ROPA Regional Orchestra Players' Association

08/28/2026

The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada will never endorse a trade agreement that threatens Canadian sovereignty. The AFM supports the Canadian government’s sensible decision to suspend trade negotiations with the United States.

Ensuring union members can safely and efficiently work across North America remains our top priority. We continue to pursue all available policy options that will benefit Canadian and American musicians alike.

08/25/2026

🌺ALOHA🌺 from the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians 2026 Conference in Hawaii!

Members of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra (2nd photo) gather at the 2026 ICSOM Conference in Waikiki, Hawai’i. AFM Local 677 President Jim Moffitt led a great presentation on what has happened to the Orchestra over the past three decades. It’s quite a story, marked by remarkable solidarity and the musician’s personal commitment to each other.

We also want to wish a big congratulations to Laura Ross, who is stepping down after over two decades of service as ICSOM Secretary. Before that, she was a ROPA Delegate and ROPA Secretary for 6 years. She is shown here with long-time friend Sheryl Shohet, violinist with the Honolulu Symphony and member of the Executive Board of AFM Local 677. Well done and thank you Laura! 👏

08/21/2026

08/19/2026

To our brothers and sisters in BC, Canada 🙏🇨🇦

08/19/2026

Congratulations Musicians of the Chicago Sinfonietta!!! 👏

08/19/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Grand Rapids MI) — Following an organizing campaign, the musicians of the Traverse City Philharmonic (TC Phil) voted overwhelmingly to join the AFM - American Federation of Musicians. Management granted recognition to the union, and the TC Phil musicians will become members of AFM Local 56.

The organizing effort began when TC Phil violinist Kaylee Erlewein contacted AFM Local 56 in April 2026 regarding concerns about the orchestra’s operations. Over the next four months, a musician-led organizing committee — supported by the AFM’s Organizing Department and Local 56 — conducted one-on-one conversations with their TC Phil colleagues to discuss these concerns and the possibility of union representation. The campaign included all of the TC Phil musicians based upon National Labor Relations Board criteria. By joining AFM Local 56, the TC Phil musicians gain collective representation to address the orchestra’s artistic and operational future.

“I am so excited for the Traverse City Philharmonic to move forward as a part of AFM Local 56,” said Kaylee Erlewein. “The TC Phil has been my ‘home’ since age eleven, and it is one of the main reasons I became a professional violinist and teacher. However, in recent years, decisions by the TC Phil management, discussions with my colleagues, and years of service on the Players’ Committee led me to believe that the musicians needed a stronger voice. The necessary next step was to join with the American Federation of Musicians. We look forward to working with AFM Local 56 to make the orchestra stronger than ever, for many years to come.”

“We could not be more pleased to have the Traverse City Philharmonic musicians join our ranks,” stated AFM Local 56 President Bennie Keys. “We look forward to working with them on achieving their first collective bargaining agreement with the AFM which reflects the growth of their community.”

“The Musicians of the Traverse City Philharmonic are to be congratulated for their grassroots campaign,” added Paul Austin, AFM Local 56 Secretary/Treasurer. “By canvassing their TC Phil colleagues, the team realized that it was time to make a move to the AFM, and we are delighted to have them as members of AFM Local 56.”

The TC Phil musicians express their gratitude to the AFM for their assistance and guidance through this process.

08/19/2026

We’re here in Winnipeg to celebrate OCSM’s 50 years of advocacy for Canada’s musicians! 🇨🇦

The Fort Garry Hotel was part of a network of grand railway hotels designed to encourage travel and tourism across Canada. It has hosted major visitors and events, including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s 1939 royal visit to Canada. The Hotel was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1981.

08/05/2026

✨Last week at the ROPA Regional Orchestra Players' Association convention, new AFM - American Federation of Musicians International Executive Board Member and Orange County Musicians Union, Local 7, AFM President Edmund Velasco shared a memory of a Chicago Sinfonietta Performance that was incredibly special for him and his entire family:

“My son, Julian Velasco (pictured center in the red jacket), performed a concerto with the Chicago Sinfonietta a few years back. We had 14 members of our family fly in from Los Angeles just to see the concert. We had another four drive-in from Wisconsin.

The concert was amazing. The ensemble is first rate.“

❤️ Special thanks to the entire Velasco family for making the trip! We can’t wait to be back on stage together again, making more incredible memories with our families and our communities!

08/03/2026

We hope everyone had safe travels home and a relaxing weekend after our busy 2026 ROPA Conference this last week!

Here’s a few shots of our last conference day 😭