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 Advisory Board 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.

Orchestras under ABO agreement

Rates and terms and conditions agreed with the Association of British Orchestras.

MU Promulgated Rates

We set our own rates for musicians working at orchestral concerts, opera and ballet.

Orchestral Touring Abroad

Orchestras Travel Sample Policy

A sample policy on how travel is treated in collective orchestral agreements and with the ABO.

ABO

Orchestral Working Outdoors

Practical aspects and health and safety considerations when working outside, or at a large venue concert

Orchestral Players Living with Covid-19

Health and safety and risk assessment guidance for orchestral players living with Covid-19

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

Fair and Inclusive Orchestral Auditions

How to begin the work of creating a transparent and fair recruitment process in a workplace

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

Member representation

MU Orchestra Stewards

MU Orchestra Stewards and the Roving Stewards represent you to your employer

Join the Freelance Orchestral Advisory Board

Join the Advisory Board to take a more hands-on approach to the way your pay and terms are negotiated

Join the Orchestra Sector

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

Close up of a large, red, closed theatre safety curtain, lit up by stage lights.

Right to Work Changes and Deputies: MU Seeking Urgent Legal Clarification

Concerns have been raised about how new Right to Work requirements could affect musicians who arrange deputies or substitutes to perform on their behalf. The MU is urgently investigating the implications and will provide further guidance as soon as possible.

Published: 18 September 2026

New Agreement with Northern Ballet Covered by BBC Radio 4's Front Row

Musicians' Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to BBC Radio 4's Front Row about the Union's new collective agreement with Northern Ballet.

Published: 23 July 2026

Three ballerineras en point on a dark stage.

New Collective Agreement Agreed for Northern Ballet Sinfonia

A new collective agreement has been agreed between the Musicians' Union and Northern Ballet, securing rates, terms and protections for freelance musicians engaged by the company.

Published: 16 July 2026

A young Black musician playing the violin.

Classically Black 2026 Returns to London

Classically Black 2026 returns to Kings Place, London on Saturday 10 October for a full day of music, discussion and celebration.

Published: 11 May 2026

New ABO/MU Agreement Secured with Pay Increases and Strengthened Access Rights

Our new agreement with the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) includes pay increases and important contractual improvements for freelance orchestral musicians.

Published: 14 April 2026

Read all orchestral news

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

25 Sep 2026

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

Last chance to book

A woman with a calculator filling out tax forms.

29 Sep 2026

Financial Planning for Musicians

A free, one-hour webinar on financial planning for musicians at all stages of their career. Available for MU members based in London.

Online (Zoom)

Upcoming

02 Oct 2026

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

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

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.

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

Taking Care of your Music Instruments

Advice on how musicians can keep their music instruments in good shape, transport efficiently and set up equipment.

Cookies on Musicians' Union

Popular searches

Orchestral Work

Advice, agreements and rates

Collective Agreements with Orchestras

Orchestras under ABO agreement

MU Promulgated Rates

Orchestral Touring Abroad

Orchestras Travel Sample Policy

Orchestral Working Outdoors

Orchestral Players Living with Covid-19

Fair and Inclusive Orchestral Auditions

Equity & inclusion

Inclusive Recruitment in UK Orchestras

Fair and Inclusive Orchestral Auditions

MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music

Member representation

MU Orchestra Stewards

Join the Freelance Orchestral Advisory Board

Join the Orchestra Sector

Reverse the cuts, fund the arts

Latest news and features

Right to Work Changes and Deputies: MU Seeking Urgent Legal Clarification

New Agreement with Northern Ballet Covered by BBC Radio 4's Front Row

New Collective Agreement Agreed for Northern Ballet Sinfonia

Classically Black 2026 Returns to London

New ABO/MU Agreement Secured with Pay Increases and Strengthened Access Rights

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Last chance to book

Financial Planning for Musicians

Upcoming

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Career in orchestra

How to Audition

MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music

Mouth Health for Wind and Brass Players

Taking Care of your Music Instruments