Who We Are

Local 11-637 was chartered in 1897, and is one of nearly 300 affiliated Locals of the American Federation of Musicians of the U.S. and Canada. Local 11-637 represents about 400 musicians (of the 100,000-plus members of the AFM) performing most styles of music.

Benefits of membership are numerous and include a rehearsal facility, engagement contracts, band and ensemble referral list (to connect members and groups with purchasers of musical services), free and discounted legal services, and legal defense for contract infringement of properly-filed Local 11-637 engagement contracts. Through the AFM, benefits include negotiated national recording contracts, a pension fund, assistance for traveling musicians encountering problems with purchasers on traveling engagements, various insurance programs (including instrument insurance), and programs available from the AFL-CIO which provide credit cards and loans.

The annual membership fee is $124.00 and is payable in twice-yearly increments. Initiation fees are $75.00 ($65.00 for the national organization and $10.00 for this Local). If you are currently a member of another Local of the AFM your initiation fee is only $10.00.  Beginning in 2005 we are also assessing a once-a-year premium copayment of $10.00 to help us cover the increasing cost of providing our $1,000 life insurance benefit.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our office is open from 10:00AM to 4:00PM Monday through Thursday.  Prospective members may apply in person, or if it is more convenient may apply by mail; please call or email us for an application form.  Fees may be paid by cash or check.  We are unable to accept credit cards.

Current Officers

Joe Spain, President/Secretary-Treasurer Joe is a Louisville native and has been a continuous member of Local 11-637 since 1971. He has an undergraduate degree in Music Education, and an MBA from the University of Louisville. As a musician, Joe plays tenor and bass trombone for commercial and legit engagements. He also has a consulting practice in Human Resources Management. Gary Falk, Vice President (saxophone/clarinet/flute/washboard)  Born in Chicago, Gary first studied clarinet with Bruno Micheletti.  He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University.  Since 1969 he has been active in the local music community with the Pendulum Orchestra and Indigo and owns Falk Audio, a full-service recording studio. Executive Board Members Stephen Causey (horn)  Steve was born in Memphis but has lived in Louisville since 1969, the same year he joined 11-637.  He attended U of L and has been a member of the Louisville Orchestra for 32 years. Trevor Johnson has been an oboist with the Louisville Orchestra since 1995 and has served on several negotiating committees for various organizations within our Local. He also was the conference coordinator for the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) convention when it was held in Louisville in 2000. Additionally, Trevor performs with the Louisville Bach Society and the Ceruti Chamber Players. Ray Weaver, a violinist, has been a member of Local 11-637 since 1982, and an AFM member since 1976.  He has also been member of the Highland Chamber Players since their founding in 1982 and has performed for Derby Dinner Playhouse, Music Theater Louisville, Stage One,  The Louisville Orchestra, The Louisville Bach Society, and the  Lexington Philharmonic, as well as for many Broadway Series shows at the Center for the Arts. Staff Jeanette Kays has joined our ranks as Office Manager, supervising the Local's various tasks and responsibilities and assisting members. Virginia McCreary Taylor has retired after ten years as Office Manager, but will continue to serve the Local as Webmaster and Bookkeeper.