Supporting the welfare and interests of regional orchestra musicians throughout North America.
40 Years and Beyond: Working Together for a Better Future
The Leading Tone is the official newsletter of the Regional Orchestra Players' Association.
Delegates from ROPA orchestras meet annually to learn and network. The 2025 Conference will be held in Philadelphia, PA.
Annual Conference
Annual Conference
Annual Conference
2025 Annual Conference
Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday, July 29—Thursday, July 31
Negotiating Orchestras Workshop: Monday, July 28
Hosts: AFM Local 77
(Remembering our time at the 2024 Conference in San Francisco, CA)
ROPA Updates
The ROPA Leading Tone Newsletter
The Leading Tone is the official newsletter of the Regional Orchestra Players Association, a conference of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, and is published quarterly.The current issue of the Leading Tone newsletter can be found at the following link:
AFM Secures Tentative Agreement with AMPTP,
Delivering Historic Wins for Musicians
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on the Basic Theatrical Motion Picture and Basic Television Motion Picture contracts. The agreement, unanimously recommended by the bargaining committee, represents a significant victory for musicians working in film and television.
“This agreement represents a major win for musicians who have long been under-compensated for their work in the digital age,” declared AFM International President and Chief Negotiator Tino Gagliardi. “We have secured historic breakthroughs in streaming residuals, established critical guardrails against the misuse of AI, gained meaningful wage increases and other important gains. This agreement represents a watershed moment for the artists who create the soundtracks for countless film and TV productions.”
Full details of the contract will remain confidential until the agreement is approved for a ratification vote by the members who work under this contract.
“I want to congratulate our AFM Fair Share for Musicians bargaining unit members for their unwavering commitment to fighting for a contract that fairly compensates them for their invaluable contributions to film and TV and protects them in the ever-changing film and television industry,” Gagliardi concluded. “We were not alone in this negotiation, and we were proud to have the full backing of fellow unions: SAG-AFTRA, Writers Guild of America, IATSE, and the Teamsters. It was yet another powerful reminder that when we have solidarity in the labor movement, we can achieve great things. We also would like to thank Carol Lombardini, president of the AMPTP, as well as the AMPTP and its member companies, for helping bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion.”
The tentative agreement will now be submitted for ratification by the members working under the Basic Theatrical Motion Picture and Basic Television Motion Picture contracts, pending AFM International Executive Board approval.
In unity, there truly is strength.
About ROPA
The Regional Orchestra Players’ Association (ROPA): Who we are, our history and our guiding principles. Read more…
Unity is Power: Join ROPA
There are many excellent reasons for being a part of ROPA. Click HERE to find the information you need to join ROPA.
A Message from the ROPA EDI Committee
If you’re interested in learning more and positively advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in your orchestra, please join the ROPA EDI Workgroup! It’s open to any musician in any ROPA orchestra, and we meet every other month or so over Zoom to discuss how to improve and incorporate audition practices, the tenure review process, contract language and fellowships, unconscious bias training, advancing EDI, surveying conductors, and more. The ultimate goal is to provide resources and promote awareness, education, and activism to achieve measurable change and representation in ROPA orchestras. For more information or to join the Workgroup, please email chair Alana Wiesing at alana.drums@gmail.com.
Multiple-Card AFM Member Rebate
AFM members who belonged to three or more Locals throughout the entire previous calendar year can petition the AFM International Secretary/Treasurer for a “rebate equal to the per capita dues received by the Federation” for that member’s membership in each Local in excess of two.
According to Article 8, Section 7(a)(ii) of the AFM Bylaws, the rebate is only available to members who held simultaneous memberships in three or more Locals for the full calendar year. Members will not be given rebates for dual memberships.
Go HERE for the application for the rebate.
FMCS Educational Video Series
The Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service just released an introductory video series on their YouTube channel that explores various facets of their history, mission, objectives, and services. Please go to their channel and take a look at this valuable resource.
ROPA Quick Facts
Member Orchestras
ROPA’s Guiding Principles
Officers, Members-at-Large, Adjuncts
Pay ROPA Dues Online