News & Stories for Musicians

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Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves

A reminder that limited company directors can receive assistance through the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). This may assist some members who would otherwise fall through the cracks of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

Published: 02 April 2020

Jumping into online teaching

In this first-hand account, Rick Finlay - professional drummer, teacher, and vice-chair of our Executive Committee - charts the ups and downs of moving his teaching practice into the online world.

Published: 01 April 2020

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Rockschool Ltd Moves Exams to Video Format

Teachers moving their practice online, may be interested to learn that they can also continue to enter students into Rockschool exams – which can now be taken over video.

Published: 01 April 2020

Greater Manchester Commissions Creative Responses to COVID-19

Greater Manchester Combined Authority has granted 60 micro commissions worth £500.

Published: 31 March 2020

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Scottish Members Encouraged to Respond to STUC Survey on Job Security

Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) launches new survey to find out what is happening to workers’ safety and jobs across Scotland.

Published: 31 March 2020

Our Updated Call on Government to Protect the Self-Employed

It is vital that no musicians are left to fall through the cracks by Government’s new self-employment Income Support Scheme. That’s why we’re urging members to continue to write to MPs with our revised calls for action.

Published: 31 March 2020

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Northern Ireland Communities Minister Announces Support for Performers

Northern Ireland Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA instructed officials to put in place immediate and practical steps to help support Artists, Performers and Creative Producers across the arts and cultural sector.

Published: 30 March 2020

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Creative Scotland Launches Three New Funding Programs

The new funds announced by Creative Scotland on 27 March are designed to provide further support to sustain Scotland’s creative community during the coronavirus outbreak. Two of these funds open for applications today.

Published: 30 March 2020

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BBC Opens Funding Towards Works for a Virtual Festival

The BBC is inviting artists to apply for funding to create new works for its virtual festival Culture in Quarantine. Applications will open later this week.

Published: 30 March 2020

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Crowdfunder for MU Hardship Fund Blows Past Target in Six Days

Musicians and music lovers have donated more than £11,600 to the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund in just six days.

Published: 30 March 2020

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MU Coronavirus Fund Extends Eligibility Criteria

It has now been agreed to widen eligibility criteria for grants from the fund to include all full membership subscription rate payers and joint NEU / EIS / UCU MU members.

Published: 30 March 2020

Make Sure No Musician is Left Behind by Government's New Scheme for the Self-Employed

Although Government’s new financial relief scheme for the self-employed contains good news for many of our members – it is vital that no musicians are left to fall through the cracks.

Published: 27 March 2020

Government Announcement on Measures to Protect the Self-Employed Anticipated

The prime minister announced last night (Wednesday 25 March) that Government is preparing to announce measures that should put the self-employed on “parity” with employees.

Published: 26 March 2020

Crowdfunder for Coronavirus Hardship Fund More Than Triples in Under Two Days

Since opening, our Crowdfunder to raise more money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund is fast gaining momentum – growing from £1,865 on the evening of Tuesday 24 March to almost £6000.

Published: 26 March 2020

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Members’ Discount For Two Week Course on Teaching Music Online

Music:Ed is offering its readers, which include Musicians’ Union members a 25% discount on its latest training course for music teachers moving over to online lessons.

Published: 26 March 2020

The Government Announces a Welcome Plan for the Self-Employed

After weeks of lobbying MPs and Ministers, the MU has welcomed the package of help that the Government has announced for the self-employed.

Published: 26 March 2020

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MITC Launches Free Guide to Anxiety Relief and Self Isolation For Musicians

Music Industry Therapists & Coaches (MITC) have launched a Guide To Anxiety Relief and Self Isolation – this free, supportive resource is available for download from their website.

Published: 25 March 2020

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Support Your Favourite Independent Record Shop With #LoveRecordStores

On Thursday 26 March, musicians, artists, actors and celebrity music fans around the world showing their love for their favourite independent record store over the hashtag #LoveRecordStores.

Published: 25 March 2020

PRS for Music Launches Membership Emergency Relief Fund

The new fund, which will open for applications at 9:00 am on Thursday 26 March, offers money to support songwriters and composers during unprecedented times of hardship.

Published: 25 March 2020

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Help Musicians Opens New Hardship Fund

The Help Musicians Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund is now available. Eligible musicians can apply for a one-off grant of £500.

Published: 25 March 2020

A woman learning to play violin at home remotely

Teaching Rates Should Still Apply for Online Education

MU National Organiser for Education and Training Diane Widdison answers the question, “Should teachers charge the same for teaching online as they do when teaching face to face?” Our advice is yes - they should.

Published: 25 March 2020

Call For Government to Protect Musicians Gains Media Coverage Across the UK

Huge numbers of members and non-member musicians have responded to our coronavirus impact survey.

Published: 24 March 2020

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BAPAM Moves Healthy Performance Events Online

The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) have set themselves up to begin running their training events online, with course topics ranging from vocal health to injury prevention and keeping mentally well.

Published: 24 March 2020

Ask Your MP to Support Coronavirus Bill Amendment Protecting Freelancers

Update: This amendment is no longer on the table, but Government is currently looking in intense detail at providing help for the self-employed. We still recommend that you write to your MP using the three asks below.

Published: 24 March 2020

Government Promises That Help is Coming for the Self-Employed

Following intense lobbying from the MU and others, the Government has today promised that the self-employed have not been forgotten and that ‘help is coming’.

Published: 24 March 2020

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Help Provide Immediate Support for Musicians in Real Financial Hardship

We know it’s a difficult time, but if you can please donate to support our fund for musicians facing genuine financial hardship.

Published: 24 March 2020

A woman sitting on a sofa with the laptop and learning online

Arts Council England Offers Digital Assistance

Arts Council England (ACE) have announced that their Digital Culture Network will be collating free resources, webinars and support organisations.

Published: 23 March 2020

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FEU Calls for an Income Guarantee to Protect Workers in the Arts and Media

The Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU) have published this open letter, calling on Government to introduce an income guarantee for freelance and self-employed workers for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Published: 23 March 2020

MU General Secretary Sends Personal Message to Members Affected by Coronavirus Outbreak

In the video message, which was published across the MU’s social channels this morning (Monday, 23 March), Horace Trubridge announced the measures the MU would take to alleviate the pressure on musicians.

Published: 23 March 2020

Photograph of musician at home working on notation.

Income Tax Deferral for the Self-Employed

If you are self employed, Income Tax payments due in July 2020 under the Self-Assessment system will be deferred to January 2021.

Published: 23 March 2020

Applications Open for New Coronavirus Hardship Fund for MU Members

In response to the widespread cancellation of work that has hit our profession as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we have taken the decision to set up a £1M hardship fund that members with genuine and pressing hardship can apply to.

Published: 22 March 2020

Kids playing in an imaginary band to support their music teacher

Your Child's Music Teacher Needs You

If your child is learning an instrument, there's no need to stop because of school closures or social distancing. Ask your child's teacher about moving the lessons online.

Published: 20 March 2020

Music Industry Issues Call to Chancellor for Help During Coronavirus Outbreak

Music industry and charity leaders – including the MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge – have signed a joint open letter to the Chancellor, asking for a package of urgent measures to help the crisis-hit sector fight the impact of the coronavirus.

Published: 20 March 2020

Bandcamp to Waive Own Revenue Shares This Friday

The music sharing platform will not be taking a share of profits from midnight to midnight (Pacific Time) on 20 March, in a 24-hour drive to put money directly into artists’ pockets.

Published: 20 March 2020

Arts Council Northern Ireland Publishes Coronavirus Response

Arts Council Northern Ireland have stated that their priority is to support people who work in the arts through the challenges they may face over the coming months as a result of Coronavirus.

Published: 20 March 2020

Scottish Government Announces Support for Scottish Businesses

Scottish Government has announced a further package of support which will be available for Scottish businesses.

Published: 19 March 2020

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Arts Council Wales Outlines Response to COVID-19

Arts Council Wales have updated their Coronavirus response page to outline their funding response going forward.

Published: 18 March 2020

Photo of sun shining on a bunch of spring flowers.

Chancellor Offers Financial Support to Music Venues

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has acknowledged that grassroots music venues across the UK are facing unprecedented challenges to remain in business, as they fight to continue promoting live music in the long-term.

Published: 18 March 2020

Photograph of woman sneezing into a tissue.

MU Calls on Government to Properly Protect Freelance Workers

We are calling on Government to properly protect freelance workers affected by or self-isolating due to coronavirus.

Published: 18 March 2020

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ACE, Creative Scotland and ACW Publish Advice in Response to the Coronavirus

Three major funding bodies for England, Scotland and Wales have published advice for creative businesses and individuals which members may find useful.

Published: 16 March 2020

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Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves

Jumping into online teaching

Rockschool Ltd Moves Exams to Video Format

Greater Manchester Commissions Creative Responses to COVID-19

Scottish Members Encouraged to Respond to STUC Survey on Job Security

Our Updated Call on Government to Protect the Self-Employed

Northern Ireland Communities Minister Announces Support for Performers

Creative Scotland Launches Three New Funding Programs

BBC Opens Funding Towards Works for a Virtual Festival

Crowdfunder for MU Hardship Fund Blows Past Target in Six Days

MU Coronavirus Fund Extends Eligibility Criteria

Make Sure No Musician is Left Behind by Government's New Scheme for the Self-Employed

Government Announcement on Measures to Protect the Self-Employed Anticipated

Crowdfunder for Coronavirus Hardship Fund More Than Triples in Under Two Days

Members’ Discount For Two Week Course on Teaching Music Online

The Government Announces a Welcome Plan for the Self-Employed

MITC Launches Free Guide to Anxiety Relief and Self Isolation For Musicians

Support Your Favourite Independent Record Shop With #LoveRecordStores

PRS for Music Launches Membership Emergency Relief Fund

Help Musicians Opens New Hardship Fund

Teaching Rates Should Still Apply for Online Education

Call For Government to Protect Musicians Gains Media Coverage Across the UK

BAPAM Moves Healthy Performance Events Online

Ask Your MP to Support Coronavirus Bill Amendment Protecting Freelancers

Government Promises That Help is Coming for the Self-Employed

Help Provide Immediate Support for Musicians in Real Financial Hardship

Arts Council England Offers Digital Assistance

FEU Calls for an Income Guarantee to Protect Workers in the Arts and Media

MU General Secretary Sends Personal Message to Members Affected by Coronavirus Outbreak

Income Tax Deferral for the Self-Employed

Applications Open for New Coronavirus Hardship Fund for MU Members

Your Child's Music Teacher Needs You

Music Industry Issues Call to Chancellor for Help During Coronavirus Outbreak

Bandcamp to Waive Own Revenue Shares This Friday

Arts Council Northern Ireland Publishes Coronavirus Response

Scottish Government Announces Support for Scottish Businesses

Arts Council Wales Outlines Response to COVID-19

Chancellor Offers Financial Support to Music Venues

MU Calls on Government to Properly Protect Freelance Workers

ACE, Creative Scotland and ACW Publish Advice in Response to the Coronavirus