As a professional musician, your strength comes from standing with your fellow musicians. When individual musicians are on their own, they’re more vulnerable to unfair treatment and miss out on the benefits union members enjoy — meaningful contracts, pension, fair wages, collective advocacy, affordable web hosting, union grants, and so much more. Ask yourself:

  • Do I want fair pay for my talent and work?
  • Access to a secure pension, even for freelance work?
  • Safety, respect, and support on the job?
  • Professional help if something goes wrong?

If yes—you’re ready to join!

Membership is open to performers on any musical instrument, vocalists, private lesson teachers, conductors, touring bands, jazz musicians, DJs, rappers, Spoken Word performers, theatre musicians, arrangers, music librarians, copyists, marching band staff, youth orchestra coaches, dancers, support crew, and others who provide musical services and reside within the Local’s jurisdiction. American Federation of Musicians Local 427-721 proudly supports hundreds of musicians across Tampa, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, Sarasota, Ft. Myers, and Naples, Florida, U.S.A..

If you are currently an AFM member in another Local or were previously a member of this Local, you may still join provided you reside within the Local’s jurisdiction. Former members must have resigned in good standing.

Limited-Time Offer

Initiation fees are waived if you join by October 31, 2025.
Join now for only $32.50 and enjoy full membership benefits through December 31, 2025.

Fill out the application below and click “Submit.” After review, you’ll receive a PDF to sign and a payment link (PayPal, Zelle, Apple Pay, or check).

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Are you currently an AFM Member in another Local?

Or download the application below, complete it, and return via email to gulfcoastmusicians@gmail.com or by mail to the following address:

AFM Local 427-721
P.O. Box 12333
St. Petersburg, FL 33733

Once your application is reviewed, the office will send you a pdf of your application to sign, and a payment link (PayPal, Zelle, Apple Pay, or Check).

Download PDF Application

Regular Member

Annual Dues: $130
Semi-Annual Dues: $65
Initiation Fees: One-time Local Initiation Fee (LIF) of $10 and one-time Federation Initiation Fee (FIF) of $65 (if not currently a member of another AFM Local).
**Special Offer: Join now for only $32.50 and enjoy full membership benefits through December 31, 2025. Initiation fees are waived if you join by October 31, 2025.


Membership is open to performers on any musical instrument, vocalists, private lesson teachers, conductors, touring bands, jazz musicians, DJs, rappers, Spoken Word performers, theatre musicians, arrangers, music librarians, copyists, marching band staff, youth orchestra coaches, dancers, support crew, and others who provide musical services and reside within the Local’s jurisdiction.

If you are currently an AFM member in another Local or were previously a member of this Local, you may still join provided you reside within the Local’s jurisdiction. Former members must have resigned in good standing.

Trusted Contractor

Annual Dues: $130 + $30 premium
Semi-Annual Dues: $65 + $15 premium
Initiation Fees: One-time Local Initiation Fee (LIF) of $10 and one-time Federation Initiation Fee (FIF) of $65 (if not currently a member of another AFM Local).
**Special Offer: Join now through October 31st for $32.50 and enjoy full membership benefits through December 31, 2025.


Any Member, other than an Inactive Member, who files contracts for engagements within the Local, may request that the Executive Board grant them a Trusted Contractor Membership designation, which requires payment of a premium of $30 above the annual Regular Membership dues. A Trusted Contractor is not required to pay work dues on themselves as a Contractor and/or as a Side Musician on work they contract, provided that the Trusted Contractor:  

  • Files a contract with The Local for the engagement, 
  • Deducts work dues for Members on the engagement, and 
  • Forwards proper American Federation of Musicians’ Employer’s Pension Fund contributions on behalf of all Members on the engagement.

Trusted Contractor status, once approved by the Executive Board, may be renewed each year until the Trusted Contractor chooses not to renew. If the Trusted Contractor is found guilty of failing to satisfactorily fulfill the duties outlined here, the Executive Board may revoke the Trusted Contractor status.

Student Member

Annual Dues: $130
Semi-Annual Dues: $65
Initiation Fees: None
**Special Offer: Join now for $32.50 and enjoy full membership benefits through December 31st.


A person who is registered as a student in an accredited school, college, or university may apply to join The Local as a Student Member without paying either The Federation Initiation Fee (FIF) or the Local Initiation Fee (LIF). A Student Member may establish their residency within The Local’s jurisdiction using either their parent(s)/guardian(s) permanent address or the physical address of the school where the student is enrolled. A Student Member shall remain in that classification until they are no longer a student, at which time they will become a Regular Member at no additional cost (no FIF or LIF). A Student Member is entitled to all rights, privileges, and benefits of a Regular Member and will be required to pay Local dues. 

Youth Member

Annual Dues: $130
Semi-Annual Dues: $65
Initiation Fees: None
**Special Offer: Join now for $32.50 and enjoy full membership benefits through December 31st.


A person twenty (20) years of age or younger may apply to join The Local as a Youth Member without paying either a Federation Initiation Fee (FIF) or Local Initiation Fee (LIF). The Member may remain as a Youth Member until they reach the age of twenty-one (21), at which time they will become a Regular Member at no additional cost (no FIF or LIF). The membership application of a person younger than sixteen (16) must be attested to by the parent or guardian of the applicant and approved by the American Federation of Musicians. A Youth Member is entitled to all rights, privileges, and benefits of a Regular Member and will be required to pay Local dues. 

Life Member

Annual Dues: $78


A Life Membership is eligible to a current Regular Member who is at least sixty-five (65) years old, can prove a cumulative thirty-five (35) years of AFM membership, and has been a member of this Local for at least five (5) consecutive years – or a new member who was granted Life Membership Status in their previous Local. A Life Member is entitled to all rights, privileges, and benefits of a Regular Member. 

Inactive Life Member

Annual Dues: $72


A Life Member whose active professional career has ended shall be considered an Inactive Life Member by their application. There will be an accompanying (reduced) Dues Rate coinciding with The Federation’s Inactive Life Membership Per Capita Tax Rate assessment. These members shall retain all rights and privileges of a Regular Membership except that they will not be allowed to vote, hold office, or hold Trusted Contractor status.