Welcome, and thank you for your interest in Local 45 of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. The AFM is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians. Local 45 represents the very finest professional musicians in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.


Get to know us! From the Allentown Band (the oldest civilian concert band in the U.S.) to the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, freelance musicians and more…..

Allentown Band w Frank Kaderabek (2)

AFM members, who number almost 100,000, perform all styles of music—alternative rock, classical, pop, gospel, jazz, country, folk, rock, big band, reggae, contemporary Christian, etc.. With such active members as Roberta Flack, Santana, Yo-Yo Ma, Sheila E, Suzanne Vega, The Goo Goo Dolls, Willie Nelson, and Brantford Marsalis, there is a strong representation of major recording individuals and groups.

photophoto copy

The AFM has been promoting and protecting professional musicians for over 110 years. Local 45 has been serving Lehigh Valley musicians since 1901 and continues to be an effective advocate for musicians’ rights in the workplace (be that a nightclub, a symphony stage, in a recording studio, or on tour). The AFM and Local 45 protect the recorded works musicians produce from being exploited, and protect our members live performances by providing several types of benefit programs that help them to build successful careers.

LVIA Band small

Members of Local 45 of the AFM are secure in knowing that their organization is actively lobbying to promote legislation and public awareness that protects musicians’ interests, negotiating collective bargaining agreements with the recording industry, motion picture industry, jingle industry, TV networks, National Public TV and Radio, and providing excellent wages and working conditions for its members.

George Fennell, Conducting