News & Stories for Musicians

Photograph of a musician with a guitar performing outside, their back is to the camera and there are bright green and yellow leaves against a grey sky.

Welsh Government Announces Additional Funding for Cultural Recovery Fund

The Welsh Government announced on Wednesday 11 November that it will be investing a further £10.7m in the Cultural Recovery Fund, including further money for the Freelancer Fund.

Published: 11 November 2020

Photograph of a packed concert taking place indoors, there is red lighting shining through smoke and the band in the distance are blurred.

Birmingham Musicians Encouraged to Complete Live Music Survey

Members in Birmingham are encouraged to fill out BLMP's survey on their experiences in the creative industries, to help protect Birmingham's vibrant music scene and be in with the chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher.

Published: 11 November 2020

Photograph of a group of young musicians sat cross legged on the floor, they appear to be rehearsing something and sheet music is spread out on the floor.

Help Musicians Hardship Fund Opens for Third Phase of Applications

The Hardship fund is designed to provide financial support to professional musicians who fall through the gaps of government support or are unable to make ends meet.

Published: 11 November 2020

Photograph of earphones and a microphone resting on a wooden surface.

Updated Guidance on Continuing to Rehearse During England’s Lockdown

We’ve now received confirmation DCMS that it is okay for musicians to rehearse in their homes under the current lockdown in England.

Published: 11 November 2020

Photograph of a young mother, playing on a guitar whilst being distracted by a toddler who is reaching out to the instrument. They are both smiling.

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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The MU at the First Ever Boudica Music Conference

Boudica Music Conference will focus on inspiring more womxn and non-binary people to become involved in the music industry.

Published: 10 November 2020

Photograph of a child playing with a tambourine. The background is blurred but seems to suggest that a lesson is taking place.

Updated Advice for Teachers Across the UK

We have rewritten our advice for teachers working in the UK, in response to the current Government restrictions in Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England.

Published: 09 November 2020

Photograph of a young man in a yellow t-shirt against a yellow background, he is wearing earphones and stretching with an expression on his face indicating he may be in pain.

Feldenkrais and Practise: Supporting the Arms

In this third Feldenkrais and Practise blog, professional musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter discusses how we can use Feldenkrais technique to explore how we support the arms and hands during practice.

Published: 06 November 2020

Photograph of an outdoor music performance taking place at night. We can only see the neck of a guitar and the shoulder of the musician, in the background there is bunting and bright lights.

What the End of the Welsh Firebreak Could Mean for Musicians

The Welsh Government’s Firebreak response to Covid-19 is due to end on Monday 9 November, here’s our summary of the new measures and how they’re likely to affect musicians.

Published: 06 November 2020

Photograph of a masked musician practicing guitar in front of a laptop, in what appears to be a living room in a home.

Updates to Guidance for Scotland’s Five Tier System

The Performing Arts and Venues guidance, Events Sector guidance and Creative Studio guidance have all been updated – here’s a walk through on how this may affect musicians and where to learn more.

Published: 06 November 2020

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Teaching Under the New English Lockdown Restrictions

While private music teaching should remain online throughout the new restrictions, music lessons can take place in students' homes if no other option is viable.

Published: 05 November 2020

Photograph of a musician, we can't see their face but they are holding a microphone with plastic gloves on, and have a surgical mask on their face.

Guidance on Continuing to Rehearse During England’s Lockdown

We’ve had confirmation from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) that rehearsals can continue, provided that the band or individual is working.

Published: 05 November 2020

Photograph of a musician playing saxophone at home, playing into a webcam that is set up to record.

Lobbying Update: SEISS and Furlough Extensions Confirmed

As England heads into a month-long lockdown and the other nations consider their next steps, the MU has welcomed the extension of the furlough and SEISS schemes.

Published: 05 November 2020

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MU Set to Relocate London Main Office

The Musicians’ Union plans to move from its existing London headquarters in the Oval in 2021.

Published: 04 November 2020

Photograph close up to a microphone set up in a recording studio.

Advice for Members on Covid-19 Testing Requests

Our advice to members who are asked to participate in Covid-19 testing, in order to attend recording session engagements.

Published: 04 November 2020

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Survey on Birmingham Clean Air Zone

Support our campaign to lobby the council to mitigate the impact on musicians and associated businesses.

Published: 03 November 2020

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England to Go Under Nationwide Lockdown

A nationwide lockdown has been announced for England, from Thursday 5 November, through to Wednesday 2 December.

Published: 02 November 2020

Photograph of a clarinet performer in what appears to be an orchestral setting, although we can only see the performers hands and a blur of other instruments and music stands in the background.

Lockdown in England: The Likely Effect on Musicians

A nationwide lockdown has been announced for England, as well as extensions to the Government’s SEISS and furlough schemes which will apply across the UK.

Published: 02 November 2020

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Your Guide to Giving Evidence to the Music Streaming Inquiry

The idea of giving evidence to a Select Committee can be daunting – especially when it’s about something as important and complex as streaming. But it doesn’t have to be.

Published: 30 October 2020

Streaming Inquiry Frequently Asked Questions

Have you got a question about the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into the economics of music streaming? Take a look at these FAQs.

Published: 30 October 2020

Have Your Say in Select Committee Inquiry on Music Streaming

MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee want to know how the economics of music streaming are affecting you.

Published: 30 October 2020

Photograph of a group of children playing music in a classroom, they're playing percussive instruments and looking at their teacher attentively.

Black History Month: The Playlist (Part Four)

In the fourth part of this blog, Saxophonist, Author and Music Education Consultant Nathan Holder highlights tracks by Black British musicians and how they can be incorporated into comprehensive lesson plans.

Published: 29 October 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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Arts Council of Northern Ireland Stability and Renewal Programme Opens

The £7.75m Stability and Renewal Programme is now open to support arts and cultural organisations in Northern Ireland.

Published: 29 October 2020

Fife coastal path from Burntisland to Kirkcaldy photographed from above, the path is empty.

New Five Tier System for Scotland Unveiled

Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled new Covid restrictions for Scotland today, the new five tier system will come into force from 6:00 am on Monday 2 November.

Published: 29 October 2020

Photograph of a saxophone lesson taking place, we see the teachers back but she is emphasising something with her hands. The student facing us is holding a saxophone and laughing.

The Welsh Economic Resilience Fund

The third round of funding from the Welsh Economic Resilience Fund opens for applications on the afternoon of Wednesday 28 October, members are urged to check the eligibility criteria and apply as soon as they are able.

Published: 28 October 2020

Photograph of a tuba being played, the musician is not visible apart from their hands and the background is black and shaded.

Connecting with Audiences as an Orchestra During Lockdown

In this blog, originally put together in August, Daniel Trodden – Principal Tuba for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales – talks us through what an orchestral musician’s working life could look like in the new normal.

Published: 28 October 2020

Photograph of a flute resting on a score, yellow lighting is shining down on everything.

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

An Open Letter on the Threat of Brexit to Creative Working Opportunities

The MU, Equity and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain have urged the Government to come forward with guidance and to stand up for creatives at the ongoing negotiations.

Published: 28 October 2020

Photograph of a young girl, singing into a microphone. The background of the picture is a yellow block of colour, with graphics of different musical notes flying out and away from the girl.

Black History Month: The Playlist (Part Three)

In the third part of this blog, Saxophonist, Author and Music Education Consultant Nathan Holder highlights tracks by Black British musicians and how they can be incorporated into comprehensive lesson plans.

Published: 26 October 2020

musicians playing guitar and singing during online concert at home

A Guide to the ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ Fund

Jess Partridge, founder and editor of new music group In Stereo, provides invaluable advice for musicians applying for Arts Council England (ACE) Developing Your Creative Practice Fund.

Published: 26 October 2020

Photograph of a woman performing on a small stage, the lighting around her is blue with streaks of yellow - we can't see the audience.

Application Feedback and Guidance for the ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ fund

We've extended our grant application advice to now cover Developing Your Creative Practice applications, as well as continuing to offer advice on ACE National Lottery Project Grants.

Published: 26 October 2020

Text reading: We can't leave workers without vital skills in a pandemic: the government must save union learning

Take Action Against Decision to Axe Union Learning Fund

For more than twenty years, the Union Learning Fund has supported trade union learning projects. Now the Government wants to cut its funding – putting the FEU Training programme under threat.

Published: 23 October 2020

FEU Releases Statement on #SaveUnionLearn

The FEU general secretaries have released the following statement on the scrapping of the Union Learning Fund from April 2021.

Published: 23 October 2020

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Further Clarification on Welsh Firebreak

We’ve had further clarification from the Welsh Government on recordings, and broadcast and streamed performances being able to continue during the firebreak.

Published: 23 October 2020

Photograph of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, taken from across Westminster Bridge. The Thames is visible below, and behind the sun is rising with a golden glow.

Chancellor Announces Changes to Job Support Scheme and SEISS

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the next round of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme would rise from 20 to 40% of “people’s incomes” in a statement to the House of Commons.

Published: 22 October 2020

Photograph of a flute player, with just the flute and the performers hands visible. Other musicians are blurred in the background.

Eligibility Criteria for Creative Scotland Hardship Fund Announced

Applications for the £5m Hardship Fund will open for creative freelancers in Scotland at 12:00 pm on Monday 26 October.

Published: 22 October 2020

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Fix Streaming Campaign Covered on Reasons To Be Cheerful Podcast

Our Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to former Labour leader Ed Miliband and Geoff Lloyd for their podcast on ideas to fix the world.

Published: 20 October 2020

Photograph of MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl sat at a desk, she's holding a magazine but looking into the camera.

MU Deputy General Secretary Selected for Women in Music Roll of Honour

Our Deputy General Secretary, Naomi Pohl, has been selected for Music Week’s Women in Music Roll of Honour – which was published on Monday 19 October.

Published: 20 October 2020

Photograph of pink stage lights beaming down into the darkness. The picture focuses upwards, so we can just see the lights and rigging and not the stage.

Welsh Government Announces Two-Week Firebreak Lockdown

On Monday 19 October, the Welsh Government announced that it will be introducing a two-week firebreak lockdown to try and bring Coronavirus under control in Wales.

Published: 20 October 2020

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Welsh Government Announces Additional Funding for Cultural Recovery Fund

Birmingham Musicians Encouraged to Complete Live Music Survey

Help Musicians Hardship Fund Opens for Third Phase of Applications

Updated Guidance on Continuing to Rehearse During England’s Lockdown

Discrimination Against Women in SEISS to go Under Judicial Review

The MU at the First Ever Boudica Music Conference

Updated Advice for Teachers Across the UK

Feldenkrais and Practise: Supporting the Arms

What the End of the Welsh Firebreak Could Mean for Musicians

Updates to Guidance for Scotland’s Five Tier System

Teaching Under the New English Lockdown Restrictions

Guidance on Continuing to Rehearse During England’s Lockdown

Lobbying Update: SEISS and Furlough Extensions Confirmed

MU Set to Relocate London Main Office

Advice for Members on Covid-19 Testing Requests

Survey on Birmingham Clean Air Zone

England to Go Under Nationwide Lockdown

Lockdown in England: The Likely Effect on Musicians

Your Guide to Giving Evidence to the Music Streaming Inquiry

Streaming Inquiry Frequently Asked Questions

Have Your Say in Select Committee Inquiry on Music Streaming

Black History Month: The Playlist (Part Four)

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

Arts Council of Northern Ireland Stability and Renewal Programme Opens

New Five Tier System for Scotland Unveiled

The Welsh Economic Resilience Fund

Connecting with Audiences as an Orchestra During Lockdown

ABRSM Takes Action to Diversify their Syllabi

An Open Letter on the Threat of Brexit to Creative Working Opportunities

Black History Month: The Playlist (Part Three)

A Guide to the ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ Fund

Application Feedback and Guidance for the ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ fund

Take Action Against Decision to Axe Union Learning Fund

FEU Releases Statement on #SaveUnionLearn

Further Clarification on Welsh Firebreak

Chancellor Announces Changes to Job Support Scheme and SEISS

Eligibility Criteria for Creative Scotland Hardship Fund Announced

Fix Streaming Campaign Covered on Reasons To Be Cheerful Podcast

MU Deputy General Secretary Selected for Women in Music Roll of Honour

Welsh Government Announces Two-Week Firebreak Lockdown