News & Stories for Musicians

What Expenses Can Musicians Claim on Tax?

Keeping a record of what you have spent and what you can claim can be arduous, but it can save you money in the long run.

Published: 31 January 2023

Picture of a wooden recorder against a bright pink background.

Save Midlothian Music Service Demo

A demo will be taking place on Tuesday 31 January against planned cuts that will see pupils in Primary 6 and 7, and in S1-S3 no longer having access to music lessons.

Published: 27 January 2023

MU flags visible as part of a larger trade union march moving through a busy street in London.

MU Supports TUC Right to Strike Day of Action

Take part in marches and events on 1 February to protest against the Government’s anti-strike laws.

Published: 27 January 2023

John Shortell speaking at the MU members conference, seen from the perspective of multiple cameras and a sound mixing desk.

Why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is a Trade Union Issue

What is our collective role in building equality, diversity and inclusion and why is it a trade union issue? The MU’s John Shortell explains.

Published: 25 January 2023

Person walking through a bright and busy airport wheeling a suitcase.

MU Signs Petition Calling on Government to End ‘Rampant’ Exploitation of Migrant Workers

21 Trade Unions including the MU, UNISON, the RMT and the PCS union have condemned the Government’s attempts to ‘pit’ workers against each other, and are calling for urgent action to end the exploitation of migrant workers, including undocumented people.

Published: 25 January 2023

A flute left lying flat across a piece of blurred out sheet music.

Nevis Ensemble Cease Trading Due to Severe Funding Challenges

Members engaged with the Nevis Ensemble either as freelancers or ‘Fellows’ are encouraged to contact the MU’s Orchestras Department for advice and support.

Published: 24 January 2023

Abstract close up of a cello bridge, throwing an interesting shaped shadow on a sunny lit floor.

Midlothian Council Propose Drastic Cuts to Instrumental Music Service

The MU are urging members affected to contact their regional office, following the hugely concerning news that Midlothian Council plans to reduce their instrumental music service by 60%.

Published: 24 January 2023

Take the Musicians’ Census 2023

The Musicians’ Census is a joint project by the Musicians’ Union and Help Musicians to get a deeper understanding of what it’s like to be a musician in 2023.

Published: 23 January 2023

White earphones resting on top of a white computer keyboard.

You Can’t Put the AI Genie Back in the Bottle: Protecting Compositions and Recordings

Following on from his recent appearance on BBC Newsnight to discuss what advances in AI could mean for musicians, MU Assistant General Secretary Phil Kear further outlines the protections needed for musicians in the face of new technology.

Published: 20 January 2023

View of the Houses of Parliament in London.

MPs Criticise ACE Funding Cuts in Debate in Parliament

The MU briefed MPs ahead of the debate that was held in Westminster Hall this week.

Published: 20 January 2023

What the NEU and EIS Strikes Mean for MU Members

Following ballots, two of the MU’s sister unions have announced strike action. The MU stands in solidarity with both unions’ members.

Published: 19 January 2023

PRS for Music and PRS Foundation Announce New Multi-year Funding Agreement

With £2.5m in funding already committed for this year, the new agreement will see an increase in year-on-year funding allocated to PRS Foundations work to support new music and talent development.

Published: 18 January 2023

Phil Kear speaking at the MU Orchestra Conference

MU Assistant General Secretary Discusses Concerns About AI and Songwriting on BBC Newsnight

What could AI mean for your rights as a musician, and what could it mean for audiences? MU Assistant General Secretary Phil Kear appeared on BBC Newsnight to discuss the topic.

Published: 18 January 2023

MU Briefing: What MPs Need to Know About Arts Council England Funding Cuts

Facts, figures and Union talking points about arts funding to use in your own conversations with friends, colleagues and decision-makers.

Published: 18 January 2023

MU General Secretary’s New Year Message to Orchestral Players

What the union is doing to improve orchestral players’ pay and conditions? MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to members at this year’s Orchestras Annual General Meeting.

Published: 18 January 2023

Dome of the London Coliseum, English National Opera and Theatre against the blue sky

ENO Receives National Lottery Funding for the Next Year

English National Opera will receive £11.46m National Lottery funding for 2023-24.

Published: 17 January 2023

MU Orchestras AGM Focuses on Improving Pay, Conditions and Arts Funding

MU members came together at Trades Union Congress headquarters for the union’s Orchestras Annual General Meeting.

Published: 17 January 2023

MU Secures New Agreement With The Bridge Theatre

The MU have secured a new agreement with the Bridge Theatre, and are happy to welcome another new opportunity for members under an MU-negotiated agreement.

Published: 17 January 2023

Country duo Gasoline & Matches performing on stage

The Musicians’ Guide to the Birmingham Music Scene

Birmingham has a rich musical legacy and a wide range of resources for musicians of all genres. Here, West Midlands musicians give their personal recommendations.

Published: 14 January 2023

New TUC General Secretary Launches Campaign to Protect the Right to Strike

The Trades Union Congress will fight new anti-strike legislation every step of the way supported by member unions including the Musicians’ Union.

Published: 13 January 2023

Government Post-Brexit Bill Threatens Musicians’ Rights – Write to your MP and Ask Them to Vote Against

A Bill coming back to Parliament next week puts legislation on workers’ rights and copyright at risk.

Published: 13 January 2023

In black and white we see a persons legs, holding a guitar and standing in front of a large amplifier.

MU Welcomes DCMS Select Committee's Report Pushing for Fair Remuneration for Artists From Streaming

The new report by the Department for Culture, Digital, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee is recommending more of a focus on fair remuneration in the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) process examining music streaming.

Published: 13 January 2023

A large crowd marches in central London, some MU branded signs read Fund The Arts and Love ENO.

Impact of Arts Funding Cuts Highlighted in Leafleting Drive

Musicians’ Union members took to the Coliseum for a leafleting session on Friday 6 January, talking to audience members about the impact of arts funding cuts on opera and ballet.

Published: 13 January 2023

MU Signs Letter to Cabinet Secretary Over Music Cuts at BBC Radio Scotland

The MU has signed a joint letter to intervene over BBC Radio Scotland’s plans to axe some key music programmes.

Published: 12 January 2023

Laptop on a tidy desk with a pot of pens in the background.

CULT Cymru Lists New Course for MU Members in Wales

CULT Cyrmu – the union learning project led by BECTU in partnership with Equity, the Musicians’ Union and the Writers’ Guild – have announced a new list of training opportunities for union members based in Wales.

Published: 11 January 2023

Highlights From Mayor Tracy Brabin Keynote Speech at MU Members’ Conference

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin spoke about her priorities for the region in her keynote speech at the second ever Musicians’ Union Members’ Conference.

Published: 05 January 2023

How Function Bands are Faring Three Years after Covid Struck

With parties, weddings and corporate events cancelled during Covid, work for function bands vanished overnight. Three years on, four leading acts reveal how they have been faring.

Published: 05 January 2023

Harp player is performing in a concert space with bright gold light

MU Concerned Over Cuts to the Arts in Scotland

The MU has reacted to last week’s Scottish Budget 2023-24, where announcements saw cuts to arts funding.

Published: 23 December 2022

Lots of different coloured tickets in a big pile, each one reading

Ticket Bank Increases Access to Culture During a Difficult Festive Period

The MU has praised the London Ticket Bank scheme for providing unsold theatre tickets to those who cannot afford access to culture.

Published: 23 December 2022

Red vintage guitar against a red background.

Remembering Joe Strummer

Professor Gregor Gall remembers British singer, musician and songwriter Joe Strummer on the twentieth anniversary of his death.

Published: 22 December 2022

Bright orange and white traffic cones stand in a line on a concrete road

Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival Liquidation Developments Spark Concern

The MU have been made aware of a large number of artists and suppliers who have still not been paid, and encourage affected members to get in contact with the MU’s Glasgow office.

Published: 20 December 2022

8 Ways to Combat Creative Block

Even the most prolific songwriters and composers have moments when inspiration fails to materialise. But there are techniques you can use to avert hitting creative brick walls.

Published: 17 December 2022

Alex Gascoine, a white man with grey hair and a brightly coloured mint green short is leaning against a white painted wall and smiling into the camera.

Executive Committee Chair Commits to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at MU Members’ Conference

Chair of the Musicians’ Union Executive Committee Alex Gascoine opened Members’ Conference with a clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Published: 16 December 2022

View from a train window as it hurtles through green countryside and farms.

Problems on French Trains for Musicians with Large Instruments

A recent meeting of the International Federation of Musicians Europe group has revealed that musicians with large instruments such as double basses are being stopped from travelling on some French trains.

Published: 16 December 2022

Red post box stands in front of a brick wall in the bright sunshine.

Solidarity and the Cost of Living Crisis

The MU would like to express solidarity with other union workers who are on strike this week, including nurses, postal workers and railway staff.

Published: 16 December 2022

The London Coliseum in Covent garden, statue details on the tower lit up by the sun under a bright blue sky.

MU Demands Clarity from ENO Chief Executive Regarding Future Location

ENO’s chief executive suddenly seems to have accepted that the company will be based outside London. The MU disagrees and is seeking urgent clarification.

Published: 16 December 2022

Person sorting a large pile of papers with lots of individual colourful clips.

Home Made Agreements: Key Information

Bookings and an increase in ‘home made’ agreements were on the agenda at the latest MU’s Wales and South West England Regional Committee meeting. What does that mean for you?

Published: 16 December 2022

Speaker panel discussions at the MU Members' Conference 2022

Celebrating Culturally Diverse Organisations in the Arts Council England National Portfolio

We need more arts funding, not less, to make sure that a career as a musician is available and accessible to everyone.

Published: 14 December 2022

Protestors marching at the TUC Cost Of Living protest wearing MU shirts and waving MU flags

Updated MU Subscription Rates for 2023

In order to continue providing members with the best possible service and benefits the MU Executive Committee has approved an increase to membership subscription fees to apply from 1 January 2023.

Published: 14 December 2022

piano lesson conducted online with laptop and iphone on tripod

YouTube Tutorials: How They Can Benefit You and Your Business

YouTube is a valuable tool for enhancing music teaching, adding revenue and expanding your global reach. Here, three musicians discuss how the platform works for them.

Published: 13 December 2022

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What Expenses Can Musicians Claim on Tax?

Save Midlothian Music Service Demo

MU Supports TUC Right to Strike Day of Action

Why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is a Trade Union Issue

MU Signs Petition Calling on Government to End ‘Rampant’ Exploitation of Migrant Workers

Nevis Ensemble Cease Trading Due to Severe Funding Challenges

Midlothian Council Propose Drastic Cuts to Instrumental Music Service

Take the Musicians’ Census 2023

You Can’t Put the AI Genie Back in the Bottle: Protecting Compositions and Recordings

MPs Criticise ACE Funding Cuts in Debate in Parliament

What the NEU and EIS Strikes Mean for MU Members

PRS for Music and PRS Foundation Announce New Multi-year Funding Agreement

MU Assistant General Secretary Discusses Concerns About AI and Songwriting on BBC Newsnight

MU Briefing: What MPs Need to Know About Arts Council England Funding Cuts

MU General Secretary’s New Year Message to Orchestral Players

ENO Receives National Lottery Funding for the Next Year

MU Orchestras AGM Focuses on Improving Pay, Conditions and Arts Funding

MU Secures New Agreement With The Bridge Theatre

The Musicians’ Guide to the Birmingham Music Scene

New TUC General Secretary Launches Campaign to Protect the Right to Strike

Government Post-Brexit Bill Threatens Musicians’ Rights – Write to your MP and Ask Them to Vote Against

MU Welcomes DCMS Select Committee's Report Pushing for Fair Remuneration for Artists From Streaming

Impact of Arts Funding Cuts Highlighted in Leafleting Drive

MU Signs Letter to Cabinet Secretary Over Music Cuts at BBC Radio Scotland

CULT Cymru Lists New Course for MU Members in Wales

Highlights From Mayor Tracy Brabin Keynote Speech at MU Members’ Conference

How Function Bands are Faring Three Years after Covid Struck

MU Concerned Over Cuts to the Arts in Scotland

Ticket Bank Increases Access to Culture During a Difficult Festive Period

Remembering Joe Strummer

Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival Liquidation Developments Spark Concern

8 Ways to Combat Creative Block

Executive Committee Chair Commits to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at MU Members’ Conference

Problems on French Trains for Musicians with Large Instruments

Solidarity and the Cost of Living Crisis

MU Demands Clarity from ENO Chief Executive Regarding Future Location

Home Made Agreements: Key Information

Celebrating Culturally Diverse Organisations in the Arts Council England National Portfolio

Updated MU Subscription Rates for 2023

YouTube Tutorials: How They Can Benefit You and Your Business