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Have Your Say on Streaming: DCMS Launches Survey for Songwriters

If you have attended a songwriting session for a major label since September 2025, the DCMS wants to hear from you. Your feedback will help evaluate measures introduced following the UK streaming inquiry and strengthen the case for fair pay for music creators.

Published: 15 October 2026

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MU to Host Sustainable Careers Roundtable at Sensoria Pro in Sheffield

The MU are hosting a roundtable discussion, ‘The Long Play: Building a Sustainable Career in Music’, at Sensoria Pro — a conference exploring innovation across music and the moving image — in Sheffield on Friday 23 October. Members can also receive a 25% discount on tickets.

Published: 15 October 2026

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Watch FIM International Freelance Conference Live

MU members can watch the FIM International Freelance Conference live online on 21-22 October 2026. Tune in to our livestream to hear international speakers discuss pay, rights, organising, discrimination, portfolio careers and the future of freelance work.

Published: 14 October 2026

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CIISA Launches Confidential Reporting Service for Creative Industries

Workers and organisations across the music, theatre, film and TV sectors can now report concerns of harassment, discrimination, victimisation and other harmful practices through CIISA's new confidential reporting service.

Published: 13 October 2026

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Equality, diversity & inclusion

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New REMEL Report Highlights Barriers Facing Black and South Asian-Led Music Events in London

Black Lives in Music has published the REMEL (Race Equality in Music Event Licensing) report, produced with the Greater London Authority, Metropolitan Police Service, UK Music, LIVE and the MU.

Published: 15 October 2026

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‘Measuring Minutes’: Taking Stock of Representation in Global Orchestral Programming with Donne Women in Music

Donne Women in Music’s latest report reveals how underrepresented composers receive a smaller share of orchestral programme time than their share of programmed works, highlighting persistent inequalities in global repertoire.

Published: 14 October 2026

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MU Members’ Assembly Elects Chair Team For Two-Year Term

Sarah Sayeed and Ben Lunn have been elected as Co-Chairs of the MU Members’ Assembly for a two-year term.

Published: 09 October 2026

MU Member Wins Trades Union Congress Activism Award

Congratulations to Lynn Henderson, who won the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Youth Awards at Congress 2026!

Published: 29 September 2026

A big group of people from various unions holding up flags and placards with 'Labour Unions' and 'Solidarity Forever'

Labour Unions Share Messages of Solidarity With Trans Labour Members

The 11 trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party published a statement of support with the trans and non-binary community.

Published: 28 September 2026

Careers news & opportunities

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MU Launches New Guidance for MDs and AMDs in Theatre

The MU is pleased to launch two practical guides for Musical Directors (MDs) and Assistant Musical Directors (AMDs) working in theatre, covering key responsibilities, standard terms and conditions, and practical advice.

Published: 10 April 2026

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Lessons from the MU’s Courageous Conversations Workshop

The music industry can be a difficult environment in which to have the conversations that you want and need in the workplace, but a one-day course hosted by the MU has offered a way forward.

Published: 18 December 2025

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Exploring Neck Pain Through the Feldenkrais Method with Emma Alter

Originally posted on her blog, professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter discusses how our neck and spine work together. The rest of this year’s Feldenkrais sessions will follow the theme of ‘Freeing Your Neck’, and are free for MU members.

Published: 18 November 2025

Man with his hand on his ear, listening carefully to music through his over ear headphones, in front of an open laptop.

How to Boost Your Chances of Getting Your Music Reviewed

The demise of print media and the rise of online magazines has prompted some MU members to question how best to submit your music for review. Here are some key tips on who to pitch to, how to find them and what to send.

Published: 11 June 2025

Four hands holding up signs of logos: YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Digital Strategy for Musicians New to Social Media

Promoting music on social media can be a challenge for musicians who are not digital natives. But by following a few key steps, artists can create a dedicated community of fans.

Published: 30 May 2025

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Membership

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Discounted Gym Membership Now Part of MU Benefits

Following the success of our discounted hotel room benefit, we’re now offering MU members exclusive access to reduced-rate gym memberships with The Gym Group — one of the UK’s leading fitness providers.

Published: 01 August 2025

Four panel members sitting on stage with microphones in front of a live audience.

Fair Play on Tour: Protecting Your Health and Wellbeing as a Live Musician

The MU hosted a panel at The Exchange in Bristol to discuss health and wellbeing for live musicians.

Published: 17 May 2024

DJ Paulette on a stage behind some DJ decks.

MU Member DJ Paulette Named DJ of the Year at Northern Music Awards

Manchester based DJ Paulette is an MU North of England Regional Committee member, and has been named ‘DJ of the year’ at the inaugural Northern Music Awards.

Published: 29 April 2024

Jasdeep smiling holding his award in front of the purple RPS Awards backdrop.

MU Member Jasdeep Singh Degun Makes History at Royal Philharmonic Society Awards

Jasdeep is the first sitar player to win a Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Award in its 35 year history.

Published: 27 March 2024

School age kid learning guitar with private teacher

MU Education Section Reaches 10,000 Members

As of November, the number of members in the MU’s Education Section is now over 10,000 – approximately a one-third increase since 2020, demonstrating the importance of teaching and education to MU members.

Published: 24 November 2022

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Musicians' Health & Wellbeing

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Dr Anna Bull: Putting Young People’s Voices at the Heart of Music Education

Originally written for Music Teacher magazine, Dr Anna Bull explores why safeguarding is about more than policies and procedures, and how empowering young people to find their voice can help create safer music education, as set out in the MU’s Experiences of Harm and Risk in Music Education Guide.

Published: 17 September 2026

A classroom, where people in the background are out of focus playing acoustic guitar, the neck of a guitar is in the foreground close up and in focus.

MU Welcomes New Guidance on Protecting Children and Educators From AI-Generated Image Abuse

The new advice highlights the risks of sharing images online and offers practical steps to help keep children, young people and adults safe.

Published: 04 June 2026

Jenny is wearing a rainbow hat and two MU members are wearing Union branded t-shirts, carrying flags and a keyboard.

‘At the Heart of Democracy’: MU Marks IDAHOBIT 2026

Ahead of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17, the MU reflects on a year of member stories, activism and solidarity across the music industry, highlighting the importance of LGBTQ+ voices within the Union and beyond.

Published: 14 May 2026

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Three in Four Performing Arts Professionals Face Career-Impacting Health Issues Says New BAPAM Report

A new BAPAM Impact Report reveals that 75% of performing arts professionals will face a career-impacting health issue, as demand for specialist support reaches record levels. The MU is among the organisations supporting BAPAM’s work to improve health provision across the sector.

Published: 13 May 2026

Close up of someone playing guitar, their hands both on the fretboard.

Stroke and Musicians: When Precision Matters

In this guest blog to mark Stroke Awareness Month, Dr Finola Ryan, Consultant Occupational Physician and BAPAM Medical Director, explores how strokes can uniquely affect musicians and what support is available to help them return to performing.

Published: 01 May 2026

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Latest News & Features

Campaigns

Have Your Say on Streaming: DCMS Launches Survey for Songwriters

MU to Host Sustainable Careers Roundtable at Sensoria Pro in Sheffield

Watch FIM International Freelance Conference Live

CIISA Launches Confidential Reporting Service for Creative Industries

Equality, diversity & inclusion

New REMEL Report Highlights Barriers Facing Black and South Asian-Led Music Events in London

‘Measuring Minutes’: Taking Stock of Representation in Global Orchestral Programming with Donne Women in Music

MU Members’ Assembly Elects Chair Team For Two-Year Term

MU Member Wins Trades Union Congress Activism Award

Labour Unions Share Messages of Solidarity With Trans Labour Members

Careers news & opportunities

MU Launches New Guidance for MDs and AMDs in Theatre

Lessons from the MU’s Courageous Conversations Workshop

Exploring Neck Pain Through the Feldenkrais Method with Emma Alter

How to Boost Your Chances of Getting Your Music Reviewed

Digital Strategy for Musicians New to Social Media

Membership

Discounted Gym Membership Now Part of MU Benefits

Fair Play on Tour: Protecting Your Health and Wellbeing as a Live Musician

MU Member DJ Paulette Named DJ of the Year at Northern Music Awards

MU Member Jasdeep Singh Degun Makes History at Royal Philharmonic Society Awards

MU Education Section Reaches 10,000 Members

Musicians' Health & Wellbeing

Dr Anna Bull: Putting Young People’s Voices at the Heart of Music Education

MU Welcomes New Guidance on Protecting Children and Educators From AI-Generated Image Abuse

‘At the Heart of Democracy’: MU Marks IDAHOBIT 2026

Three in Four Performing Arts Professionals Face Career-Impacting Health Issues Says New BAPAM Report

Stroke and Musicians: When Precision Matters