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

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

Interior of the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh, Scotland.

MU Responds to Scottish Budget 2026-27

While the Musicians' Union welcomes the Scottish Government's increase to Culture spend, we are concerned about the lack of funding for individual artists and those engaged by the National Performing Companies (NPCs).

Published: 15 January 2026

The outside of the BBC Headquarters building.

BEAU Statement on BBC Charter Review Launch

The MU has joined sister unions in writing to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy to reiterate the key principles that should underpin the BBC Charter Review process.

Published: 18 December 2025

View from the second floor of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre with a period costume in the foreground.

MU Backs Petition to Stop Closure of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Music Department

The MU is supporting members who have raised concerns and is currently involved in consultation with the RSC.

Published: 12 December 2025

Read all orchestral news

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

A finger following a music score on a sheet of paper.

14 May 2026

Workflow and Score Appearance in Sibelius

An online workshop exploring workflow efficiency in Sibelius and suggestions for improving the speed with which you input your music. For members based in Scotland and Northern Ireland as a priority (limited places available for members outside the region).

Online (Zoom)

Last chance to book

15 May 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

Upcoming

22 May 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.

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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

Classically Black 2026 Returns to London

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

MU Responds to Scottish Budget 2026-27

BEAU Statement on BBC Charter Review Launch

MU Backs Petition to Stop Closure of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Music Department

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Workflow and Score Appearance in Sibelius

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

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