An Overview of the Detroit Federation of Musicians
Founded in 1881 as the Detroit Musicians’ Mutual Protective Union.
Mission: To unite the musicians of Detroit and vicinity, the establishment and maintenance of minimum prices for all engagements; the enforcement of the terms of all contracts made and properly filed by its members; the advancement and conservation of the individual and collective interests of its members; the enforcement of good faith and fair dealing by and between its members, and the promotion and stimulation of a true fraternal feeling among the membership as a whole.
- Affiliated with the American Federation of Musicians in 1903 and became known as the Detroit Federation of Musicians, Local #5
- Affiliated with the Michigan and Metro Detroit AFL-CIO
- 830 members
- 10th largest local union of the American Federation of Musicians and Canada, among those located in the US; 12th largest overall
Collective Bargaining Agreements with:
- Detroit Symphony Orchestra
- Detroit Opera
- Detroit Opera House
- Broadway in Detroit at the Fisher Theatre – Ambassador Theatre Group
- Olympia Entertainment at the Fox Theatre
- Detroit Jazz Festival
- Michigan Philharmonic
- Dearborn Symphony Orchestra
- Warren Symphony Orchestra
- Livonia Symphony Orchestra
- Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra
- Ponticello Chamber Orchestra
Administers national and local Electronic Media Agreements for projects that take place in the Metro Detroit area, including:
- Sound recordings
- Internet, Television and Radio Commercial Advertisements
- Internet, Television and Radio programs
- Theatrical and Industrial Motion Picture projects
Leadership: Elected President, a Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer. Together with five (5) elected members, these officers constitute the Executive Board. Also, one elected Delegate to the AFM Convention.
Three Annual Membership Meetings: January Orientation, March Annual Meeting and October Semi-Annual Meeting