New!!! No Initiation Fees for members of musical groups whose non-union members are all joining at the same time Non-AFM members of a musical group may now join the union by simply paying the quarterly dues of $37.50. This means it only costs $37.50 per musician to join - a savings of $100 per person! The requirements are that two or more musicians join at the same time and that they can provide a sample professional photo, brochure or web address as proof of their status as band mates. Musicians who are under the age of 21 or are fulltime students are also eligible to join with No Initiation Fees. more information...

-AFM membership puts you on the same team with the top professionals in every area of the music business.

-Detroit Musicians Entertainment helps  you find work in your community. Local 5 uploads all Registered Acts to GoPro, the International Referral Service of the American Federation of Musicians, AFM.
The www.afm.org  forums  help you find work with traveling bands.
Membership assures you of job and wage protection if a local employer fails to pay you, cancels or cuts short your engagement or otherwise breaks a contract.

-Established DFM minimum  scales and working conditions enable members to remain competitive with each other without limiting how high their earnings can be. They are also designed to prevent employers from taking unfair advantage of musicians.

-Local 5 and AFM negotiated agreements provide you with broad protection in many fields including studio and other recording work, TV, films, concerts, stage shows, symphony, opera, and ballet work.
Members receive the Keynote every quarter plus the monthly  International Musician, a publication filled with important information including "help wanted" and audition notices.

- Local 5 facilitates the 1.2 Billion Dollar American Federation of Musicians Employers' Pension Fund.

-The Detroit Federation of Musicians ,Local 5 administers  the  Music Performance Fund, MPF - unique special funds negotiated by the AFM and supported by contributions from recording companies.  These funds enable bands to solicit  schools and municialities for live concerts at reduced rates to the purchasers. MPF means extra gigs for working union bands. MPF also administers scholorships for students planning on attending music schools.
 
-If you become disabled, you are eligible for financial help from the AFM's Lester Petrillo Fund.  The Detroit Musicians Fund, our non-profit corporation, administers the Ted Nelson Fund for musicians needing assistance and the David Kaplan Scholorship Fund at Wayne State University. Local 5 membership includes a $1250 Life Insurance Policy with AD & D.

If you would like more infomation about us click on: Membership  Services and wait for the .pdf file to load. To find out how to join and the costs, click on: About Joining. To download pdf files,  right click and "save target as."