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We’ve Launched a New Partnership With the Royal College of Organists

Together with the Royal College of Organists (RCO), we’ve announced a new partnership to deliver services and support for organists and choral directors.

Published: 02 June 2021 | 12:39 PM
Photograph of the inside of a large pipe organ.
“Through this partnership with the RCO we’ll help organists and choral directors pursue their passions,” Photo credit: Shutterstock

The partnership will see us working together with the RCO on new and existing services, creating an integrated package of support covering everything from learning and accreditation to career development, legal advice, financial matters, and more.

The new arrangement includes a joint membership offer through which full members of the RCO can join the MU with a 50% discount on the annual subscription.

Supporting organists and choral directors to fulfil their professional potential

RCO Chief Executive Sir Andrew Parmley said:

“When the Royal College of Organists was founded in 1864 it was for the purpose of elevating and advancing the professional status of organists. It is very much in that spirit that we are excited to be entering into partnership with the Musician’s Union.

“The working life of organists and choral directors takes many forms: it can be full-time, part-time or occasional; it can be as cathedral organists, directors of music, parish organists, music teachers, recitalists, and so much more.

“By entering this partnership with the MU we are creating a single offer to give all our members the complete range of services and support that they might need to fulfil their professional potential.”

Strengthening our partnership

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge said: “We’re proud of the MU’s collaborative spirit, and its mission to support musicians across the UK’s varied musical landscape.

“For over 128 years we’ve stood behind musicians and that’s why through this partnership with the RCO we’ll help organists and choral directors pursue their passions with a peace of mind that only MU membership gives.

“To ensure their professional growth Joint Members will have access to our numerous benefits including legal and financial advice, a vast network of musicians, and of course public liability insurance. Moreover, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with the RCO.”

Find out more about joining our different joint membership schemes.

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.

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  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
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