Music Writing & Composer News & Stories

Graphic image includes three brightly coloured squares, one with the text

Have Your Say in Select Committee Inquiry on Music Streaming

MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee want to know how the economics of music streaming are affecting you.

Published: 30 October 2020

Brightly coloured graphic panel, there is a black square in the centre reading

UK Music Unveils “Game-Changing” Plan to Boost Diversity

Campaigning and lobbying group UK Music – of which the MU is a part – has released the results of its 2020 Workforce Diversity Survey, alongside a clear road map for change.

Published: 29 October 2020

Photograph of a woman performing on a small stage, the lighting around her is blue with streaks of yellow - we can't see the audience.

Application Feedback and Guidance for the ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ fund

We've extended our grant application advice to now cover Developing Your Creative Practice applications, as well as continuing to offer advice on ACE National Lottery Project Grants.

Published: 26 October 2020

Photograph of a number of CDs threaded together and hung up as a beautiful decoration.

The MU and The Ivors Academy Welcome Government Inquiry into Music Streaming

The MU and The Ivors Academy have warmly welcomed today’s announcement of a Government inquiry into streaming in the music industry and, in particular, the economic impact music streaming is having on artists and the sustainability of the wider music industry.

Published: 15 October 2020

A white man in a wheelchair is indoors, performing in what appears to be his home on a keyboard, while leaning over to type something into his laptop.

Top Tips for Keeping Your Music Career Ticking Over During Covid-19

Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to BBC Music Introducing on Saturday night about the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, and ways that musicians can keep creating and working.

Published: 29 September 2020

A Guide to Applying for an ACE Project Grant

Jess Partridge, founder and editor of new music group In Stereo, provides invaluable advice for musicians applying for Arts Council England (ACE) Project Grant.

Published: 14 September 2020

Photograph of a film composer working at a computer with a musical keyboard under the other hand.

Sensoria Online Scoring Contest Announced

The SensoriaPro Scoring Contest is a unique opportunity for composers to create music to a film trailer/clip and receive feedback from a panel of industry experts.

Published: 14 September 2020

Join the MU and Ivors Academy for an #AskTheMU Fix Streaming Special

The MU is delighted to host a special #FixStreaming edition of its #AskTheMU Twitter Q&A with MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl and Ivors Academy CEO Graham Davies.

Published: 08 September 2020

Woman talking in a microphone, she appears to be recording something for a talk broadcast.

New Report Shows Women Underrepresented on UK Radio

Women are underrepresented in UK radio according to a new report that reveals 81% of songs in the Top 100 Radio Airplay chart feature men.

Published: 24 August 2020

A man producing electronic music in home studio

Historic Governance Changes at PRS for Music

The MU is delighted that important changes to the governance of PRS for Music have been voted through by its members.

Published: 19 August 2020

A Great Day in London: The 1962 Terence Donovan Jazz Musicians Photograph

Journalist Peter Vacher discusses the history and context of Terence Donovan’s famous 1962 photograph of London’s jazz scene.

Published: 13 August 2020

Graphic image with a black and white photograph of a woman singing into a microphone, bisected by two coloured squares and the text

Growing Pressure on the Government, Platforms and Major Labels to Fix Streaming Now

There have now been over 15,000 signatures on our petition – which we’re running with the Ivors Academy – calling on the Government to help us #FixStreaming and keep music alive.

Published: 13 August 2020

Close up of a spotlight on the empty stage with copy space

Calling the Government Out on Its Failure to Help Musicians

Our Head of Communications & Government Relations, Isabelle Gutierrez describes the “woefully inadequate,” response from the Government to protect musicians – and how we are lobbying against it.

Published: 06 August 2020

A Reflection on Make Music Day 2020

Looking back on this year's Make Music Day – a global celebration of music which took place last month – we examine how it still succeeded during a global pandemic, and where you can go to catch the highlights you may have missed.

Published: 04 August 2020

Photograph of a person holding a guitar and writing in a notebook

Proposed Changes to PRS for Music’s Governance

PRS for Music is proposing some significant governance changes which, in the opinion of the MU, could be beneficial to songwriters and composers.

Published: 24 July 2020

Photograph of three different musicians, with the text

Join for £1 Scheme Extended to Former MU Members

Former members who left the MU five or more years ago can now join again and pay just £1 for their first six months of MU membership.

Published: 22 July 2020

Third Round of PRS Foundation’s Sustaining Creativity Fund Opens to Support Black Musicians

This targeted round of funding recognises the Black music community is disproportionately impacted by Covid-19, and is open for applications from UK-based Black music creators from 16 July to 10 August.

Published: 21 July 2020

man with earphones and smartphone walking along city street and listening to podcast

Special Covid-19 Episodes of Elevate Podcast Released

Elevate Music and Help Musicians have teamed up to create three special episodes of the Elevate Music Podcast, exploring life for musicians during the pandemic.

Published: 21 July 2020

Photograph of a red MP3 player from the early '00s with headphones.

MP3 Turns 25 Years Old This Week

14 July marked 25 years since the file format was officially given its name. This week, music industry figures including our own Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl, reflect on the file that changed the music industry.

Published: 16 July 2020

The Government Endorses Industry-Led Guidance for Music Production

Music production guidance is now available to enable professional music production to restart with confidence and clarity.

Published: 10 July 2020

Photograph of musician performing on stage.

Take Action and Call for Vital Financial Support

Ask your MP to support a sector specific financial support package to protect our vital cultural assets – and the musicians who work in them.

Published: 01 July 2020

Photograph of a earbud earphones stuck to a bright background with a first-aid style sticking plaster

User Centric Model Support by Labour Party

We’re delighted that the user centric model of paying out streaming royalties has Labour Party support.

Published: 24 June 2020

Photograph of a stack of different multi coloured records

An Update on the Fix Streaming Campaign

Our Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl, and Crispin Hunt, Chair of the Ivors Academy, outline the reasons behind the organisations’ joint campaign seeking a review of streaming royalties.

Published: 17 June 2020

Photograph of a coffee cup with a blurred background of a coffee shop

Catch up With the Special #FixStreaming Edition of Music & Coffee

Music & Coffee hosted a special edition live-steam focusing on the #FixSteaming campaign, and it’s now available to watch on YouTube.

Published: 17 June 2020

Photo of man on sofa, writing on sheet of music, an acoustic guitar propped nearby

Composers and Songwriters Face Growing Concerns for the Future

MU Live and Music Writers Official, Kelly Wood, discusses the “real fear that writers and composers will be suffering from the effects of this lockdown far beyond the reopening of other sectors across the industry”.

Published: 15 June 2020

a mother holding her daughter on her shoulders

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

Pregnancy rights charity, Pregnant then Screwed, with support from Doughty Street Chambers and law firm Leigh Day, is threatening legal proceedings against the Chancellor for discriminating against women in the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

Published: 12 June 2020

We Will be Participating in #TheShowMustBePaused in Solidarity With our Black Members

The MU stands with our Black members and all Black communities against all forms of racism, violence and discrimination. When we say “behind every musician”, we mean it.

Published: 01 June 2020

Photo of a woman playing drums in isolation

Self Employed Income Support Scheme Extended

We welcome the Government’s announcement that the Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will now open for a second round of applications in August.

Published: 29 May 2020

Photograph and graphic design combined campaign banner, with text reading

Keep Music Alive Petition to Fix Streaming Gains Extensive Media Coverage

On Monday 11 May we joined forces with the Ivors Academy to launch a campaign to Keep Music Alive, starting with a petition calling on the Government to fix streaming now. And now it’s gaining traction across the media.

Published: 13 May 2020

We’re Launching a Campaign to Fix Streaming Now With The Ivors Academy

We’ve joined forces with the The Ivors Academy at a time of crisis for tens of thousands of music creators, to form a new alliance that will campaign to Keep Music Alive.

Published: 11 May 2020

an illustration for Broken Record appeal featuring a person at their home full of music records

Announcing the #BrokenRecord Appeal and Festival

The Broken Record Appeal aims to support every kind of music creator in need as a result of Coronavirus. MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl discusses the Broken Record Appeal and the associated Festival planned for 24th May.

Published: 11 May 2020

Keep Music Alive poster featuring a female singer performing on stage

Show Your Support for the Campaign to Fix Streaming and Keep Music Alive

The MU is working in partnership with the Ivors Academy to keep music alive, starting with fixing streaming.

Published: 11 May 2020

8 Tips on Using Radio to Boost Your Music Career from Isolation

Shell Zenner, a radio presenter, producer, and new-music obsessive talks us through how you can best use radio to your advantage during the coronavirus outbreak, generating income, reaching new audiences and building your presence.

Published: 17 April 2020

Millicent Stephenson with a saxophone and mic

Develop Your Music Business from Home with ‘Success Beyond the Score’ Podcast

This podcast series from saxophonist, musician, teacher, songwriter and entrepreneur Millicent Stephenson looks at ways that musicians can move ahead in the music business.

Published: 16 April 2020

Planning for Recovery: How We Will Get Music Up, Running and Excelling Again

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge address how, “Whilst the immediate concern has to be doing everything we can to stay safe and well and cope with the seismic financial loss, it’s also important to plan for a recovery.”

Published: 16 April 2020

Anna Neale dressed in green dress, standing on a beach with a guitar

Music as a Way of Getting Through

Singer-songwriter Anna Neale tells us how, "Music is one the greatest expressions of human identity. It's what's getting a lot of people through this crisis. Hold on to that, reach out, and ask."

Published: 14 April 2020

Making marks on a sheet music in front of a piano

New Sustaining Creativity Fund from PRS Foundation

PRS Foundation is offering grants to support artists, songwriters and composers in creating, developing and music making – however that looks in our current times.

Published: 06 April 2020

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

MU Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez: “Our focus at the moment is on lobbying for members who are currently ineligible for either of the Government’s assistance schemes for employed and self-employed workers.”

Published: 03 April 2020

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Arts Council England (ACE) will be opening round one of applications for the fund on 9 April 2020, providing creative practitioners affected by the coronavirus outbreak with grants of up to £2,500.

Published: 03 April 2020

Empty stage with music instruments and lights on

Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves

A reminder that limited company directors can receive assistance through the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). This may assist some members who would otherwise fall through the cracks of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

Published: 02 April 2020

Cookies on Musicians' Union

Use your voice

Popular searches

Songwriting and Composer News

Have Your Say in Select Committee Inquiry on Music Streaming

UK Music Unveils “Game-Changing” Plan to Boost Diversity

Application Feedback and Guidance for the ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ fund

The MU and The Ivors Academy Welcome Government Inquiry into Music Streaming

Top Tips for Keeping Your Music Career Ticking Over During Covid-19

A Guide to Applying for an ACE Project Grant

Sensoria Online Scoring Contest Announced

Join the MU and Ivors Academy for an #AskTheMU Fix Streaming Special

New Report Shows Women Underrepresented on UK Radio

Historic Governance Changes at PRS for Music

A Great Day in London: The 1962 Terence Donovan Jazz Musicians Photograph

Growing Pressure on the Government, Platforms and Major Labels to Fix Streaming Now

Calling the Government Out on Its Failure to Help Musicians

A Reflection on Make Music Day 2020

Proposed Changes to PRS for Music’s Governance

Join for £1 Scheme Extended to Former MU Members

Third Round of PRS Foundation’s Sustaining Creativity Fund Opens to Support Black Musicians

Special Covid-19 Episodes of Elevate Podcast Released

MP3 Turns 25 Years Old This Week

The Government Endorses Industry-Led Guidance for Music Production

Take Action and Call for Vital Financial Support

User Centric Model Support by Labour Party

An Update on the Fix Streaming Campaign

Catch up With the Special #FixStreaming Edition of Music & Coffee

Composers and Songwriters Face Growing Concerns for the Future

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

We Will be Participating in #TheShowMustBePaused in Solidarity With our Black Members

Self Employed Income Support Scheme Extended

Keep Music Alive Petition to Fix Streaming Gains Extensive Media Coverage

We’re Launching a Campaign to Fix Streaming Now With The Ivors Academy

Announcing the #BrokenRecord Appeal and Festival

Show Your Support for the Campaign to Fix Streaming and Keep Music Alive

8 Tips on Using Radio to Boost Your Music Career from Isolation

Develop Your Music Business from Home with ‘Success Beyond the Score’ Podcast

Planning for Recovery: How We Will Get Music Up, Running and Excelling Again

Music as a Way of Getting Through

New Sustaining Creativity Fund from PRS Foundation

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves