Freelance Orchestral Advisory Board

About the Freelance Orchestral Advisory Board

The Freelance Orchestral Advisory Board (formerly the Freelance Orchestral Committee) is an advisory and consultative body within the Musicians’ Union (MU) Orchestra Sector. The Advisory Board exists to represent and advocate for the interests of freelance orchestral musicians (extras and deputies) across the UK, informing MU policy, supporting decision-making, and highlighting sector-specific issues to the MU Executive Committee.

Role

The Advisory Board remit includes:

• Supporting MU officials in negotiations and consultations with professional UK-based orchestras by providing experience-based knowledge, real case studies, feedback on agreement interpretation and best practices
• Making recommendations to the MU Executive Committee on freelance orchestral issues when requested by Union Officials
• Promoting best practice, equality, diversity, and inclusion across the orchestral sector
• Recruiting MU members across the sector and encouraging those members to become active in their workplaces
• Supporting officials to respond to sector developments on things such as funding, pay, touring, terms and conditions, and health & safety by providing real life case studies and experiences of freelance musicians
• Reporting to officials on matters affecting the engagement and working conditions of freelance orchestral musicians where the union may have some influence on improving terms and conditions or collecting information on best practices.

Areas of focus 

The Advisory Board covers a wide range of topics relevant to freelance orchestral musicians, including:

• Pay and Conditions: Supporting Union officials who negotiate and review freelance rates by providing feedback from lived experiences of things such as parity of pay with employed musicians and inconsistencies across the sector in areas such as travel, subsistence, and porterage
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: Working with the MU and partners to improve recruitment practices, support underrepresented groups, and ensure fair treatment for all freelancers
• Health & Safety: Advocating for safe working environments, including hearing protection, access and wellbeing support
• Sector Advocacy: Supporting Union officials with lobbying for improved funding, fair treatment, and recognition of freelance musicians’ contributions by providing case studies, attending events, participating in petitions, rallies and marches and showing solidarity with other MU members and sister unions.

Recent achievements and ongoing work 

• Supported MU officials to negotiate pay uplifts for freelancers across multiple orchestras and companies. This included attending some negotiation meetings and working groups to provide real freelancer’s experiences, most notably negotiations with the Association of British Orchestras, the umbrella body for UK Orchestral Management.
• Advocated for improved travel, subsistence, and porterage arrangements, supporting in drafting a new template policy.
• Supported the creation of working groups on EDI, health & safety, touring, and education/outreach in partnership with the Association of British Orchestras.
• Reported to Union Officials on sector challenges such as late payments, non-payment issues, and the impact of funding decisions on freelance work.
• Promoted best practice in recruitment and fair treatment for all freelance musicians.

Standing for the Freelance Orchestral Advisory Board

Seats: The Advisory Board comprises up to 20 elected members, serving two-year terms from April of the election year.

Meetings: The Advisory Board meets around three times per year, primarily online, with occasional in-person meetings and hybrid options.

Eligibility: To stand for election, you must be a Freelance Orchestral Player (Extra and Deputies) in the MU Orchestra Sector and nominated by a fellow freelance member. The Advisory Board aims for broad geographical and sector representation, with reserved seats to support diversity.

Co-option: The Board may co-opt additional members to address gaps in representation or expertise, with full voting rights.

Why join?

As a member of the Freelance Orchestral Advisory Board, you will have the opportunity to: 

• Influence MU policy and negotiations affecting freelance orchestral musicians.
• Develop as an activist and leader within the sector.
• Network with peers, MU officials, and industry stakeholders.
• Help shape the future of freelance orchestral work in the UK.

Responsibilities

Board members are expected to:

• Attend meetings and contribute to discussions and working groups.
• Share responsibility for collective decisions and actions.
• Uphold the MU’s values of equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Act as a conduit between the freelance community and the MU.

How to get involved

If you are a freelance orchestral musician and a member of the MU Orchestra Sector, you can:

• Stand for election to the Advisory Board (nominations open every two years)
• Participate in working groups and consultations
• Contact the Advisory Board with issues, ideas, or feedback via orchestral@themu.org.

Learn more about the MU Orchestral Sector.