skip to main content

Your #MUmoment: Alexandra Raikhlina

Orchestral musician Alexandra Raikhlina (Royal Northern Sinfonia) shares her career highlights as part of the Musician Behind the Moment campaign.

Published: 31 July 2018 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:29 PM

Orchestral musician Alexandra Raikhlina (Royal Northern Sinfonia) shares her career highlights as part of the Musician Behind the Moment campaign.

“My #MUmoment would be performing at the Oxford May Music Festival with Jack Liebeck, Thomas Carroll, Julian Bliss and Gemma Rosefield. We received a very warm response. It was inspiring and an incredibly enriching experience on a professional level.

“Another is performing with the Britten Sinfonia and Patricia Kopatchinskaja. People were bowled over and Patricia became an inspiration to me from that moment.

“And Royal Northern Sinfonia performing Beethoven 5 with Thomas Zehetmair. We received a standing ovation. I have endless respect for Thomas.”

What’s your #MUmoment?

Share a moment you’ve been a part of using the hashtag #MUmoment or email orchestral@theMU.org

Already told us your story?

MU members are behind many of the moments you remember forever.

Whether that’s Maxine on the Star Wars soundtrack with the London Symphony Orchestra, Baluji and the British Paraorchestra at London 2012, or Claire witnessing a hard of hearing child experience music for the first time.

Explore their stories and spread the word.

Like what you read? Keep up to date with the latest news and campaigns from the MU on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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

Three wooden blocks with red icons painted on them.

MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise

A new EU customs charge on low-value parcels is creating additional costs and administrative challenges for musicians selling merchandise directly to fans in Europe. The MU will work to ensure musicians affected by the new legislation are represented at a stakeholder consultation later this year.

Published: 31 July 2026

Read more about MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise
A brick wall with the flags of Spain and Gibraltar painted on it, overlapping each other.

Spain-Gibraltar Border Changes: What the New Agreement Means for Musicians

New arrangements between Gibraltar and Spain will remove routine border checks for people crossing by land. While the agreement does not change existing rights to work in Spain or the EU, any time spent in Gibraltar will count towards musicians’ 90-day allowance for the Schengen area.

Published: 30 July 2026

Read more about Spain-Gibraltar Border Changes: What the New Agreement Means for Musicians
A pink sign being held up that says

Music Qualifications Reform Debated in House of Lords

Peers from across the political spectrum raised concerns about the Government’s proposed reforms to level 3 music qualifications, with ministers confirming that existing qualifications will remain in place until at least 2030 and announcing a new creative advisory board to help shape the reforms.

Published: 28 July 2026

Read more about Music Qualifications Reform Debated in House of Lords