Orchestral Work Whether you work as a full time or freelance orchestral musician, the MU is here to help. We have a dedicated team, as well as elected MU Orchestral Stewards and dedicated MU Orchestra Section Committees for employed and freelance orchestra members. Advice, agreements and rates Collective Agreements with Orchestras Our agreements cover the salaries, rates of pay, and terms and conditions for employed and freelance orchestral musicians. Read more about Collective Agreements with Orchestras Orchestras under ABO agreement Rates and terms and conditions agreed with the Association of British Orchestras. Read more about Orchestras under ABO agreement MU Promulgated Rates We set our own rates for musicians working at orchestral concerts, opera and ballet. Read more about MU Promulgated Rates Orchestral Touring Abroad Read more about Orchestral Touring Abroad Orchestras Travel Sample Policy A sample policy on how travel is treated in collective orchestral agreements and with the ABO. Read more about Orchestras Travel Sample Policy ABO Orchestral Working Outdoors Practical aspects and health and safety considerations when working outside, or at a large venue concert Read more about Orchestral Working Outdoors Orchestral Players Living with Covid-19 Health and safety and risk assessment guidance for orchestral players living with Covid-19 Read more about Orchestral Players Living with Covid-19 Fair and Inclusive Orchestral Auditions Read more about Fair and Inclusive Orchestral Auditions Equity & inclusion 10-Point Action Plan Inclusive Recruitment in UK Orchestras Get involved in the project driving equity, inclusion and meaningful systematic change across the UK’s professional orchestral and choral sectors Read more about Inclusive Recruitment in UK Orchestras Fair and Inclusive Orchestral Auditions How to begin the work of creating a transparent and fair recruitment process in a workplace Read more about Fair and Inclusive Orchestral Auditions MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music Standing together against bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination, and are working jointly to ensure the UK's orchestra sector has a bright future Read more about MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music Member representation MU Orchestra Stewards MU Orchestra Stewards and the Roving Stewards represent you to your employer Read more about MU Orchestra Stewards Join the Freelance Orchestral Committee Join the Committee to take a more hands-on approach to the way your pay and terms are negotiated Read more about Join the Freelance Orchestral Committee Join the Orchestra Section Sign up to orchestral news and receive ballots to be able to have your say in decisions that affect your way of working Read more about Join the Orchestra Section Arts funding Reverse the cuts, fund the arts Arts Council England has made major cuts in public funding to arts organisations. The UK's music sector needs more investment to keep it world leading and protect the working people at its heart. Play your part See all Campaigns Latest news and features MU General Secretary Meets Culture Secretary to Discuss Arts Funding and AI Naomi Pohl discussed the challenges facing musicians, including the impact of AI, funding shortfalls, and industry standards. Published: 06 November 2025 Read more about MU General Secretary Meets Culture Secretary to Discuss Arts Funding and AI How Collective Action can Strengthen Connections with Colleagues - and Management Welsh National Opera’s Llinos Owen shares her experiences campaigning to protect the orchestra – and how it’s strengthened her connection to both the company and the MU. Published: 22 October 2025 Read more about How Collective Action can Strengthen Connections with Colleagues - and Management David Rimbault: What Inclusive Orchestras Could Be - And Why We Must Get There Ahead of our October drop-in sessions for members interested in exploring the 10-Point Plan for inclusive recruitment in orchestras, RLPO violinist and MU steward David Rimbault shares his personal reflections on why the sector must act now to remain relevant to both musicians and audiences alike. Published: 30 September 2025 Read more about David Rimbault: What Inclusive Orchestras Could Be - And Why We Must Get There The MU Welcomes Two New Stewards for BBC Singers and Freelancers These new appointments mark a significant step in strengthening support for both BBC Singers and freelance choral musicians, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights protected. Published: 25 September 2025 Read more about The MU Welcomes Two New Stewards for BBC Singers and Freelancers MU, BLiM and ABO Launch Year Two of Inclusive Recruitment Plan for UK Orchestras and Choirs The MU has partnered with BLiM and ABO to launch the second year of the Hiring and Recruitment 10 Point Action Plan. The plan aims to drive change for more inclusive recruitment across the UK’s professional orchestral and choral sectors. Published: 01 September 2025 Read more about MU, BLiM and ABO Launch Year Two of Inclusive Recruitment Plan for UK Orchestras and Choirs Read all orchestral news Upcoming events Last chance to book 07 Nov 2025 Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better Free up your playing and singing using the Feldenkrais method, a sensory-motor learning system which looks at our mind and body holistically. Online Member only Read more about Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better Last chance to book 10 Nov 2025 Guided Meditation An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques that are tailored to help musicians both in their professional and personal lives. Online Member only Read more about Guided Meditation Last chance to book 14 Nov 2025 Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better Free up your playing and singing using the Feldenkrais method, a sensory-motor learning system which looks at our mind and body holistically. Online Member only Read more about Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better See more events As an orchestral musician you know that for any problems or injuries, the MU is there to give you a helping hand or advice. Maxine Kwok-AdamsFirst violin with the LSO Career in orchestra How to Audition Be prepared for your audition and know what to expect for the best chance of success Read more about How to Audition MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music The MU and Association of British Orchestras (ABO) stand together against bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination, and are working jointly to ensure the UK's orchestra sector has a bright future. Read more about MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music Mouth Health for Wind and Brass Players Webinar recording with BAPAM which considers some of the wider factors that may affect the oral health of orchestral instrumental players Read more about Mouth Health for Wind and Brass Players Taking Care of your Music Instruments Advice on how musicians can keep their music instruments in good shape, transport efficiently and set up equipment. Read more about Taking Care of your Music Instruments
Collective Agreements with Orchestras Our agreements cover the salaries, rates of pay, and terms and conditions for employed and freelance orchestral musicians. Read more about Collective Agreements with Orchestras
Orchestras under ABO agreement Rates and terms and conditions agreed with the Association of British Orchestras. Read more about Orchestras under ABO agreement
MU Promulgated Rates We set our own rates for musicians working at orchestral concerts, opera and ballet. Read more about MU Promulgated Rates
Orchestras Travel Sample Policy A sample policy on how travel is treated in collective orchestral agreements and with the ABO. Read more about Orchestras Travel Sample Policy
ABO Orchestral Working Outdoors Practical aspects and health and safety considerations when working outside, or at a large venue concert Read more about Orchestral Working Outdoors
Orchestral Players Living with Covid-19 Health and safety and risk assessment guidance for orchestral players living with Covid-19 Read more about Orchestral Players Living with Covid-19
10-Point Action Plan Inclusive Recruitment in UK Orchestras Get involved in the project driving equity, inclusion and meaningful systematic change across the UK’s professional orchestral and choral sectors Read more about Inclusive Recruitment in UK Orchestras
Fair and Inclusive Orchestral Auditions How to begin the work of creating a transparent and fair recruitment process in a workplace Read more about Fair and Inclusive Orchestral Auditions
MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music Standing together against bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination, and are working jointly to ensure the UK's orchestra sector has a bright future Read more about MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music
MU Orchestra Stewards MU Orchestra Stewards and the Roving Stewards represent you to your employer Read more about MU Orchestra Stewards
Join the Freelance Orchestral Committee Join the Committee to take a more hands-on approach to the way your pay and terms are negotiated Read more about Join the Freelance Orchestral Committee
Join the Orchestra Section Sign up to orchestral news and receive ballots to be able to have your say in decisions that affect your way of working Read more about Join the Orchestra Section
MU General Secretary Meets Culture Secretary to Discuss Arts Funding and AI Naomi Pohl discussed the challenges facing musicians, including the impact of AI, funding shortfalls, and industry standards. Published: 06 November 2025 Read more about MU General Secretary Meets Culture Secretary to Discuss Arts Funding and AI
How Collective Action can Strengthen Connections with Colleagues - and Management Welsh National Opera’s Llinos Owen shares her experiences campaigning to protect the orchestra – and how it’s strengthened her connection to both the company and the MU. Published: 22 October 2025 Read more about How Collective Action can Strengthen Connections with Colleagues - and Management
David Rimbault: What Inclusive Orchestras Could Be - And Why We Must Get There Ahead of our October drop-in sessions for members interested in exploring the 10-Point Plan for inclusive recruitment in orchestras, RLPO violinist and MU steward David Rimbault shares his personal reflections on why the sector must act now to remain relevant to both musicians and audiences alike. Published: 30 September 2025 Read more about David Rimbault: What Inclusive Orchestras Could Be - And Why We Must Get There
The MU Welcomes Two New Stewards for BBC Singers and Freelancers These new appointments mark a significant step in strengthening support for both BBC Singers and freelance choral musicians, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights protected. Published: 25 September 2025 Read more about The MU Welcomes Two New Stewards for BBC Singers and Freelancers
MU, BLiM and ABO Launch Year Two of Inclusive Recruitment Plan for UK Orchestras and Choirs The MU has partnered with BLiM and ABO to launch the second year of the Hiring and Recruitment 10 Point Action Plan. The plan aims to drive change for more inclusive recruitment across the UK’s professional orchestral and choral sectors. Published: 01 September 2025 Read more about MU, BLiM and ABO Launch Year Two of Inclusive Recruitment Plan for UK Orchestras and Choirs
07 Nov 2025 Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better Free up your playing and singing using the Feldenkrais method, a sensory-motor learning system which looks at our mind and body holistically. Online Member only Read more about Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better
10 Nov 2025 Guided Meditation An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques that are tailored to help musicians both in their professional and personal lives. Online Member only Read more about Guided Meditation
14 Nov 2025 Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better Free up your playing and singing using the Feldenkrais method, a sensory-motor learning system which looks at our mind and body holistically. Online Member only Read more about Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better
How to Audition Be prepared for your audition and know what to expect for the best chance of success Read more about How to Audition
MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music The MU and Association of British Orchestras (ABO) stand together against bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination, and are working jointly to ensure the UK's orchestra sector has a bright future. Read more about MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music
Mouth Health for Wind and Brass Players Webinar recording with BAPAM which considers some of the wider factors that may affect the oral health of orchestral instrumental players Read more about Mouth Health for Wind and Brass Players
Taking Care of your Music Instruments Advice on how musicians can keep their music instruments in good shape, transport efficiently and set up equipment. Read more about Taking Care of your Music Instruments