Orchestral Player News & Stories

WNO musicians holding up placards to support the Protect WNO campaign.

MU Welcomes £3.6m Boost for Welsh Arts Sector

Welsh National Opera is set to get the largest share of £3.6 million of new funding to support jobs and touring, following campaigning by Musicians' Union members in the orchestra.

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 people holding placards saying 'Fund The Arts' and 'Protect Welsh National Opera'.

Michael Sheen Backs Campaign to Protect Welsh National Opera

Michael Sheen shared his solidarity with musicians in the Welsh National Opera orchestra and urged people to email their MP in support of the campaign to protect WNO.

Published: 08 November 2024

Northern Ballet demo in October, members are holding signs saying keep northern ballet live.

Musicians’ Unions Worldwide Back Call to Save Northern Ballet’s Orchestra

The International Federation of Musicians backs Northern Ballet Sinfonia in a message of solidarity signed by over 20 musicians’ unions worldwide

Published: 05 November 2024

WNO orchestra players holding up placards that say 'Protect WNO'.

Protect Welsh National Opera: Email Your Political Representatives for Support

Email your political representatives to support musicians campaigning to protect Welsh National Opera jobs and secure the company’s future, including touring in England and Wales.

Published: 30 October 2024

Northern Ballet orchestra musicians performing as part of a demo.

MU Statement on Northern Ballet and Opera North Partnership

The MU is deeply concerned to learn that Northern Ballet have announced plans which may cut their long-standing orchestra players.

Published: 18 October 2024

A photo of orchestra musicians wearing campaign t-shirts and holding placards, with one speaking into a megaphone.

Welsh National Opera Orchestra Take Industrial Action Over Proposed Pay Cuts

Musicians in the Welsh National Opera orchestra took Action Short of Strike on Saturday 21 September.

Published: 24 September 2024

MU staff, members and supporters wearing keep Northern Ballet Live t-shirts and Shakespeare masks at an earlier demo in May 2024.

Keep Northern Ballet Live Campaign Takes Action Ahead of First Performance with Recorded Music

Supporters will be leafleting today ahead of opening night for Northern Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet, highlighting the tragedy of lost live music as it uses recorded tracks instead of the orchestra for the first time.

Published: 19 September 2024

A blue butterfly sat on a violin, representing positive change in the orchestral industry.

A Statement from the MU and the Association of British Orchestras on Culture Change in Classical Music

The MU and Association of British Orchestras (ABO) are working jointly to ensure the UK's orchestra sector has a bright future.

Published: 16 September 2024

Members of the WNO orchestra stood outside the Wales Millennium Centre at a leafleting demo event in June. One person is holding a megaphone.

MU Urges Arts Council of Wales to Use Additional £1.5m Funding to Protect Welsh National Opera

We welcome the acknowledgement of the crisis facing Welsh arts organisations, and urge Arts Council of Wales to use the additional funding to protect full-time performing jobs at Welsh National Opera.

Published: 13 September 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

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

MU Joins Call for Urgent Action to Address the Decimation of Welsh Arts and Culture

Creative unions, including the MU, have written to the new First Minister of Wales expressing deep concern regarding the current and future state of the arts in Wales, calling for more cultural funding across the Country.

Published: 08 August 2024

A MU Wales Official holding a sign and handing out flyers to a man and his young baby during a demo outside of The Wales Millennium Centre in June.

Union Members Vote Yes to Potential Strike Action at Welsh National Opera

Welsh National Opera’s orchestra have voted overwhelmingly in favour of potential strike action, in response to proposals that would reduce the employment of the orchestra from a full-time to 85% contract, along with a 15% pay cut.

Published: 17 July 2024

Old, golden theatre binoculars resting on top of a musical score sheet.

What the Current Status of UK Opera Funding Means for Musicians and Audiences in 2024

Further to the release of Arts Council England’s Let's Create report, an analysis of opera and music theatre in England and Wales, journalist Andrew Stewart investigates the sector's current landscape and how this relates to the report, our members and the wider industry.

Published: 01 July 2024

People holding 'protect WNO' posters outside of The Wales Millennium Centre.

MU Ballots Welsh National Opera Members for a Mandate for Industrial Action

The MU is balloting its members in the Welsh National Opera (WNO) orchestra for a mandate for industrial action.

Published: 25 June 2024

Musicians holding placards as part of a demo to protect the Welsh National Opera orchestra.

Protect WNO Campaign Backed by Senedd Members

Welsh National Opera orchestra members took their petition to the Senedd with support from Rhianon Passmore MS.

Published: 25 June 2024

Birds eye view of a woman on her tablet, sat cross legged next to an open suitcase with a pair of headphones on top of clothes.

MU Launch Brand New Member Benefit for Discounted Hotel Rooms in London

Our new partnership with Imperial Hotels means that we are now able to offer our members discounted rooms in selected hotels across London. Over time, we hope to expand this benefit to other locations throughout the UK.

Published: 01 June 2024

Protesters stood outside the theatre all wearing Shakespeare masks and ruffs, holding up signs saying keep Northern Ballet live.

Musicians Protest Ahead of Romeo & Juliet Performance to Keep Northern Ballet Live

Ahead of the first performance of Northern Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet in London earlier this week, members of the Northern Ballet Sinfonia dressed as Shakespeare and took to the streets to protest against plans to replace the live orchestra with recorded music.

Published: 30 May 2024

An orchestra performing a concerto live.

New ABO Survey Reveals Orchestras Vital to UK Culture

A new survey by the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) has found that 74% of UK adults believe orchestras are an integral part of the country’s cultural heritage.

Published: 21 May 2024

Members of the WNO orchestra standing outside the Bristol Hippodrome with leaflets from a demo on 27 April 2024.

Protect Welsh National Opera: Sign the Petition Now

Musicians at Welsh National Opera orchestra are campaigning to keep the orchestra full time and secure the company’s future.

Published: 02 May 2024

A violinist playing as part of a live orchestra performance.

MU, BLiM and ABO Launch Landmark Agreement to Diversify UK Orchestras

The MU has partnered with Black Lives in Music (BLiM) and the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) to launch the 10 Point Orchestral Plan. The plan will enhance opportunities for all orchestral musicians across the UK, driving change for more inclusive recruitment.

Published: 30 April 2024

Electric keyboard and microphone in foreground, with small choir group out of focus in the background.

MU Joins Calls for ‘Voice’ to be Eligible Instrument Under Orchestra Tax Relief to Enable Choirs to Benefit

Major music sector organisations, networks and individuals are calling for ‘voice’ to be added to the eligible instruments, so that choirs can claim Orchestra Tax Relief.

Published: 24 April 2024

Exterior of the Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff, where the Welsh National Opera is based.

MU Responds to Welsh National Opera Cuts

Musicians' Union members in the orchestra of Welsh National Opera (WNO) are facing a reduction in working weeks, equating to a 15% pay cut as a result of a funding shortfall for the company.

Published: 28 March 2024

Magnifying glass over a light bulb icon on a wooden block, with yellow background.

MU Experts Delve into Labour’s New ‘Access to Arts’ Plan

In this special feature, some of the key departments at the Musicians’ Union respond to Labour’s new report on supporting the creative industries, explaining how these plans may affect our members and their careers.

Published: 19 March 2024

An almost silhouette of a women from behind in front of a stage in the spotlight.

Gabriella Di Laccio and the Donne Foundation: Championing Women in Music

This Women’s History Month we share a powerful guest blog from an award-winning soprano, recording artist, public speaker, curator and activist. Meet Gabriella Di Laccio, the unstoppable force behind Donne, Women in Music - a charitable foundation which is breaking records and influencing change.

Published: 14 March 2024

Back view of conductor directing a symphony orchestra on stage.

MU Welcomes Budget Tax Relief for Theatres and Orchestras

After sustained lobbying from the MU, UK Music and other unions, the Chancellor today announced a permanent increase in the rate of tax relief for orchestras and theatres.

Published: 06 March 2024

Vulva Voce standing in a dark room holding their instruments.

International Women’s Day 2024: Vulva Voce on Breaking the Conventions of Classical Music

In this blog, all-female genre-defying string quartet Vulva Voce celebrate their recent involvement in a world record for the longest acoustic music live-streamed concert, and share the powerful reminder that music written and performed by women and non-binary people is abundant and limitless.

Published: 06 March 2024

Musicians On Tinnitus: “Hearing Health Isn’t Something We Should Take for Granted”

Music artists and producers affected by tinnitus share their stories. Learn more about what preventative steps can be taken and how other musicians manage this hearing condition.

Published: 20 February 2024

Outside of the London Coliseum Theater where ENO is currently based.

Musicians’ Union Members in the Music Staff Reach Agreement with English National Opera

This means that musicians in both the orchestra and music staff have reached agreements with English National Opera, and planned strike action in this dispute is cancelled.

Published: 20 February 2024

BBC Singers and Orchestras Update

A joint update from the BBC and Musicians' Union on the future of the BBC Singers and orchestras.

Published: 15 February 2024

People with placards 'Fund the Arts', 'We are union strong', ;We are ENO'

Musicians’ Union Members Reach Agreement with English National Opera

The MU has reached an agreement with English National Opera for musicians in the orchestra, and an offer in principle for music staff.

Published: 15 February 2024

Out of focus shot of a man teaching a group how to play guitar.

The Damage Caused by a Decade of Arts Funding Cuts

The MU assesses the severe economic, social and cultural damage caused by a decade of Tory arts funding cuts.

Published: 12 February 2024

Person holding a 'Keep Northern Ballet Live' sign after a rally in late 2023.

MU Rejects Use of Recorded Music to Replace Live Orchestra at Northern Ballet

Northern Ballet is replacing musicians in its orchestra with recorded music for some touring productions.

Published: 08 February 2024

An empty rehearsal room full of orchestral instruments and chairs.

Musicians' Union Statement on Strike Action at English National Opera

The MU and Equity are postponing strike action to allow time for urgent talks on improved proposals from ENO management.

Published: 29 January 2024

A t-shirt saying #weareeno draped over instruments in a empty orchestra.

How to Support Musicians’ Union Members on Strike at English National Opera

Share your solidarity with musicians in the English National Opera orchestra and music staff going on strike.

Published: 26 January 2024

The London Coliseum Theater in St Martin Lane, London, the current home English National Opera.

Martyn Brabbins on English National Opera Plans to Fire and Re-Hire Musicians for Just Six Months a Year

A statement from former Music Director of English National Opera Martyn Brabbins on proposed cuts to the orchestra, music staff and chorus.