Orchestral Player News & Stories

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.

Published: 26 January 2024

Musicians’ Union Strike Action at English National Opera Makes Headlines in BBC News, Guardian, Telegraph and More

Did you see the news? On 17 January, the Musicians’ Union announced the first strike by members for 44 years.

Published: 23 January 2024

Close up of an Orchestral Ensemble from behind.

Employment Tribunal Judgement Awards Nevis Ensemble Fellows £47,000 Compensation

MU members who were engaged by the Nevis Ensemble as Fellows have been awarded compensation by an Employment Tribunal after the organisation's collapse in January 2023.

Published: 19 January 2024

Musicians and Music Staff at English National Opera to Go On Strike

Musicians’ Union members will be going on strike for the first time since July 1980.

Published: 17 January 2024

A marching military band on parade in full uniform.

No Such Thing as a Typical Background: A Look into the Career of Musicians in the Armed Forces

The British Armed Forces represent one of the largest employers of UK musicians. Three experienced military band members share their advice on this rewarding but often-overlooked career path.

Published: 08 January 2024

the concept image of travelling to Canada

New Permit Rules for Travelling with Ivory in Canada

Canadian-issued import and export permits will now be required for travel in and out of Canada with ivory as of 8 January 2024.

Published: 02 January 2024

General Secretary Naomi Pohl stands in discussion outside of the Royal Opera House

2023 End of Year Round Up

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl reports back on the work that the Union has done through 2023, as well as setting out some of MU’s intentions for 2024, and more general food for thought about the music industry.

Published: 30 December 2023

Learning to Negotiate as a Matter of Give and Take

For most freelance musicians, negotiating doesn’t come naturally. But with gig fees, contracts and more to consider, knowing how to do so is crucial to your success within the music industry.

Published: 22 December 2023

Crowd of wooden figures in a circle holding a sign with a red tick, representing a collective vote for yes.

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

MU members in the English National Opera (ENO) orchestra and Music Staff have voted overwhelmingly in favour of potential strike action in a ballot that closed on 21 December 2023.

Published: 21 December 2023

A miniature figurine of a porter with a full luggage cart, placed on the neck of an acoustic guitar. Instrument and baggage concept.

Information for Musicians Flying with Larger Instruments on British Airways

When travelling with British Airways, an additional seat for larger musical instruments cannot be booked online and the airline must be contacted directly, ideally at the time of the initial booking.

Published: 20 December 2023

Louise smiling holding the award with Regional Committee member Martha-Ann Brookes and Executive Committee member Nigel Braithwaite.

MU Congratulates Midlands Member Louise Braithwaite on TUC’s Campaigning Rep of the Year Award

Louise won the Campaigning Rep of the Year Award at the Annual Midlands TUC Awards earlier this month.

Published: 14 December 2023

Inside of the circular, Scottish Parliament interior debating chamber.

Members in Scotland: Write to Your MSP Now in Support of Arts Funding

Call on the Scottish Government to deliver the £100m arts and culture funding pledged by the First Minister earlier this year.

Published: 14 December 2023

Naomi Pohl and Thangam Debbonaire at this year's Labour Party Conference.

MU Political Fund Ballot: Please Vote Yes

The MU is legally required to ballot its members every ten years on whether it should continue to have a political fund. Papers will be sent out this week so please look out for yours and return it as soon as you can.

Published: 13 December 2023

Orchestra pit, chairs and music stands in black and white.

MU Responds to News of ENO’s Move From London to Manchester

The MU is continuing talks with English National Opera regarding their proposals, which do not currently mention the future of our members’ jobs.

Published: 06 December 2023

Some of the musicians and supporters from the demo at Newcastle Theatre Royal on 10 November, holding MU banners and signs saying “Keep Northern Ballet Live”.

Keep Northern Ballet Live Petition Surges Past 10,000 Signatures

Over 10,000 people have signed the petition urging Arts Council England to keep Northern Ballet music live.

Published: 27 November 2023

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl with ENO Music Staff and Orchestra Members after delivering letters outside the building.

Musicians at ENO Deliver Over 150 Letters Urging ENO Management to Reconsider Proposals to Axe Jobs and Go Part-Time

Musicians delivered 153 letters to English National Opera management, urging them to save ENO as a full-time company with a full-time orchestra and music staff on full-time pay.

Published: 24 November 2023

The Royal Opera House orchestra wearing yellow FairPay t-shirts outside of the entrance to the building from their leafleting campaign in September..

Royal Opera House Orchestra Have Voted to Accept a New Pay Offer From Management

Following an MU-supported campaign to have their pay restored to pre-pandemic levels, musicians in the Royal Opera House Orchestra (OROH) have accepted a significantly improved pay and conditions offer from the company’s management to settle this year’s dispute.

Published: 21 November 2023

A crowd march with union banners, including placards that read

Over 100 Letters Urge ENO Management to Save ENO as a Full-Time Company with a Full-Time Orchestra

Add your voice to the call, by writing to English National Opera’s management urging them to reconsider proposals to axe 19 jobs and go part-time.

Published: 16 November 2023

A person in a bright yellow t-shirt reading

Royal Opera House Pay Offer Put to Members in the Orchestra

Musicians in the Royal Opera House orchestra campaigning for their pandemic pay cut to be restored are considering a new pay offer from management.

Published: 15 November 2023

Musicians and supporters holding MU flags and ‘Keep Northern Ballet Live’ signs, outside the Newcastle Theatre Royal on 10 November.

Trade Union Movement Calls on Arts Council England to Keep Northern Ballet Music Live

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak joined musicians from Northern Ballet Sinfonia and supporters from across the union movement in Newcastle, who were campaigning to keep Northern Ballet live.

Published: 14 November 2023

Instruments and music sheets in an empty orchestra pit with no players.

BBC Radio 4 Spotlights Keep Northern Ballet Live Campaign

BBC Radio 4’s Front Row heard from MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl on the campaign to keep Northern Ballet music live and why it comes down to Arts Council England.

Published: 08 November 2023

Singer on stage in front of a microphone on a stand and large audience, in blue light.

This Is Music Report Confirms Significance of Music Industry’s Contribution to UK Economy in 2022

UK Music’s annual economic report, This Is Music 2023, states that the music industry’s contribution to the UK economy was £6.7 billion (GVA) in 2022.

Published: 07 November 2023

People at the ENO joint Unions demo from November 2022 holding signs reading #Behindeverymusician and #LoveENO

Take Action to Save ENO as a Full-Time Company With a Full-Time Orchestra

Write to English National Opera’s management urging them to reconsider proposals to axe 19 jobs and go part-time.

Published: 06 November 2023

A quartet plays in an entrance foyer, displaying

Email Your MP to Keep Northern Ballet Music Live

Northern Ballet Sinfonia musicians are campaigning to protect their jobs and keep Northern Ballet Live. Email your MP for support.

Published: 31 October 2023

Naomi Pohl talks animatedly to two visitors to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden

MU Calls on Government to Support Orchestras Affected by Arts Council England Funding Cuts

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has written to the Chancellor and Culture Secretary calling for support for Northern Ballet, English National Opera, Royal Opera House and the wider sector.

Published: 30 October 2023

Darkly lit orchestra pit with musicians and music sheets.

Les Mis and Miss Saigon Composer Claude-Michel Schönberg Backs Northern Ballet Sinfonia Campaign to Keep Northern Ballet Music Live

Legendary composer Claude-Michel Schönberg calls for an Arts Council England solution to protect Northern Ballet musicians.

Published: 25 October 2023

Members of the ROH Orchestra handing out flyers and holding a banner saying 'Please support the Orchestra #fairpay' before a performance earlier this month.

Royal Opera House Orchestra Set to Take Further Action Short of Strike in Pay Dispute

Musicians in the Royal Opera House orchestra are campaigning to have their pay restored to pre pandemic levels.

Published: 23 October 2023

Exterior of the Theater Royal, Nottingham.

International Federation of Musicians Backs Keep Northern Ballet Music Live Campaign

Musicians' Unions worldwide share their solidarity with Northern Ballet Sinfonia and call on Arts Council England to act urgently.