Music Industry Sectors

What are the MU's Music Industry Sectors?

An MU Music Industry Sector is simply a group of members who work in the same area of the music industry, be it music education, orchestras, theatre, live performance, composing or recording. When you first join the Union, you are invited to join at least one music industry sector group. You can join as many of our Sectors as you wish, and this will entitle you to receive sector-specific newsletters and other communications and advice. It will also enable you to put yourself forward to sit on the Advisory Board for that Music Industry Sector.

The MU's Music Industry Sectors are:

• Recording and Broadcasting Sector - for members working as session musicians, contracted artists, home recording artists and others.
• Live Performance Sector - for members working in all areas of live performance, such as gigs in pubs, clubs, festivals, busking, hotels, colleges, holiday camps, cruise ships and concert halls.
• Orchestra Sector- for employed and freelance members of UK-based orchestras, including extras and deputies.
• Theatre Sector – focuses on musicians working in regional and touring theatre (London theatres, including those in the West End, are generally covered by the MU’s London Regional Committee).
• Music Writers' Sector – for composers and songwriters, arrangers and copyists.
• Education Sector - all forms of music teaching.

Each Sector has a democratically elected Advisory Board (previously called Section Committees) that meets, as required by the Union’s Executive Committee (EC), in order to discuss stakeholder issues and, where appropriate, make recommendations to the EC. 

Go to My MU to join the sectors and receive updates on MU’s work in your area of work. 

Music Industry Advisory Boards

Each MU Music Industry Sector has an Advisory Board that discusses issues relevant to the membership of that music industry sector and makes relevant recommendations to the MU Executive Committee (EC). Each Advisory Board consists of up to 20 members from the MU Music Industry Sector who are nominated by their fellow Music Industry Sector members to represent them for a 2-year term.

The work of the Music Industry Advisory Boards

It's crucial that Advisory Boards are well populated, diverse and, most importantly, that they are made up of members actively working in the relevant sector of the industry.  

Membership is open to any member who earns all or part of their living from the area of work that the Sector covers. 

Standing for nomination 

Nominations for all Advisory Boards takes place every two years and are subject to a ballot of members of the relevant Sector if required.

If you need any advice or assistance in seeking nomination then contact your MU Regional Organiser who will be happy to help. 

You can seek nomination for more than one Advisory Board. Board members will be expected to attend meetings at least twice a year and will be reimbursed for any travel expenses and/or loss of earnings where applicable.