Musicians Society of San Antonio

Norma Martinez has been a member of Local 23 since moving to San Antonio in late 2016. Prior to her move to the Alamo City, Martinez was a member of Local 466 in El Paso. She played with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra for over 20 years. Martinez was driven to join Local 466 after a strike by the EPSO in 2001 to restore more classical concerts to the performance calendar and improve musicians' pay.  Martinez holds a degree in Music Performance from the University of Texas at El Paso. Her musical background served her well in her radio career.  Martinez started working at El Paso NPR affiliate KTEP-FM in 1989. As a student at UTEP, she hosted a classical music program on Saturdays. This gradually progressed to hosting Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and El Paso Symphony Orchestra broadcasts on KTEP. She became a full-time Morning Edition host and program producer in 1995.  Martinez made the move to San Antonio in Dec. 2016 and was in the right...

Cool! Check out the letter to San Antonio bassist and country music stalwart Ray Sczepanick from Ken Burns's company, Florentine Productions, thanking Ray for allowing use of photos and memorabilia for their recently released documentary series for PBS, Country Music. Ray is an executive board member of the Musicians' Society of San Antonio, AFM 23.  Nice going, Ray!  Below, in 2013, Sczepanick holds the title to the Texas Hands bus. Ray started with the Top Hands in the late 1960s. And is still the manager. The Top Hands hold the distinction of being the longest active band in Country music. The bus belongs in the Country music hall of fame. Meanwhile it has been on display at the Texas Pride Barbecue restaurant in Adkins, TX. 

Musicians' Society of San Antonio is designing a t-shirt just for you (members and friends)! Please take two minutes out of your busy day to answer a few really quick questions about the design. What size are you? What color do you like? What about text? Click HERE to take the survey . Thanks for your quick response. Deadline: September 15 . Below is a screenshot of the raw shirt, with specs and color options. It's a featherweight 100% cotton unisex style.

Ever wondered what minimum fair wages for musicians were a half century ago? Well, here you go. Thanks to multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Mike Davis, here are the scale sheets from your local, AFM 23, in 1970. $15 per "man" for a three-hour dance in Bexar County. Ten cents per mile for parties outside the city limits.  Rodeos, circuses, river shows, radio, TV, jingles, the whole nine...

Jim Newell For ten years I made a career in music, but my young family and a desire to use my business degree led me to pursue a daytime business career.    I`m retired from my business life now and playing music again full-time.    I rejoined Local 23, AFM, after an absence of many years.    My success in business taught me the importance of doing things the right way and supporting the industry you work in.    Being a union member in good standing has many benefits.    Besides the actual benefits package, being a member keeps you ready to take advantage of opportunities in TV and radio.    Just as an up to date passport keeps you ready to travel, being a union member in good standing keeps you ready to get a visa for playing overseas.  Everyone knows symphony members are the core of any local union, but the growth and perhaps future of the uni...

At a loss for what to charge for your corporate gig or private party? We can help! Below is the Musicians' Society of San Antonio's fair wage scale. If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to call our office at 210-227-3582 or drop by during business hours. We're located in the historic Alamo Music Center building at 427 N Main Ave in downtown SA TX 78205. You can also reach us by email at  info@musiciansofSA.com .  1.         GENERAL INFORMATION All scales are MINIMUMS. Members are encouraged to quote any price above minimum that may be commensurate with the ability of the member and/or market value of the musical services provided. Minimum scales include all applicable travel allowances, cartage fees, doubling fees, and leader’s and contactor’s fees as well as the basic pay scales. Any price scale not provided for may be determined by the Local 23 Executive Board or by the President. Scales so determined ma...

Join the professionals. It’s never been easier, and the benefits keep getting better! If you’re a working musician, you deserve good wages, decent working conditions,  retirement benefits, and a few extra perks to reward you for all the time you’ve dedicated to your profession, music. The Musician’s Society of San Antonio, Local 23 of the American Federation of Musicians has your back, and now is the time to join up and take advantages of all we have to offer you. Right now, you can join the Musician’s Society of San Antonio, Local 23 AFM  without paying any initiation fees.  That’s a savings of $85.  What do you get with membership? Members get paid at professional rates and their gigs are protected by our legal representatives at no cost. You have access to all-risk equipment insurance for professional musicians, to protect your instruments and gear against theft and damage. Pension benefits through the AFM are available to our members as well...