Composing and Songwriting

If you do any music writing and composing, the MU is here for you. We advise on copyright issues and royalty payments, as well as providing standard contracts and advice on rates of pay.

Guidance for music writers

Arrangers and Copyists

The role of arrangers, copyists and orchestrators, our fee guidelines and standard contracts.

Commissioned Work

Fee guidelines for live commissions and recorded media commissions, and standard commissioning contracts for your use.

Music Publishing

Guidance on signing with a music publisher and self publishing.

Royalties

How unpublished composers and songwriters can receive fees and royalties from the use of their works.

Copyright

A guide to UK copyright law, proving and protecting your songwriting or composition copyright.

The Musical Theatre Kit

Career as a composer

How the MCPS Benefits Songwriters and Composers

Ensure you get the royalties that you’re owed.

Event recording

How to Find Work as a Media Composer

Explore how to find work as a media composer, and the different opportunities available across the sector.

Event recording with Andrew Kingslow

Make it Work: Composing Production Music

Want to know what it's like to compose Production (Library) Music and whether it's an area that might be applicable to you?

Insights

Composing 101

Media composers Andrea Posse, Victoria Wijeratne, Marie-Anne Fischer, and Roma Yagnik discuss the creative challenges and rewards of their craft.

What the MU does for composers and songwriters

The Musicians' Union represents composers and songwriters, with a dedicated section for music writers. Here’s how we can support you, from copyright law and royalty payments to template contracts and advice on rates of pay.

Member services

Member service

Musical Instrument and Equipment Insurance

With this insurance MU members can protect their tools of trade anywhere in the world.

Member service

Contract Advisory Service

Make sure the contract you sign is fair and includes all of the necessary clauses.

Discount

Hearing Health Scheme

Get access to musician-specialist audiologists and bespoke hearing protection.

Personal Accident Cover

Claim financial benefits in the event of an accident at work.

Unpaid Fee Recovery

We can help when you haven't been paid properly for your work.

Personal Injury Claims

Legal benefits package for you and your family.

All composer resources

Last updated:
17 August 2022

Song Share Agreement

template

The Musical Theatre Kit

guide

Arranging, Music Preparation and Orchestration Rates

rates

Last updated:
17 August 2022

Arranger and Copyist Standard Contracts

template

Last updated:
26 April 2024

TV Commissioning Specimen Agreement for Media Composers

specimen document

Last updated:
12 October 2020

Media Commissions

rates

Concert Music Commissions

rates

Last updated:
17 August 2022

Commissioning Contracts

template

Latest news and features

Three vocalists in a recording studio singing into a microphone.

Music Streaming: What Does a Fair Deal for Musicians Look Like?

How are musicians paid for music streaming and what could a fair deal look like? MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl explains...

Published: 11 February 2025

Two men in a recording studio pointing at the computer screen.

Council of Music Makers: Help Us Fix Streaming Webinar

Join the Council of Music Makers for a free webinar on how to ensure everyone involved in making music is properly credited, paid and able to understand how their streaming service works.

Published: 30 January 2025

A young female musicians playing an electric piano in a recording studio.

Mothers Write 2025: Applications Open for Mothers in Music to Join Songwriting Camp

Songwriters who are mothers can now apply for the 2025 edition of Mothers Write, a songwriting camp for mothers in music to enhance their skills and career development.

Published: 16 January 2025

Musician Steve Luck in a white t-shirt and black blazer, standing next a graffitied wall on a cobbled road.

Beyond The Music: Essential Skills and Qualities for a Sustainable Music Career

MU Music Writers Committee member and award-winning composer Steve Luck reflects on his journey and shares why adaptability and continuous learning are key to building a long-term music career.

Published: 19 December 2024

A scientist computing, analysing and visualising complex data set on computer.

Musicians’ Union Cautious on Government AI Consultation

The MU was invited to respond to a government consultation on a proposed exception to UK copyright law which will allow AI developers to use creative works to train their systems without breaching copyright.

Published: 17 December 2024

See all music writers' news

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Calling all media composers

Get a fair share of the value you create. Back the Fair Score campaign.

Find out more See all Campaigns

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Composing and Songwriting

Guidance for music writers

Arrangers and Copyists

Commissioned Work

Music Publishing

Royalties

Copyright

The Musical Theatre Kit

Career as a composer

How the MCPS Benefits Songwriters and Composers

How to Find Work as a Media Composer

Make it Work: Composing Production Music

Composing 101

What the MU does for composers and songwriters

Member services

Musical Instrument and Equipment Insurance

Contract Advisory Service

Hearing Health Scheme

Personal Accident Cover

Unpaid Fee Recovery

Personal Injury Claims

All composer resources

Song Share Agreement

The Musical Theatre Kit

Arranging, Music Preparation and Orchestration Rates

Arranger and Copyist Standard Contracts

TV Commissioning Specimen Agreement for Media Composers

Media Commissions

Concert Music Commissions

Commissioning Contracts

Latest news and features

Music Streaming: What Does a Fair Deal for Musicians Look Like?

Council of Music Makers: Help Us Fix Streaming Webinar

Mothers Write 2025: Applications Open for Mothers in Music to Join Songwriting Camp

Beyond The Music: Essential Skills and Qualities for a Sustainable Music Career

Musicians’ Union Cautious on Government AI Consultation

Calling all media composers