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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