Latest News

Photograph of a young child practicing on a drum kit, we can only see the top of the child's head, and the drum kit.

Save the Date: MU Education Conference 15-16 October

The MU is delighted to announce an in-person Education Conference, to be held on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 October in Dudley.

Coronavirus

Photograph of a young adult walking with a violin case strapped to their back against an urban backdrop.

TUC General Secretary Highlights “Outrageous” HE Funding Cuts in MU Conference Speech

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady sent a strong message of solidarity and support to MU members at the 39th Musicians’ Union Delegate Conference.

Photograph of the houses of parliament in the bright sunshine.

Jo Stevens MP Reaffirms Labour’s Commitment to Music at MU Delegate Conference Address

Jo Stevens MP shared a powerful message with MU members at the 39th Musicians’ Union Biennial Delegate Conference.

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Second day of MU Delegate Conference

Topics covered on the second day of the MU Delegate Conference included the climate emergency and how the MU can contribute to sustainability, HE Funding Cuts, Fix Streaming, our Safe Space initiative, and more.

Photograph from the MU Conference in 2019, focusing on a large white speakers podium with

First Day of MU Delegate Conference

Today saw the first day of the MU Delegate Conference 2021, which for the first time ever is being held largely online due to the pandemic.

Woman applies hand sanitizer to a child wearing a facemask and a rainbow coloured t-shirt.

Impact of Re-opening in England on Clinically Extremely Vulnerable Members

We fully support We Shall Not Be Removed’s seven inclusive principles, and Art Council England’s statement on inclusive recovery – and wish to state our continued commitment to supporting members and lobbying the Government for better support and clearer guidance.

See all coronavirus news

Working overseas

The MU's Joint Open Letter to Department of Transport to Protect Touring in the EU

The MU has warned that Government proposals on haulage risks bringing cost effective, accessible touring for small bands to a ‘full stop’.

Tankus the Henge - Crédit - Sophie Hervet

Touring in Europe in a Post-Brexit Age

Tankus The Henge are one of the first UK bands to brave the post-Brexit and mid-Covid EU touring circuit. Henry Yates asked pianist and frontman Jaz Delorean about the challenges, pleasures and pitfall.

Photograph of an airplane flying up and through a darkening sky, with sun beams escaping through the clouds

Video Explainers on MIC and Border Crossings Released

We’ve now released a recording of the webinars and Q&A session we put on, explaining the latest guidance on MIC, and how to travel with musical instruments containing CITES-listed controlled endangered species.

Photograph of the clock face of Big Ben against a stormy looking pink and grey sky.

Brexit Lobbying Update: A Session Characterised by Tension

In this Brexit update we discuss Lord Frost’s first appearance at the DCMS Select Committee, and our plans for moving forward.

Photograph of musician Lizzy Hardingham, she is laughing and looking past the camera in a brightly coloured jacket,

Why I Joined: Lizzy Hardingham

Singer-songwriter and folk musician Lizzy Hardingham discusses why she’s glad she was pointed in the MU’s direction.

See all international news

#ComposersAgainstBuyouts

Calling all media composers

Get a fair share of the value you create. Back the Composers Against Buyouts campaign.

Find out more See all Campaigns

Equalities

Photograph of a young woman listening to music off her phone on the bus.

MU Moves to Support Girls I Rate as Part of UK Music 10-Point Plan

As part of the 10-Point Plan published by UK Music’s Diversity Taskforce last October, the MU will be supporting equality movement organisation Girls I Rate in their work towards a music industry where women can thrive.

A young musician is playfully holding up the seperated parts of a bassoon, looking through one end of one piece.

ABRSM Announces Enriched Woodwind Syllabus Which Aims to Inspire Curiosity of Learners

A new, enriched woodwind syllabus designed to inspire the curiosity of learners and spark interest in music from all corners of the world and by people of all backgrounds has been launched by ABRSM.

A woman is looking in the mirror and adjusting her hearing aid in the mirror.

Government Response to Consultation on Sexual Harassment Welcomed

The Government has responded to the consultation on sexual harassment with a number of commitments, and the MU wishes to congratulate everyone involved in making this happen, including MU members who contributed to the consultation.

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MU Signs TUC Letter Calling For Urgent Reset in The Government’s Approach to LGBT+ Rights

Together with over 38 other unions and the TUC, we have written to equalities minister Liz Truss to call for an urgent reset in the government’s approach to LGBT+ rights.

Second day of MU Delegate Conference

Learn more

Career

Photograph of a persons hand turning the tuning peg on a guitar, in the background is wild countryside.

Scottish Classical Music Green Guide Launched by the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group

Set up during the pandemic, the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group (SCSG) is putting the welfare of our planet in the spotlight with the launch of its first ever Scottish Classical Music Green Guide, and the MU is proud to have contributed.

MU Moves to Support Girls I Rate as Part of UK Music 10-Point Plan

ABRSM Announces Enriched Woodwind Syllabus Which Aims to Inspire Curiosity of Learners

A new, enriched woodwind syllabus designed to inspire the curiosity of learners and spark interest in music from all corners of the world and by people of all backgrounds has been launched by ABRSM.

Photograph of a number of travel crates ready to pack concert equipment in for a tour.

Piping Centre to Give Free Talk on Post-Brexit Working for Musicians

The National Piping Centre in Scotland will be running a free online-workshop, explaining the new Brexit requirements, on Wednesday 11 August at 2:00 pm.

TUC General Secretary Highlights “Outrageous” HE Funding Cuts in MU Conference Speech

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady sent a strong message of solidarity and support to MU members at the 39th Musicians’ Union Delegate Conference.

Explore career hub

#FixStreaming

TUC General Secretary Highlights “Outrageous” HE Funding Cuts in MU Conference Speech

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady sent a strong message of solidarity and support to MU members at the 39th Musicians’ Union Delegate Conference.

Jo Stevens MP Reaffirms Labour’s Commitment to Music at MU Delegate Conference Address

Jo Stevens MP shared a powerful message with MU members at the 39th Musicians’ Union Biennial Delegate Conference.

The MU Welcomes “Revolutionary” DCMS Select Committee Report Into Music Streaming

The Musicians’ Union, The Ivors Academy and #BrokenRecord Campaign welcome the “revolutionary” Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Economics of music streaming report.

Photo of the Houses of Parliament in London, taken from over the bridge in black and white colours.

New Bill Calls For a Better Deal For Musicians and Songwriters From Streaming

MU member Kevin Brennan MP’s Private Members Bill, calling for a better deal for musicians and songwriters, is backed by eleven cross party MPs including Damian Green and Esther McVey.

Photograph of a microphone stood against a fairly plain background, in black and white.

The Ivors Academy CEO Graham Davies on The Value of The Song

In this blog, Graham Davies discusses the Fix Streaming campaign, which has been running since the start of Covid-19, and asks the question – if streaming is a song economy, why is the songwriter the last and least to be paid?

See all #FixStreaming campaign news

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Latest News

Save the Date: MU Education Conference 15-16 October

Coronavirus

TUC General Secretary Highlights “Outrageous” HE Funding Cuts in MU Conference Speech

Jo Stevens MP Reaffirms Labour’s Commitment to Music at MU Delegate Conference Address

Second day of MU Delegate Conference

First Day of MU Delegate Conference

Impact of Re-opening in England on Clinically Extremely Vulnerable Members

Working overseas

The MU's Joint Open Letter to Department of Transport to Protect Touring in the EU

Touring in Europe in a Post-Brexit Age

Video Explainers on MIC and Border Crossings Released

Brexit Lobbying Update: A Session Characterised by Tension

Why I Joined: Lizzy Hardingham

Calling all media composers

Equalities

MU Moves to Support Girls I Rate as Part of UK Music 10-Point Plan

ABRSM Announces Enriched Woodwind Syllabus Which Aims to Inspire Curiosity of Learners

Government Response to Consultation on Sexual Harassment Welcomed

MU Signs TUC Letter Calling For Urgent Reset in The Government’s Approach to LGBT+ Rights

Second day of MU Delegate Conference

Career

Scottish Classical Music Green Guide Launched by the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group

MU Moves to Support Girls I Rate as Part of UK Music 10-Point Plan

ABRSM Announces Enriched Woodwind Syllabus Which Aims to Inspire Curiosity of Learners

Piping Centre to Give Free Talk on Post-Brexit Working for Musicians

TUC General Secretary Highlights “Outrageous” HE Funding Cuts in MU Conference Speech

#FixStreaming

TUC General Secretary Highlights “Outrageous” HE Funding Cuts in MU Conference Speech

Jo Stevens MP Reaffirms Labour’s Commitment to Music at MU Delegate Conference Address

The MU Welcomes “Revolutionary” DCMS Select Committee Report Into Music Streaming

New Bill Calls For a Better Deal For Musicians and Songwriters From Streaming

The Ivors Academy CEO Graham Davies on The Value of The Song