable in a court of law.

Local 47 Members Include: