THE GREATER LANCASTER FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS
LOCAL 294, American Federation of Musicians
The Musicians Protective Association of Lancaster, Pennsylvania was issued its charter by the American Federation of Musicians on April 14, 1903 and was formally organized on May 26, 1903 at the Association's first scheduled meeting. The first President was Charles R. Sell. Early prominent members were Frank McGrann, nationally known band leader, contemporary of John Philip Sousa, and founder of the first Lancaster City Band; B. Frank Streaker, arranger for many of Sousa's performance selections; Clyde L. Hall, clarinetist and member of both Sousa's band and the US Marine Band; and bugler J. Edward Mack, a national leader in the Boy Scouts of America organization.
Officers of local notoriety in the ensuing years were Presidents John Peifer, longtime music director at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster; Samuel O. Zimmerman, conductor of the New Holland Band; and Gerald S.Wingenroth, music educator in the Lancaster County school system and the longest-serving president in the history of the Local; also Secretary-Treasurers Ira T. Bowman, who served in that capacity longer than any other officer in the 100-plus years of the Local; and Josephine Wingenroth, accordionist and freelance musician par excellence.
The mottos of Local 294 have been "We're The Professionals," "Celebrating Over One Hundred Years of Musical Excellence in Lancaster County," "Serving Music, Musicians, and Community"
The Professional Musicians of Lancaster County
We are the Lancaster County connection for music and musicians. Our members and officers, from various backgrounds and genres, have a purpose that is singular and common: to serve the professional musician and the musical needs of our community.
We Promote Live Music.
A primary mission of Local 294 is to improve and maintain a healthy working environment for all musicians who wish to work in music professionally. It does this by recommending and defining respectable working conditions and establishing the minimum level of pay that each of various catagories of musical work should be worth. These levels are established by the members democratically. There is strength in numbers. When there is agreement among members regarding the minimum condition and price of their work, this acts as a system of checks and balances against those who would seek to devalue your musical work and underpay you.
The members of Local 294 have been the single greatest influence on the promotion and establishment of quality music performance and appreciation by the consumer in Lancaster County. Local 294 officers, leaders, and members are mainly responsible for the flourshing of major performance groups such as the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra www.lancastersymphony.org, the New Holland Band www.newhollandband.org, and the Lancaster Concert Band, and for the climate of acceptance for the many single and small groups of musicians who find regular work in our Lancaster County jurisdiction.
In fact, the success of Local 294 in creating a healthy climate for musical performance and appreciation in our area is, ironically, the very reason more musicians than ever now say "We're OK now. We don't need the AFM anymore. We're doing OK on our own." This is a regrettable act of omission and selfishness on the part of such individuals. Remember, there is strength in numbers. In union there is strength! We believe, as Teddy Roosevelt said, "Every individual owes some of his time, talents, and resources to the upbuilding of the profession to which he belongs."
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians. Whether it is negotiating fair agreements, protecting ownership of recorded music, securing benefits such as health care and pension, or lobbying our legislators, the AFM is committed to raising industry standards and placing the professional musician in the foreground of the cultural landscape. Checkout the AFM Website at www.afm.org.
If you are part of a large musical workforce, like a symphony orchestra, concert band or house band employed by a single employer, The Greater Lancaster Federation of Musicians can be legally authorized to act on your behalf as your collective bargaining agent to negotiate with your employer for the best possible working conditions and pay.
If you are a freelancer, The Greater Lancaster Federation of Musicians is your best source for networking and becoming acquainted with professionals who can help you further your career. Our members are a community even beyond just music. Many are also highly qualified professionals in other fields, as well, and can assist you with needs like accounting and tax preparation, consulting, quality writing and website design, computer service and repair, instrument repair, piano tuning, dentistry, chiropractic, sound service, carpentry, security, meteorology, banking, automotive, insurance, real estate and more. When this community works together, everyone benefits.
We receive calls from the public looking for bands and other musical groups. Some of these potential gigs can be yours if you are on our roster of performing organizations.
Our three newsletters per year keep you abreast of important musical happenings. It's a good place to advertise your musical services from time to time.
If you teach, The Greater Lancaster Federation of Musicians maintains a webpage of member teachers. You would want to add your name and instrument(s) taught along with your pertinent information to that list.
Why Join the American Federation of Musicians?
Advantages Of Non-Membership
You do not have to pay dues.
Advantages Of Membership
Professional Pride.
Participation in the Pension Fund.
AFM and Local Websites with access to online forms, contracts and links to other musically-related sites.
AFM membership puts you on the same team with the top professionals in every area of the music business.
Local job referral programs help you find work in your community.
The AFM's computerized job referral service helps you find work with traveling bands.
252 Local Union offices.
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.
Traveling musicians are also protected through free legal service provided by the AFM.
Established AFM minimum wage 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 and internationally negotiated collective bargaining 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 Local Newsletters as well as the monthly International Musician, a publication filled with important information including "help wanted" and audition notices.
The AFM provides members with local jobs sponsored or co-sponsored by the Music Performance Fund (MPF), a unique special funds agreement negotiated by the AFM and supported by contributions from recording companies. Check out the MPF Website at www.musicpf.org.
If you become disabled, you are eligible for financial help from the Lester Petrillo Fund.
Advice and assistance is always available to members via a 24 hour, toll free WATS line.
The AFM has a special department which licenses booking agents and assists traveling members.
There is also a special department to assist members in the recording field (CD's, TV, video, film, and jingles).
Another special department concentrates on assisting members working in symphony, opera and ballet orchestras.
A complete list of AFM licensed booking agents is available to all members.
A complete list of recording companies with which the AFM has contracts is available to all members.
The AFM legislative program works to protect and improve your rights as a professional musician.
As a member you are entitled to a special rate on instrument, equipment, and liability insurance.
You also get special rates on life, hospitalization, accident and eye wear insurance.
Access to membership directories.
Access to "Union Privilege" programs.
Access to credit cards with preferred rates.
Access to list of all symphonic auditions.
