skip to main content

Southbank WOW Festival Orchestra, London

MU members have expressed concern that no payment is offered for the Southbank WOW Festival Orchestra project. The Southbank Centre’s Music Director, Gillian Moore, has written to us clarifying the offer and remuneration for professional musicians.

Published: 06 March 2015 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:28 PM

A number of MU members have expressed concern that no payment is offered for this project, which culminates in a performance at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday 8 March.

The Southbank Centre’s Music Director, Gillian Moore, has written to us clarifying that the orchestra is intended as a learning experience for amateur musicians and students, and any professional musicians invited to take part have been paid appropriately.

She writes:

“The WOW Orchestra is a learning/developmental opportunity aimed at students and amateur musicians.

The musicians who sign up for the WOW orchestra are offered specific development opportunities. This year, these include:

1. The opportunity to attend a women conductors' workshop with Marin Alsop and a Q and A session with Marin on Leadership;

2. The addition (for the first time and by request of orchestra members from the past two years) of some paid professional musicians with positions in London orchestras to the WOW orchestra, providing 'side by side' benefits;

3. Surgeries with these professional musicians;

4. Further opportunities throughout the year, including more training/networking sessions as well as free tickets and access to rehearsals.

Please be assured that Southbank Centre, as a major employer of musicians and partner of four Resident Orchestras and one Associate Orchestra, is totally committed to the fair remuneration of musicians. We are also committed to training opportunities through our programmes such as Voicelab, Tomorrow's Warriors, Young Orchestra for London, our partnerships with UK Conservatoires and the National Youth Orchestra.”

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Close up of legs running on a treadmill.

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

Read more about Discounted Gym Membership Now Part of MU Benefits
Naomi Pohl on stage addressing Delegates at Conference.

“Collective Action Works”: MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl Addresses Delegate Conference 2025

Last week marked the Union’s 41st biennial Delegate Conference, and the largest attended in our history. We’ll be sharing videos and highlights soon, but in the meantime, you can catch up on MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl’s opening speech, outlining the Union’s work over the past two years.

Published: 31 July 2025

Read more about “Collective Action Works”: MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl Addresses Delegate Conference 2025