The Wisconsin State Musicians' Association (WSMA) is a confederation of the Wisconsin area local chapters of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AF of M), AFL-CIO. The AF of M was chartered as a national union in 1896 and immediately thereafter, on October 19, 1896, the Milwaukee musicians group became the first Wisconsin local. Thirty-one Wisconsin chapters and three fringe affiliates (Dubuque, St. Paul, and Winona) joined individually in the following years. The WSMA officially grouped together during a statewide musicians' conference held at Watertown, circa 1930.
The WSMA has no judicial, legislative, or executive power. All locals retain their autonomy and answer directly to the AF of M headquarters in New York. Rather, the WSMA is an “interest group” of professional, union affiliated musicians in the Wisconsin area. Delegates who attend the semi-annual Wisconsin state conference elect the officers. From 1933 to 1935, Joe Weisheipl was president, followed by Harry A. Thompson from 1935 to 1938, and then by Volmer Dahlstrand who served until 1946. Dahlstrand is credited with having strengthened the state association. However, after his term was finished, the constitution and bylaws were amended to limit the presidential term to two years.
