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 Read more about Boost Diversity in the Music Industry with UK Music’s Survey
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 Read more about Decolonialising the Music Curriculum: Sign the Petition
Reflecting on #TheShowMustBePaused Following #TheShowMustBePaused, we must now turn awareness into action in order to create meaningful, long-term impact. Published: 03 June 2020 Read more about Reflecting on #TheShowMustBePaused
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 Read more about Call for Evidence From Those Missing out on SEISS Due to Maternity Leave
Advice for LGBT+ Musicians Working in Poland Nearly a third of Poland has been declared an LGBT+ free zone, as 100 local authorities have said they will not promote LGBT+ tolerance or acceptance. This includes funding NGOs working to promote equality. Published: 10 March 2020 Read more about Advice for LGBT+ Musicians Working in Poland
LGBT History Month: My Experiences Making a Career as a Professional Musician MU member and session pianist and vocalist Henry Newbury (winner of Pride’s Got Talent) talks about his personal experience in establishing a career as a professional musician. Published: 20 February 2020 Read more about LGBT History Month: My Experiences Making a Career as a Professional Musician
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 Read more about 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 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 Read more about 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 A recent MU survey revealed 48% of musicians have experienced sexual harassment at work. Over 85% did not report it. Published: 06 December 2019 Read more about 16 Days of Activism with UN Women: a Safe Space for Reporting
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 Read more about 16 Days of Activism with UN Women: Protected Characteristics
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 Read more about Third Party Harassment at Work: Protect Freelancers Too
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 Read more about Why the Musicians' Union is Supporting #16Days and UN Women's Stand Against Rape Culture
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 Read more about Music Education Hubs to Receive Another Year’s Funding
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 Read more about 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 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 Read more about 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’ 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 Read more about Delia Derbyshire Day 2019 to Celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of ‘An Electric Storm’
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 Read more about Decolonising the Music Curriculum
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 Read more about International Momentum for Meaningful Change at the World Forum on Music
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 Read more about Opera North Seeks BAME Artists for Resonance Residencies
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 Read more about Standing Up for Diversity in Music Industry
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 Read more about Government Announces Consultation on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
LGBTQ+ in Music: Where is the Representation? This blog is created from the speech that MU member Olive gave at the TUC LGBT+ conference last week – moving a motion on the need for a broad and balanced LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum to ensure LGBTQ+ representation in music. Published: 11 July 2019 Read more about LGBTQ+ in Music: Where is the Representation?
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 Read more about Call for Action to Protect Musicians Jeopardised by Hostile Environment Policies
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 Read more about QMU Becomes First Scottish Venue to Sign the Keychange 50/50 Pledge
MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl talks to BBC Woman’s Hour about sexual harassment in music MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to BBC Woman’s Hour about sexism, sexual harassment and abuse in the music industry following a Newsbeat investigation into the harassment experienced by fans. Published: 11 June 2019 Read more about MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl talks to BBC Woman’s Hour about sexual harassment in music
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 Read more about 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 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 Read more about Next Stage Survey Reveals 2 In 3 Musicians Have Compromised Health and Wellbeing to Perform Live
The MU at Birmingham Pride The MU joined Birmingham Pride march on 25 May 2019. Published: 30 April 2019 Read more about The MU at Birmingham Pride
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 Read more about Concern About Recent Protests Over Schools Teaching About Same-Sex Relationships
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 Read more about Naomi Pohl Recognised on the shesaid.so Alternative Power 100 Music List
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 Read more about Mentoring Scheme for Female MU Members Launched
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 Read more about Scottish Trades Union Congress Opens Survey on Mental Health in the Workplace for #TimeToTalk Day
LGBT+ History Month: Composer Hillman Mondegreen LGBT+ History Month explores the history, celebrates the present, and looks to the future of LGBT+ people in the UK. Hillman Mondegreen, composer for Ephemerals, explores. Published: 31 January 2019 Read more about LGBT+ History Month: Composer Hillman Mondegreen
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 Read more about Inquiry Launched into Social Mobility in the Creative Sector
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 Read more about Attitude is Everything Launches Next Stage Artist Survey
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 Read more about Anti Bullying Week and Combatting Workplace Bullying and Harassment
#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 Read more about #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 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 Read more about Music Students Experience Bullying and Discrimination in Higher Education Finds the Musicians’ Union, Equity and the ISM
ISM and Musicians' Union Launch Music Sector's Code of Practice The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) and the Musicians’ Union (MU), which jointly represent the interests of the UK’s professional musicians, have launched a set of principles to ‘tackle and prevent bullying, harassment and discrimination in the music sector.’ Published: 12 July 2018 Read more about ISM and Musicians' Union Launch Music Sector's Code of Practice
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 Read more about Parents in Performing Arts (PIPA) Opens First of a Kind Survey into Balancing Work with Caring Roles