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 2026 Conference will be held Dallas, Texas.
Annual Conference
Annual Conference
Annual Conference
2026 Annual Conference
Dallas, TX
Tuesday, July 28 – Thursday, July 30
Negotiations Workshop: Monday, July 27
Hosts: AFM Local 72-147, and the Musicians of the Dallas Opera Orchestra and the East Texas Symphony
Conference information will be located here when it becomes available. Check back soon!
(Remembering our time at the 2025 Conference in Philadelphia, PA)
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:
ROPA Audition Recommendations and Ideas from the ROPA EDI Workgroup
The following items are suggestions from the ROPA EDI Workgroup, which consists of musicians performing in ROPA orchestras around the United States, that orchestras can implement with goals to attract a larger applicant pool, ensure as far and unbiased of an audition process as possible, and hire the most qualified candidate (read more)
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.
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.
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