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Benefits of MU Membership

We’re here to help employed, self-employed, and freelance musicians in every area of the UK music industry – whoever you are, whatever your background, wherever you are based, and however you make music. Everyone is welcome within the community.

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Benefits of MU Membership

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Take care of you

Read more about Take care of you

Make your voice heard

Read more about Make your voice heard
Insurance cover and more

Protect yourself and your gear

Protect yourself and your gear

Our membership ensures that you, and your equipment and instruments, are covered for any potential accidents that may arise

Avoid legal wrangles

Have the experts on call

Have the experts on call
Receive the appreciation you’ve earned

Get the recognition you deserve

Get the recognition you deserve

From fair pay and conditions, to getting credit for your hard work, we work to ensure our members receive the acknowledgement and appreciation they’ve earned

Professional development and growth

Unlock new career opportunities

Unlock new career opportunities

MU membership provides you with opportunities for professional development and growth. Build a successful career by making the most of advice, support, networks, and training.

  • Get guidance for your career. Wherever you are in your career, get specialist advice on professional growth, and access careers guidance packs on all areas of professional development.  
  • Develop your skills and knowledge. You’ll have access to online and in-person events, such as talks from specialist speakers and networking, and training on various topics, from music specific skills, to business and digital learning, and more.
  • Expand your network. With our membership, you’ll be given a wide variety of opportunities to meet like-minded people – connections that could lead to future work, friendships, partnerships, and more. 
  • Receive discounts and special offers. Our members benefit from exclusive discounts and special offers for a range of products and services, from discounted Enhanced DBS Checks to discounted bedrooms in selected London-based hotels and more. Browse all of our member only offers (log in required). 

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Steve Pearce

I’m a great believer and a fan of the MU

Steve PearceSession bassist
Maxine Kwok-Adams

As an orchestral musician you know that for any problems or injuries, the MU is there to give you a helping hand or advice.

Maxine Kwok-AdamsFirst violin with the LSO
Steve Sidwell

It’s so important that we have a body that represents all musicians. We need a voice and people to negotiate on our behalf, especially now.

Steve SidwellRenowned arranger and composer

It’s vital to join the MU…if you want to get the issues that concern you looked at and addressed and fought for with some kind of solidarity.

Tom RobinsonSinger-songwriter, radio presenter and LGBT rights activist

Jazz is a live music art form and the MU has always championed that.

Zara McFarlaneMulti-award winning jazz singer-songwriter
Health, safety and wellbeing

Take care of you

Take care of you

Make the most of partnerships, tools, and resources that help you look after and optimise your mental and physical health and wellbeing

Get involved with Union work

Make your voice heard

Make your voice heard

The MU is a democratic organisation that represents its members’ needs and points of view. Get involved and make your opinion count

Be a change maker

Campaign for a fairer music industry

Campaign for a fairer music industry

Take an active part in change-making. Join MU campaigns and help us to lobby decision makers at national and local level.

  • Improve work for all musicians. Join MU campaigns that seek to save jobs, improve pay, and make working conditions better for all musicians in all types of music in the UK.
  • Protect important organisations. Stand with the MU to protect public services and organisations that belong to us, like the single largest employer of musicians in the UK – the BBC. 
  • Make technology work for you. Take part in campaigns that keep music alive, such as fixing streaming, and ensuring that new technologies like AI work for, not against, creative workers. 
  • Be represented in lobbying. We lobby the government on behalf of our members on issues of relevance, such as arts funding, better copyright laws, and to keep musicians working in Europe.

Explore our campaigns

Make it Happen

Membership

Under£23 per month

Current and returning members can access the full range of union benefits by paying monthly, quarterly or annually. You can pay by card, Direct Debit, or a hybrid payment option.

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Disabled musicians' membership

Under£14 per month

Choose this rate if you're a disabled musician and aren't eligible for other membership categories. Find out more about our eligibility guidance and how the MU membership can benefit you.

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Joint membership

£17 per month

If you're a current member of a partner organisation you can join the MU at a reduced rate. Find out more.

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Student membership

£24 per year

Join at a reduced price if you're in full-time or part-time education. Annual card payment only. Find out more about MU Student Membership.

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Join for a pound

£1 for the first six months

Join for £1 and get the first six months for free. You'll have access to the full range of membership benefits. Find out more about the offer and eligibility.

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