2019

Read our President's November 2019 
International Musician Article

2018

Read about
23rd International TMA Conference in Los Angeles
August 20th and 21st!

Read the latest Pit Bulletin Blast!

Members:
Read President D'Amico's latest IM article:
Why should we advocate for larger pit orchestras?

2013

Congratulations to Our Newest:

 DFW Chapter

 The TMA Executive Board has the sincere pleasure to announce that the charter of the DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth Area) Chapter was granted on Tuesday, November 12, 2013.

 Brian Brown has been elected its first President and Chapter Director for the TMA Executive Board.  Congratulations and welcome to him and to all of the DFW members.

Special thanks to Debbie Brooks, the new DFW Vice President, for her advocacy of TMA and assistance in forming this Chapter.

Delegation shows AMAZING SOLIDARITY for Minneapolis/St. Paul Local 30-73.

Combined with a private donation on behalf of TMA and one by the TMA Executive Board, a $750 total contribution has been made to Local 30-73, The Minneapolis/St. Paul Local.

Anyone wishing to make a private donation to the Local can do so at:

Twin Cities Musicians Union
708 North First Street
Suite 243,
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1145.

See full story online at: http://www.afm.org/news/afm-delegation-supports-minnesota-orchestra

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The AFM applauds the passage of the FAA Bill that sets a
consistent national policy allowing musical instruments on airplanes

After five years and 23 short-term extensions, Congress has passed legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the next four years. Included in the bill are provisions that create a uniform national policy regarding musical instruments on airplanes. Any instrument that can be safely stored in the overhead compartment or underneath the seat may be brought on board as carry-on luggage. Additionally, the bill sets standard weight and size requirements for checked instruments, and permits musicians to purchase a seat for oversized instruments, such as cellos, that are too delicate to be checked. Existing law allowed each airline to set their own policy regarding musical instruments, and size requirements varied widely for both carry-on and checked baggage. The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has been lobbying Congress to enact such a policy for nearly a decade.

"This is great news for professional musicians throughout the U.S. and Canada who carry the tools of our trade (our instruments) aboard commercial aircraft," said AFM President Ray Hair. "Ending the confusion over musical instruments as carry-on baggage has been a top legislative priority for nearly a decade. I am proud of our Government Relations Director, Hal Ponder and his assistant Laura Brigandi in our Washington legislative office for seeing the effort through. Musicians can now fly in friendlier skies."

The FAA reauthorization was passed by the House of Representatives on Friday, February 3 by a 248-169 vote. It subsequently passed the Senate on Monday, February 6, 75-20.  The President is expected to sign the bill into law.