CFM - Chicago Federation of Musicians

08/31/2026

📣 Check out this fantastic, FREE virtual workshop from our friends at Lawyers for the Creative Arts tomorrow at noon!

Who are Chicago’s arts workers? In what conditions do arts workers create and live? Dive into the community-driven and artist-centered data from the Chicago Arts Census with us on Sept 1 at 12pm on Zoom!

Register for free:
https://zurl.co/TOObi

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.

08/26/2026

📣CALLING ALL SUMMER FESTIVAL PLAYERS! Want to show off your summer festival concert pics in the Fall issue of the Intermezzo? Drop us a DM with your favorite photos and a little bit about the festival where you played!

📸This photo of the clarinet section of the CSO at the Ravinia Festival alongside Marin Alsop courtesy of !

08/25/2026

💔 CFM mourns the loss of longtime Nashville Musicians member, Dolly Parton. A worker and Union member alongside us in solidarity, Dolly gave all of us who have ever felt as though we were “barely getting by” the anthems to get us through the toughest times.

Rest in Power, Dolly. We will always love you.

08/25/2026

👋🏼 Hello from Door County, where the Musicians of the Chicago Sinfonietta were well-represented for a performance of Mahler’s Symphony #3 at the Peninsula Music Festival!

✨ Left to right: David Belden, Leslie Grimm, Ricardo Casteñeda, Charlie Schuchat, Janice MacDonald, and Paul Zafer.

📸 courtesy of Charlie Schuchat

08/21/2026

📌IMPORTANT REMINDER: The last day to apply for the Fair Employment Practice Committee (FEPC)'s Mentorship Program is TOMORROW, August 22nd! The FEPC Mentorship Program pairs members new to the CFM with veteran members, to understand how to make the most of their Union membership.

08/20/2026

Opportunity for Classical Music Audition:
Lyric Opera of Chicago /

Lyric Opera Auditions
Assistant Principal Bassoon/Contrabassoon

Auditions to be held October 27–31, 2026
Successful candidate to start in September 2027

Currently, the Bassoon Section consists of two musicians, Principal and Assistant Principal/Contrabassoon. As such, the Assistant Principal Bassoon/Contrabassoon currently performs primarily as Second Bassoon, is responsible for Principal Bassoon when the Principal is not in attendance (typically, at least one opera per season), Contrabassoon whenever required, and any other needed parts in the section.

Preliminary Round:
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Thursday, October 29, 2026

Semi-Final and Final Rounds:
Friday, October 30, 2026
Saturday, October 31, 2026

Please review application details on the Lyric Opera of Chicago website:
https://www.lyricopera.org/about/employment-auditions/lyric-opera-auditions/

Questions? Use the Lyric Opera of Chicago's Contact page:
https://www.lyricopera.org/about/contact/

08/18/2026

The centerpiece orchestra announced its season months later than usual, at venues away from its longtime home.

08/17/2026

🎉Who's ready to see some UNION MUSICIANS play at the Chicago Labor Day Parade sponsored by the Chicago Federation of Labor?? We can't wait to see O.T.R. at Eddie Fest!

08/14/2026

The local orchestra, known for championing diverse musicians and composers, announced an abrupt pause last spring, citing financial challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.