News & Stories for Musicians

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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

a man listening to music on his earphones

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

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

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

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

Photo of person on stage with microphone

Show Your Support for Stronger Laws Against Sexual Harassment that Protect Freelancers Too

A recent MU survey revealed that 48% of musicians have been sexually harassed at work. Take action now for stronger laws to prevent sexual harassment at work that protect freelancers too.

Published: 25 October 2019

Research Reveals Huge Gender Gap in Composers and Signed Recording Artists in the UK

Research from Counting the Music Industry reveals that just 14% of composers and 20% of signed recording artists in the UK are women.

Published: 21 October 2019

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Delia Derbyshire Day 2019 to Celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of ‘An Electric Storm’

An electronic music heritage event in Manchester on 23 November 2019 – with expert talks and live performances celebrating the life of Delia Derbyshire, a pioneering musician and composer of electronic music.

Published: 02 October 2019

Blurred photograph of sheet music on music stands.

Decolonising the Music Curriculum

David Duncan, Publications Officer at London College of Music Examinations (LCM), explores how exam boards can play a role in shaping a more positive future by ensuring greater diversity in their syllabuses.

Published: 01 October 2019

A photograph of the Eiffel Tower, Paris.

International Momentum for Meaningful Change at the World Forum on Music

In this blog post, MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl reports back from the International Music Council’s World Forum on Music. She explains the five rights for children, adults and musical artists, and how international momentum can help achieve meaningful change.

Published: 01 October 2019

Close up photograph of hands on a keyboard.

Opera North Seeks BAME Artists for Resonance Residencies

Opera North are seeking applications from music-makers and composers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds living in the north of England for their third programme of Resonance residencies, supported by PRS Foundation.

Published: 01 October 2019

Empty stage in the dark with the microphone in the spotlight

Standing Up for Diversity in Music Industry

MU members have raised concerns regarding a promoter's view that bands should not highlight their diverse make up, and that doing so is a form of tokenism that will prevent them from being booked.

Published: 30 July 2019

Government Announces Consultation on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

The Government is gathering evidence on whether current laws on protecting people from sexual harassment in the workplace are effective.

Published: 19 July 2019

An assortment of protesters waving flags

Call for Action to Protect Musicians Jeopardised by Hostile Environment Policies

The MU is concerned at the growing impact of the Government’s hostile environment policies which are jeopardising musicians’ opportunities to work.

Published: 04 July 2019

Feminine presenting person playing a drum kit

QMU Becomes First Scottish Venue to Sign the Keychange 50/50 Pledge

The Queen Margaret Union (QMU), a students’ union at the University of Glasgow, has become the first live venue in Scotland to sign the Keychange 50/50 pledge – committing to achieving a 50/50 gender balance in their performers by 2022.

Published: 28 June 2019

Photograph of Bournemouth pier at sunset

Call for Inclusive Music Education at the Trades Union Congress Disabled Workers Conference

Musicians’ Union (MU) delegates called for inclusive music education for all children at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Disabled Workers Conference.

Published: 31 May 2019

New Report from TUC Reveals That Nearly 7 in 10 LGBT People Say They Have Been Sexually Harassed at Work

Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people report being sexually harassed at work, according to new research published by the TUC on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia today.

Published: 17 May 2019

Next Stage Survey Reveals 2 In 3 Musicians Have Compromised Health and Wellbeing to Perform Live

Attitude is Everything’s Next Stage survey, supported by the Musicians’ Union, reveals 2 in 3 musicians have had to compromise their health and wellbeing to perform live.

Published: 09 May 2019

Lineup of percussive instruments for classroom use

Breaking the Class Ceiling in Music Education

MPs and Peers looked at access to music and the challenges emerging artists face in the second session of the ‘Breaking the Class Ceiling’ inquiry.

Published: 23 April 2019

Concern About Recent Protests Over Schools Teaching About Same-Sex Relationships

The MU is concerned at the recent protests in Birmingham regarding schools teaching about same-sex relationships, LGBTQ+ rights and topics covered in the Equality Act 2010.

Published: 12 April 2019

Naomi Pohl Recognised on the shesaid.so Alternative Power 100 Music List

We are delighted that Musicians’ Union (MU) Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl is recognised on the shesaid.so Alternative Power 100 Music List. This year’s theme is community, a value at the heart of the trade union movement.

Published: 02 April 2019

Mentoring Scheme for Female MU Members Launched

The MU and shesaid.so have combined forces to support women in the industry by matching fellow musicians together, to help one another grow and succeed in their careers.

Published: 13 March 2019

Scottish Trades Union Congress Opens Survey on Mental Health in the Workplace for #TimeToTalk Day

The survey aims to look at the root causes of mental ill health in work, how to challenge these, and wider societal issues around mental health.

Published: 07 February 2019

Inquiry Launched into Social Mobility in the Creative Sector

The Performers’ Alliance APPG inquiry, ‘Breaking the Class Ceiling in the Arts’ looks at social mobility in the creative sector.

Published: 18 December 2018

Attitude is Everything Launches Next Stage Artist Survey

Attitude is Everything is asking musicians who identify as deaf or disabled persons – or don’t identify but have a health condition or impairment that impacts their daily life – to share their experiences.

Published: 14 December 2018

5 Tips for Booking Disabled Music Artists

Attitude Is Everything, the disability-led charity improving deaf and disabled people’s access to live music, shares its five tips for booking disabled artists.

Published: 19 November 2018

Anti Bullying Week and Combatting Workplace Bullying and Harassment

Anti Bullying week runs from 12-16 November every year. This year’s theme is “choose respect”.

Published: 12 November 2018

#MUmoment Featured Baluji Shrivastav Produces Series of Performances Considering Sight and Sightlessness

Blind sitar master Baluji Shrivastav OBE – who you may have seen featured in our Musician Behind the Moment campaign – has produced a music, dance and visual performance which considers sight and sightlessness.

Published: 07 August 2018

Music Students Experience Bullying and Discrimination in Higher Education Finds the Musicians’ Union, Equity and the ISM

Joint research by the Musicians’ Union (MU), Equity and the ISM reveal one in two music, dance and drama students are at risk from bullying and discrimination, including sexual harassment.

Published: 19 July 2018

Parents in Performing Arts (PIPA) Opens First of a Kind Survey into Balancing Work with Caring Roles

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is supporting Parents in Performing Arts (PIPA) with their wide-scale, first of a kind survey, and is calling on members to take part.

Published: 29 June 2018

Drake Music Releases Guide to Support Diversification of Music Industry

The ‘We All Make Music’ guide aims support the diversification of the music education workforce. After Drake Music's research revealed that disabled people are very under-represented in music

Published: 07 June 2018

MU Highlights Black Music Programming at TUC Black Workers’ Conference

The Musicians’ Union (MU) was delighted to attend the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Black Workers’ Conference

Published: 23 April 2018

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Drake Music Hosts Conversation on Making Online Music Education Accessible

Songs for Refugee Week

Access Online Healthy Performance Courses on BAPAM’s New Website

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

Decolonialising the Music Curriculum: Sign the Petition

Reflecting on #TheShowMustBePaused

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

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

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

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

16 Days of Activism with UN Women: Protected Characteristics

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

Music Education Hubs to Receive Another Year’s Funding

Show Your Support for Stronger Laws Against Sexual Harassment that Protect Freelancers Too

Research Reveals Huge Gender Gap in Composers and Signed Recording Artists in the UK

Delia Derbyshire Day 2019 to Celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of ‘An Electric Storm’

Decolonising the Music Curriculum

International Momentum for Meaningful Change at the World Forum on Music

Opera North Seeks BAME Artists for Resonance Residencies

Standing Up for Diversity in Music Industry

Government Announces Consultation on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Call for Action to Protect Musicians Jeopardised by Hostile Environment Policies

QMU Becomes First Scottish Venue to Sign the Keychange 50/50 Pledge

Call for Inclusive Music Education at the Trades Union Congress Disabled Workers Conference

New Report from TUC Reveals That Nearly 7 in 10 LGBT People Say They Have Been Sexually Harassed at Work

Next Stage Survey Reveals 2 In 3 Musicians Have Compromised Health and Wellbeing to Perform Live

Breaking the Class Ceiling in Music Education

Concern About Recent Protests Over Schools Teaching About Same-Sex Relationships

Naomi Pohl Recognised on the shesaid.so Alternative Power 100 Music List

Mentoring Scheme for Female MU Members Launched

Scottish Trades Union Congress Opens Survey on Mental Health in the Workplace for #TimeToTalk Day

Inquiry Launched into Social Mobility in the Creative Sector

Attitude is Everything Launches Next Stage Artist Survey

5 Tips for Booking Disabled Music Artists

Anti Bullying Week and Combatting Workplace Bullying and Harassment

#MUmoment Featured Baluji Shrivastav Produces Series of Performances Considering Sight and Sightlessness

Music Students Experience Bullying and Discrimination in Higher Education Finds the Musicians’ Union, Equity and the ISM

Parents in Performing Arts (PIPA) Opens First of a Kind Survey into Balancing Work with Caring Roles

Drake Music Releases Guide to Support Diversification of Music Industry

MU Highlights Black Music Programming at TUC Black Workers’ Conference