Music Teaching & Education News & Stories

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Life Support: How BAPAM Supports Artists and Why the MU Proudly Backs its Work

A life in the arts often brings physical or psychological challenges, but BAPAM can offer vital support. Trustee and MU National Organiser for Education, Health and Wellbeing Chris Walters explains why the union is proud to champion its work and how its services can benefit members.

Published: 04 December 2025

Charlie Baxter: Winner of The Youth Music Award for Inspirational Music Leader 2025

Congratulations to Charlie Baxter, winner of the MU-sponsored Inspirational Music Leader award at this year’s Youth Music Awards. In this guest blog, discover how Charlie’s career in education has focused on breaking down barriers and making music truly accessible and inclusive for young people.

Published: 26 November 2025

Boating Lake at Highfields Park - a public area in the grounds of the University of Nottingham.

MU Sends Open Letter to University of Nottingham on Music Course Cuts

Music courses are being suspended for new students at the University of Nottingham while the university’s council decides whether to terminate the courses permanently. Read our open letter to the University's Vice Chancellor.

Published: 25 November 2025

A woman sat in a park closing her eyes and gently stretching her neck to the side.

Exploring Neck Pain Through the Feldenkrais Method with Emma Alter

Originally posted on her blog, professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter discusses how our neck and spine work together. The rest of this year’s Feldenkrais sessions will follow the theme of ‘Freeing Your Neck’, and are free for MU members.

Published: 18 November 2025

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CULT Cymru Opens Applications for Coaching and Mentoring Course

Develop your leadership skills with CULT Cymru's coaching and mentoring programme for union members in the creative industries.

Published: 11 November 2025

Exterior shot of the research building at Nottingham University.

University of Nottingham to Suspend Music Courses

A consultation to close music at Nottingham is the latest in a string of proposed university music closures.

Published: 06 November 2025

Curriculum and Assessment Review: Final Report Published

The Review has made several positive recommendations relating to music, which the Government has broadly supported.

Published: 06 November 2025

Dumfries and Galloway Council Consults to Close Music Service

Take part in the consultation protesting the proposed closure of Dumfries and Galloway’s instrumental music service. Share your views by 23 November 2025.

Published: 27 October 2025

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MU Delegate Conference 2025 is Underway in Liverpool

Violinist and Chair of the Executive Committee, Alex Gascoine, opens MU Delegate Conference 2025.

Published: 22 July 2025

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MU Members in Wales Invited to Music Education Strategy Meetings on 15 and 16 July

The online meetings will explore under-18 and post-18 music education in Wales as part of UK Music’s strategy for the devolved nations.

Published: 11 July 2025

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Join the MU at the We Make Music Scotland Conference 2025

The MU will be attending and sponsoring a workshop at this year’s We Make Music Scotland Conference, taking place on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 September at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.

Published: 02 July 2025

Young women sat at a piano in an auditorium.

MU Welcomes Cardiff Music School’s Decision to Remain Open and Urges More Support for Arts in Higher Education

Proposals to close the School of Music at Cardiff University won’t go ahead, but further work is needed on the detailed plans and culture across Wales.

Published: 04 June 2025

Close up of a child in a red jumper at a drum kit, in a music classroom with other pupils and a tutor.

Welsh Government to Fund National Music Service for a Further Three Years

The MU welcomes the news, although funding levels still aren’t sufficient to meet the Welsh Government's ambitions for music education.

Published: 04 June 2025

A student in a classroom playing violin as part of a music workshop.

MU Launches Survey to Negotiate Rates for Orchestral Education Work

Take part in the survey for Orchestral members delivering education, learning and participation work for orchestras under the Association of British Orchestras (ABO)/MU agreement.

Published: 27 May 2025

Exterior long shot of Caird Hall, Dundee., where Congress takes place.

MU Represents Scottish Musicians at STUC Congress 2025

Last week we attended the annual Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) with MU Delegates Ronnie MacNiven, Ben Lunn and Calum Baird, who discussed the value of music education, fair work for musicians, the need for stability of the arts, and more. All of our motions were passed unanimously.

Published: 06 May 2025

Exterior of the Clermont Hotel Charing Cross branch.

MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London

Our new partnership with Clermont Hotels means MU members can book discounted hotel rooms at various locations in London, as an exclusive membership benefit.

Published: 01 May 2025

A young male musician, playing to an older man who is smiling as he listens.

Changes to the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 (Disclosure Act)

Changes have been introduced to the disclosure system in Scotland from 1 April 2025, aiming to remove unnecessary barriers for those seeking work and enhance the PVG Scheme.

Published: 08 April 2025

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MU Launches Another Member Benefit of Discounted Hotels Across UK

Our new partnership with Point A Hotels means that members can now benefit from discounted hotel rooms in Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

Published: 01 April 2025

Three children sat in a semicircle in a music classroom, having a guitar lesson from a tutor.

Curriculum Review: Sign the Campaign Letter to Help Make Space for the Arts in Schools

Following the publication of an interim report from the government’s Curriculum Review, our open letter to ministers highlights the desperate need to make space for the arts in schools.

Published: 31 March 2025

School students in a music lesson learning on keyboards.

Government Announces New Centre for Arts and Music Education

The MU welcomes the news, which we hope will be central to the Labour Government’s delivery on its pledges to boost music and arts education in England.

Published: 19 March 2025

Kathryn, smiling stood holding the award.

The Youth Music Award for Inspirational Music Leader: “An Absolute Career Highlight For Me”

MU member and winner of this year’s Youth Music's Inspirational Music Leader award, Kathryn Sturman, reflects on how her confidence has grown from supporting others.

Published: 07 March 2025

A female music teacher sitting at a piano with a young girl teaching her how to play.

Advice for Music Teachers on the Central Digital Platform and Procurement Act 2023

The MU has been approached by a number of musicians who teach in schools, concerned about the introduction of the government’s Central Digital Platform. MU Education Official, David Barnard, has reviewed the legislation in consultation with a solicitor and has produced a summary for members.

Published: 25 February 2025

Three violinists as part of a symphony orchestra.

Join Mass Demo to Protest Proposed Axing of Cardiff University’s School of Music

On Saturday 22 February, musicians, students and alumni will be gathering to publicly protest the proposed closure of Cardiff University's School of Music.

Published: 21 February 2025

Out of focus interior of a school music classroom, with students practicing musical instruments and an acoustic guitar in the foreground.

Let’s Demand More for Music Hubs

With a new report suggesting that music hubs are facing a £161.4 million black hole, MU National Organiser Chris Walters looks at how we got here and invites members to take action.

Published: 20 February 2025

London cityscape with Houses of Parliament and Big Ben tower at sunset.

MU Lobbying Update: How We’re Representing Members in Parliament

The MU’s Head of Communications and Government Relations, Isabelle Gutierrez, reports on a busy month of highlighting musicians’ issues in parliament, with updates relating to streaming, music education, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Published: 20 February 2025

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl on stage at the launch in London.

MU Supports New Arts and Minds Campaign

The newly launched campaign, led by the National Education Union with support from the MU, urges political change to restore the place of arts subjects in schools.

Published: 19 February 2025

A music teacher with a student holding a saxophone.

MU Gravely Concerned by Threat to Stirling’s Instrumental Music Service

Stirling Council has opened a consultation surrounding proposed budget cuts to its Instrumental Music Service. Take the survey and sign the petition to share your views.

Published: 08 January 2025

Young boy playing violin, reading sheet music, in a music classroom at school.

MU Responds to Government Curriculum Review

We highlighted unequal access to music education and the urgent need to reverse the marginalisation of arts subjects in schools under the last Government.

Published: 05 December 2024

A Black male musician wearing a baseball cap singing into a microphone.

Have Your Say on the Value of Black British Music

Artists, creators and industry professionals working with Black British music are encouraged to take part in the survey to understand the value that the artform brings to the UK music industry.

Published: 04 December 2024

The Welsh flag against a light blue sky.

Take the Creative Wales Industry Survey 2024

Businesses, employers, employees and freelancers in the creative sector in Wales are invited to take part in a short survey to help Creative Wales strengthen their support of the creative industries.

Published: 21 November 2024

MU Appoints First-Ever Permanent Officer for Northern Ireland

The Musicians’ Union has appointed its first-ever Regional Officer for Northern Ireland, marking an important point of progress for our members in the region.

Published: 21 November 2024

Two secondary school students in uniform reading music and playing a keyboard in class.

Invitation to Respond to Government Curriculum Review

The Government is running a Curriculum and Assessment Review, with a call for evidence that anyone can complete by the deadline of 22 November.

Published: 05 November 2024

A woman sat at a piano, smiling as she teaches a young girl how to play.

Help Protect Instrumental Music Services in Scotland

Instrumental Music Services across Scotland are under threat. Help protect their existence and the livelihoods of their workforce by contacting your local authority councillors and MSPs, to demand that government grants to cover instrumental music tuition are used only as they are intended.

Published: 28 October 2024

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A Personal Journey Through Hip-Hop: From Cyphers to Social Impact

Xidus Pain is a renowned rap artist and influential music educator. In this personal blog to celebrate Black History Month 2024, he discusses what the genre means to him and how it has shaped both his own personal journey and musical career.

Published: 01 October 2024

TUC Backs Union Call for Increased Arts Funding as Part of Plans for Economic Growth

Working people from across the union movement have backed the MU’s call for increased arts funding to protect jobs and access to world class art for everyone.

Published: 13 September 2024

Samantha Lubin: Why I Became an MU Education Rep

Samantha Lubin reflects on the pride she feels helping others and making a difference, and how being an MU Education Rep aligns with who she is.

Published: 02 September 2024

MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund

We are deeply concerned to learn that Creative Scotland has closed the Open Fund for Individuals due to the Scottish Government budget cuts.

Published: 21 August 2024

Young female teacher sat with a pupil in a music room where he plays an electronic keyboard.

Government to Provide Grant Funding for Teachers’ Pensions in Music Hubs

We welcome news of this new grant for specific Music Hub organisations, which comes after sustained advocacy from the MU, working alongside Music Mark and the ISM.

Published: 20 August 2024

Person sat on the floor cross-legged in front of an open laptop, surrounded by a note book and tealight candles.

Breathing For Calm: A Short Breath Control Exercise From Feldenkrais Expert Emma Alter

Originally posted during International Feldenkrais Week on her blog, professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter discusses breath control and how she approaches it in her classes, which are free for MU members.

Published: 19 July 2024

Young Sounds UK: Keeping Music Accessible for Young People from Low-Income Families

Read about how Young Sounds UK are supporting musical talent and addressing the challenges that young musicians face across the country.

Published: 16 July 2024

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