MPF programs may be performed by a single musician up to a full symphony orchestra. All musical styles qualify, including classical, country, rock, renaissance, show tunes, Dixieland, disco, blues, jazz, Latin, Klezmer, or ethnic music. All MPF performances are always free and open to the public.
Over 25,000 individual performances are enjoyed each year by more than 20 million people, presented in venues as diverse as parks, shopping malls, churches, hospitals, nursing homes, and in schools.
Counteracting Cuts in Arts Funding in Schools
We know that music education enhances a child’s ability to read and learn. Responding to this situation, the MPF has made music education a major focus of its activities. In recent years 44% of all MPF audiences have been 18 or younger.
How is MPF Funded?
For every phonograph record and recorded tape produced in the U.S. and Canada, a small percentage of the sale is contributed to the Fund by the recording industries.
MPF invites co-sponsorship by other organizations. Since MPF is a tax-exempt public service organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, all co-sponsorship funding is tax deductible.
Together with other like-minded organizations, The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), we are striving in the public interest to develop audiences, enrich the professional talent pool and ensure the health of the music business.
What is the Criteria for an MPF Concert?
The performance must be open and free to the public.
The music must be the primary purpose for audience attendance
Performers must acknowledge the MPF as well as cosponsor support in all programs and publicity credits.
Co-sponsorship fees are required.
Wages are based on current Local 655 wage scales.
All requests must be made at least 45-60 days in advance.
The Fund acts as the employer and takes care of Worker’s Compensation Liability, taxes, and Pension Fund contributions.
These programs may not be audio recorded or filmed.
A Brief History of the Music Performance Fund
Music Performance Fund (MPF) was created in 1948 as a part of an agreement negotiated with the recording industry as an answer to the reduced amount of live music performance caused by the introduction of the phonograph. In its first year, MPF received $270,000 from phono profits to fund live performance. Some of the artists who have performed on MPF concerts include Gene Krupa, Cab Calloway, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra, jr. Cosponsors have included AT&T, the Archdiocese of Chicago, Harvard, General Electric, and the Salvation Army. In 2023, MPF sponsored 4,000 performances throughout the United States, totaling $3.7 million in wages to musicians.
