News & Stories for Musicians

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Scottish Women Encouraged to Complete Survey on Sexual Harassment

Women across the Scottish music scene are encouraged to complete POWA’s survey – to shape their work to better protect and support women across the arts.

Published: 01 December 2020

Jess Gillam with her saxophone on the beach

Jess Gillam: Bringing the Saxophone to the Forefront of Classical Music

Saxophonist Jess Gillam has been hailed by classical music critics since her scintillating performance at the Proms.

Published: 29 November 2020

Life in the LSO: First Violin Maxine Kwok-Adams on Her Orchestral Career

With her dynamic style and vibrant Twitter feed Maxine Kwok-Adams defies expectations of what an orchestral musician should be. Here she discusses her dream job with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO).

Published: 28 November 2020

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Make Misogyny History

MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at the role misogyny plays and creating safe workplaces for women.

Published: 25 November 2020

Discrimination Against Women in SEISS to go Under Judicial Review

Campaign organisation Pregnant Then Screwed have pointed out that self-employed women who have taken maternity leave between 2016 and 2019 will miss out in the calculation of their SEISS entitlement

Published: 10 November 2020

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UK Music Unveils “Game-Changing” Plan to Boost Diversity

Campaigning and lobbying group UK Music – of which the MU is a part – has released the results of its 2020 Workforce Diversity Survey, alongside a clear road map for change.

Published: 29 October 2020

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ABRSM Takes Action to Diversify their Syllabi

ABRSM have updated their Diversity and Inclusion programme to commit to a number of actions, including transforming their syllabus and commissioning new composers – following an open letter from the MU calling for action.

Published: 28 October 2020

Photograph of Millicent Stephenson, she is wearing white against a white background whilst holding out a microphone and smiling.

The Journey of a Menopausal Musician

Multi-award winning saxophonist and MU Executive Committee member Millicent Stephenson shares her experiences, ahead of World Menopause Day 18 October.

Published: 15 October 2020

Photograph of an audience at what appears to be a music concert. The stage is blurred, and there are bright lights shining out across a crowd who stand with raised arms.

Guide to Creating Your Own Access Rider Released

Arts commissioning program, We Are Unlimited, have released a valuable document on creating a rider to communicate all of your access needs in one place.

Published: 01 October 2020

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The Hub to Hold Free Day of Events to Support Mental Health

Creative consultancy, The Hub, are marking World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10 October, by holding a day of free online events.

Published: 01 October 2020

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Online Event Examining the History of Racism in British Music Open to All

The event, which will involve a screening of 'The RE:IMI UK Music Industry And Racism' video and presentations by music industry organisation representatives, will run online on Monday 28 September.

Published: 25 September 2020

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Brexit – where are we now?

Brexit is back on the agenda in Parliament this week as the Government brought in new legislation, in the form of the Internal Market Bill. What does this mean for you? MU Head of Communications and Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez takes a look.

Published: 18 September 2020

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Parents and Carers Encouraged to Take Survey on Family Life During Covid-19

Campaigning organisation Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) are investigating the impact of Covid-19 on people with parenting and caring responsibilities – help them gather more information by completing this brief survey.

Published: 18 September 2020

Photograph of an audience, sat looking over on to a stage.

Looking to Reopen on a Larger Scale, a Lobbying Update

Our Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez discusses how the MU is backing Government explorations into lessening social distancing for the live sector, and a moonshot audience-testing plan.

Published: 17 September 2020

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Resources for World Suicide Prevention Day

Thursday 10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day. Many useful resources have been shared on twitter, and below is a round-up that some members may find useful.

Published: 10 September 2020

Examining the Values We Perform: Rule, Britannia!

Linton Stephens, Chair of the MU Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, discusses “Rule, Britannia”, how traditions must be examined, and what it means to align with British values.

Published: 01 September 2020

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SEISS and Me: One Members Experience of Covid-19 Scheme Inequality

Member and orchestral, theatre and chamber musician Louise Braithwaite discusses her experience of claiming the SEISS grant and the inequalities contained by the Government’s Covid schemes.

Published: 28 August 2020

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New Report Shows Women Underrepresented on UK Radio

Women are underrepresented in UK radio according to a new report that reveals 81% of songs in the Top 100 Radio Airplay chart feature men.

Published: 24 August 2020

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Growing Pressure on the Government, Platforms and Major Labels to Fix Streaming Now

There have now been over 15,000 signatures on our petition – which we’re running with the Ivors Academy – calling on the Government to help us #FixStreaming and keep music alive.

Published: 13 August 2020

Silence is Not an Option: UK Music Industry Unites Against Racism and Intolerance

We’ve signed an open letter urging the music industry to speak out and eradicate racism, along with over 700 artists, managers, producers and companies.

Published: 03 August 2020

Photograph of a young child standing in front of a chalk board, learning the violin.

We’re Calling on the ABRSM to Diversify Their Syllabi

We've sent a letter on behalf of over 70 organisations, musicians, music teachers and academics to ABRSM, demanding they take meaningful and measurable action to diversify their syllabi.

Published: 03 August 2020

Photograph of a young group of musicians hanging out and rehearsing.

Final Set of Inspirational Articles for Young People in the Music Industry Released

Young Guns Network (YGN), have added five more articles to their commission mission series – aiming to inspire, educate and interest young people aged 18-30 in music.

Published: 28 July 2020

We’ve Joined the 48-Hour Boycott Against Twitter’s Inaction

We’ve joined the 48-hour Twitter “walkout,” against Twitter’s inaction this weekend, following a series of tweets inciting violence against Jewish people, posted by grime artist Wiley.

Published: 27 July 2020

Our Letter to the Prime Minister in Support of NEU’s Anti-Racism Recommendations

We’ve sent a letter to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson in support of the National Education Union’s (NEU) five recommendations for urgent action to tackle racism.

Published: 22 July 2020

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Drake Music Hosts Conversation on Making Online Music Education Accessible

Drake Music is a national arts charity working in music, disability and technology – they’ve publishing findings from their most recent working group meeting on online accessibility.

Published: 16 July 2020

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Songs for Refugee Week

For Refugee Week, we asked you to share songs you love in another language, about home, about displacement or imagining a different future.

Published: 23 June 2020

Access Online Healthy Performance Courses on BAPAM’s New Website

Browse BAPAM’s series of events designed to improve health in the performing arts and support enhanced performance excellence through wellbeing and good practice.

Published: 19 June 2020

Photograph of a small child sat learning the Ukulele

Boost Diversity in the Music Industry with UK Music’s Survey

UK Music, the voice of the UK’s commercial music industry, has launched a Music Industry Workforce Diversity Survey to help bring about “major change at pace”.

Published: 17 June 2020

a mother holding her daughter on her shoulders

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

Pregnancy rights charity, Pregnant then Screwed, with support from Doughty Street Chambers and law firm Leigh Day, is threatening legal proceedings against the Chancellor for discriminating against women in the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

Published: 12 June 2020

Photograph of a statue of Slave Trader Edward Colston removed from its plinth by protestors in Bristol. Photo credit: Olumedia.co.uk

Decolonialising the Music Curriculum: Sign the Petition

Music exam boards can play a role in shaping a more positive future by ensuring greater diversity in their syllabuses, as can making a change to the broader curriculum.

Published: 09 June 2020

Protesters at a Black Lives Matter march in London.

Reflecting on #TheShowMustBePaused

Following #TheShowMustBePaused, we must now turn awareness into action in order to create meaningful, long-term impact.

Published: 03 June 2020

A female musician holding a guitar and a baby next to her

Call for Evidence From Those Missing out on SEISS Due to Maternity Leave

Campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed are calling on those whose Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) claim has been affected by maternity leave. Due to the massive response to their campaign so far, the Government’s deadline for evidence has been extended.

Published: 04 May 2020

Anna Neale dressed in green dress, standing on a beach with a guitar

Music as a Way of Getting Through

Singer-songwriter Anna Neale tells us how, "Music is one the greatest expressions of human identity. It's what's getting a lot of people through this crisis. Hold on to that, reach out, and ask."

Published: 14 April 2020

Musicians playing in a home studio setting. Photo credit: Shutterstock

MU Signs Up to Keychange Initiative and Pledges to Work Towards Fifty-fifty Gender Representation

PRS Foundation’s Keychange initiative has now opened up to organisations within the music industry, having previously focused on music festivals and major events.

Published: 05 February 2020

Photograph of violin on its side, in shadow

ENO Opens Applications for BAME Orchestra Fellowship to Better Reflect Under Represented Musicians

English National Opera (ENO) are recruiting five new string players from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background in a positive effort to ensure their Orchestra more fairly reflects our society.

Published: 20 January 2020

Poster with illustration of two women dancing happily reading #ForTheLoveOfMusic, find out more at theMU.org/safespace

16 Days of Activism with UN Women: a Safe Space for Reporting

A recent MU survey revealed 48% of musicians have experienced sexual harassment at work. Over 85% did not report it.

Published: 06 December 2019

16 Days of Activism with UN Women: Protected Characteristics

Over 48% of Musicians’ Union members surveyed have experienced sexual harassment at work. Shockingly, a third of those people say their harassment was related to a protected characteristic, and another 21% said they were not sure.

Published: 03 December 2019

Photograph of violin performer facing away from camera. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Third Party Harassment at Work: Protect Freelancers Too

You might have heard about the Musicians’ Union’s campaign to Protect Freelancers Too. In a recent survey of MU members, 48% told us they have experienced sexual harassment at work.

Published: 29 November 2019

Why the Musicians' Union is Supporting #16Days and UN Women's Stand Against Rape Culture

Musicians’ Union Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at how the MU is tackling sexual harassment in musicians’ workplaces, creating Safe Space for musicians to be heard and campaigning to ensure that everyone has an equal level of protection from sexual harassment.

Published: 25 November 2019

Teacher and student with a saxophone in a school hall setting

Music Education Hubs to Receive Another Year’s Funding

The MU welcomes the government’s announcement of another year’s funding for music education hubs.

Published: 06 November 2019

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