Music Teaching & Education News & Stories

Clarinet with close up of detached reed mouthpiece.

Embouchure Exhibition: Celebrating the Story of One Dentist and His Pioneering Work With Wind and Brass Players

A new London exhibition shows how the dedication and passion of dentist Maurice Porter helped generations of brass and woodwind players perfect and resolve problems with their embouchure.

Published: 02 October 2023

School orchestra, with most instruments blurred in the background and a xylophone in focus in the foreground

Ofsted Music Subject Report: MU Response

Ofsted has published a new report into music education in schools in England, revealing serious inequalities in terms of access to instrumental tuition among other findings.

Published: 26 September 2023

Drum kit and piano in a music classroom.

MU and ISBA Launch New Consultancy Agreement for Visiting Music Teachers

Designed for self-employed MU members teaching in independent schools, the new contract template helps preserve genuine self-employment, protecting teachers’ freedom to set rates, use deputies and other rights.

Published: 21 September 2023

Close up two hands connecting jigsaw pieces. Teamwork concept.

Member’s Voice: Why I Became an MU Education Rep

Verity Quarmby reflects on how a spark for union involvement led to becoming an MU Education Rep and how she’s making a difference in her workplace.

Published: 12 September 2023

Woman playing acoustic guitar at a table with male musician, paper and pen are on the table next to them.

First Ever UK Musicians’ Census Provides Unparalleled Insight into the Careers of the UK’s Musicians and Music Creators

The Musicians’ Census reveals UK musicians’ average annual income from music work is £20,700 – but nearly half earn under £14,000.

Published: 11 September 2023

From Classical to Contemporary Pop: How One Music Education Innovator Has Helped Shape Vocational Qualifications

Norton York started a summer school for pop musicians with the help of a grant from the MU in 1988. Thirty five years on, his exam board, RSL Awards, is a major player in the music education marketplace.

Published: 08 September 2023

Busy school corridor with motion blurred students and staff.

What RAAC-Related School Closures Mean For MU Members Who Teach

More than 100 schools – a number that could increase – have been instructed to shut buildings made with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Contingency planning could affect MU members who teach.

Published: 07 September 2023

Secondary school children sat around tables in a classroom, sharing an electronic keyboard having a music lesson.

The MU and NEU: A Shared Belief in Every Child’s Right To Music

MU National Organiser for Education Chris Walters discusses the vital importance of all children being able to access music and arts education in an article for NEU’s Educate magazine.

Published: 30 August 2023

Early Years Music Opens Programme of Events and Mentoring Opportunities for Musicians in Scotland

The year-long programme offers free online events for those working with children in the early years in Scotland, as well as mentoring opportunities with Chair of the MU’s Education Committee Yvonne Wyroslawska.

Published: 21 August 2023

Sarah Tomlinson: “I Wish I’d Used the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme Years Ago”

MU Education Rep Sarah Tomlinson tells us why she decided to use the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme and why hearing health is important for everyone.

Published: 14 August 2023

Four wooden cubes with head symbols and a hand that is flipping one to reveal a lightbulb representing an idea.

Member’s Voice: Alice Angliss on Why She Attends MU Regional Committee Meetings

Musician and MU London member Alice Angliss shares her first-hand experience of what Regional Committee meetings are, how they work and why they’re vital in giving support to members and the industry.

Published: 10 August 2023

Colourful paper chain of people in a circle, in the middle of open cupped hands, representing safeguarding and protection.

MU Launch New Safeguarding Resources For Musicians Who Teach

The new resources define best practice in safeguarding for members working with children and vulnerable adults.

Published: 27 July 2023

MU Executive Committe Vice Chair Andi Hopgood, stands and speaks from the mic while holding a small child.

Wrapping Up MU Delegate Conference 2023: Motions, Updates and Celebrations

MU Delegate Conference wraps up with motions on the Welsh language, future pandemic planning for musicians and the closure of rail ticket offices, with union members using the second day of MU Delegate Conference to vote on a very clear set of policy priorities.

Published: 26 July 2023

Delegate conference attendees sit at tables in a bright room.

Solidarity, Music Education and Championing Music on the Agenda on First Day of MU Delegate Conference 2023

A packed first day of MU Delegate Conference including inspiring speeches and important policy decisions on the big issues facing musicians today.

Published: 25 July 2023

Large cup of coffee on a table in a brightly lit coffee shop

New Series of MU 1-2-1 Advice Sessions Released Across Scotland

We’ll be running free 30-minute advice sessions in Edinburgh, Dundee, Dumfries, Glasgow and Galashiels over the summer, with more dates to be announced for Skye, Inverness and Aberdeen in the Autumn.

Published: 04 July 2023

Black background with golden glitter and confetti to represent a celebration.

The MU’s 130th Anniversary

We look back on the Union’s rich history and the battles won and lost over the decades.

Published: 20 June 2023

Music stand holding open music books with chairs and an acoustic guitar in the background.

Arts Council England Confirms New Music Hub Geographies

Arts Council England (ACE) has confirmed that from September 2024 there will be 43 Music Hubs in England, down from the current 116. Here MU National Organiser for Education and Health & Wellbeing Chris Walters looks at the implications for members.

Published: 13 June 2023

Howard Rogerson dressed in a white suit as conductor, on stage with the orchestra facing a seated audience.

Howard Rogerson: The Importance of Access to Free and Meaningful Music Education

In this insightful blog, long standing MU member Howard Rogerson reflects on how free access to quality music education was crucial for his lifelong career in music.

Published: 01 June 2023

A view panning over rooftops indicating dense housing in an area of Lewisham.

Musician Calls for the Protection For the Right to Play Musical Instruments

A classical musician who had to move out of her London flat following noise complaints has started a petition calling for clarification around music practice in relation to statutory nuisance laws, which the MU has followed up with a letter to Lewisham Council.

Published: 23 May 2023

Young woman deep in thought wearing yellow headphones against a warm yellow background.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023: MU Resources and Support

To mark this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week we’re sharing information and resources about what the MU does to support mental health and wellbeing.

Published: 15 May 2023

Impact of Arts Council England Cuts on Young Workers Raised at TUC Young Workers’ Conference

MU delegate Tom Plater explores the impact of Government arts funding cuts on young people in this speech to TUC Young Workers’ Conference 2023.

Published: 18 April 2023

A Feldenkrais demonstration taking place, where the arm of a model skeleton is held up in the same pose as the arm of a demonstrating participant

Michelle Saacks: Why I go the MU’s free Feldenkrais sessions

The MU have been running Feldenkrais sessions for members over Zoom for a few years now, and in this article MU Member Michelle Saacks talks about her own Feldenkrais journey – from finding herself in a more functioning body, to the impact it’s had on her teaching.

Published: 14 April 2023

Silhouette of man sitting at sunset representing mindfulness.

Ben Haines: How Skills From The MU’s Meditation Sessions Transformed My Playing

Ben Haines is a regular at the MU’s free weekly Meditation sessions, which originally started during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic due to the enormous impact it had on the mental health of our members. Here he shares why he’s been going ever since.

Published: 11 April 2023

Linton Stephens talking into a microphone on a stand in front of a background of Musicians' Union banners.

An Inclusive Workplace is Characterised by Affirmative Action

Chair of the MU Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee Linton Stephens discusses what we can do to make our industry more inclusive through recognising art as an ever-changing response to the world around us.

Published: 05 April 2023

Acoustic guitar and sheet music stand next to some chairs in an empty music classroom.

Joint MU-NEU Music Education Motion Passed at NEU Conference

The motion and speech highlighted the importance of arts and music education in schools and the need for proper funding.

Published: 03 April 2023

A non-binary person using a laptop at work.

Trade Unions for Trans Rights Network Launch Event Announced by TUC

The TUC will be running a launch event for their new Trade Unions for Trans Rights Network on 29 April, following a Congress motion which was carried at the TUC LGBT+ Conference on supporting trans and non-binary workers.

Published: 27 March 2023

A group of co-workers of varying genders having a meeting.

LIVE to Run Inclusion & Education Workshop for International Trans Day of Visibility

The workshop, led by Saskhia Menendez is free to attend and will run online, covering real lived experience on what it means to be Transgender in the Music Industry and educating on better Allyship.

Published: 27 March 2023

10 Tips to Help Musicians Make Money from Patreon

One decade on from the launch of Patreon, the MU focuses on how to get the best out of this popular membership subscription platform.

Published: 21 March 2023

Birmingham UK Skyline. Market, St Martins Church, Rotunder and The Bullring.

Shape What the MU Does For You Over the Next Two Years: Submit a Motion to MU Delegate Conference

Create change in the Musicians’ Union, in your sector or in the wider music industry - submit a motion to MU Delegate Conference.

Published: 21 March 2023

The Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh, standing out in the sunshine

Scotland Lobbying Update: The Need for Ongoing and Sustainable Investment

A brief update on recent lobbying activity in Scotland from MU Regional Organiser for Scotland & Northern Ireland Caroline Sewell, who has been discussing arts funding, instrumental music provision and the wellbeing economy amongst other issues.

Published: 16 March 2023

Black and white image of Jon Hart on stage from behind facing crowd.

Square Peg in a Round Hole: Jon Hart on Navigating the Industry as a Neurodivergent Musician

This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, award-winning acoustic artist and MU member Jon Hart shares his experiences of breaking through conformity, and explains how although career success may come and go, music as true self-representation is always a constant.

Published: 16 March 2023

Child playing a recorder, reading intently from a music stand.

Arts Council England Proposes Reduced Number of Music Hubs

A proposal to reduce the number of Music Hubs from 116 to 43, to be accomplished by merging the existing Music Hub areas, is out to public consultation until 31 March. Anyone with an interest in Music Hubs should complete the consultation.

Published: 14 March 2023

Three teenage students at a drum lesson.

How Peripatetic Music Teachers Are Coping in the Post-Covid Lockdown Era

Assessing how peri music teachers are coping with education cuts, the cost of living crisis and the ongoing erosion of music provision in schools.

Published: 13 March 2023

A circle of people seated, two men and two women, the man in the center has a clipboard, representing a discussion or support meeting.

Adam Ficek’s Reflections On The Complexity Of Being a Musician Who Teaches

Last year the MU partnered with Tonic Rider and Help Musicians to provide a Peer Support Group for music teachers. The group was facilitated by musician and psychotherapist Adam Ficek who explains here the benefits of connecting with our peers.

Published: 06 March 2023

Hands holding musical instruments. Left to right, drum sticks, record, maracas, symbol and acoustic guitar.

The MU and Come Play With Me Strive to Improve Landscape for LGBTQ+ Musicians

As LGBT+ History Month UK comes to an end, The MU and Come Play with Me (CPWM) would like to reaffirm our commitment to creating an industry and society where all LGBTQ+ people can live and work without fear of violence or discrimination.

Published: 02 March 2023

The Expo is a buzzing showcase of the latest resources and industry initiatives in music education.

MU at the 2023 Music and Drama Education Expo

MU officials met and spoke to many members working in music education at the UK’s largest exhibition for music educators, which was held 23-24 February in London.

Published: 28 February 2023

Shelves stacked with paper achieve files.

“By Means of Printed Questionnaires” - An Archival View of The Musicians’ Census

Today’s Musicians’ Census is not the first time the MU has attempted to capture a comprehensive picture of musical life across the UK and here, University Archivist Karl Magee looks back 75 years to the very first.