News & Stories for Musicians

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New Resources Added to MU’s Online Bullying and Harassment Advice Page

We have updated our advice page to include information on stalking, staying safe online and new resources provided by The Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

Published: 31 August 2022

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September's Assignment: Familiarise Yourself With MU Teaching Resources

It’s that time of year again, the start of a brand new school year. In preparation, we’ve put together a top ten resource checklist, reminding all of our music educators what the MU’s Education Department may be able to help you with.

Published: 31 August 2022

Musicians, Yoga and its Unexpected Benefit

Creator of the Musicians’ Yoga Essentials course and MU member Veronika Klírová shares her yoga journey and how its helped her career as a musician.

Published: 25 August 2022

A conductor raises a hand towards a choir stood on a stage, facing outwards they appear to be singing.

The Power Of Musical Healing

Music plays a vital role in wellbeing and there is a wide range of help out there for music teachers and musicians.

Published: 24 August 2022

A small child grins as they raise two small sticks to play on a very small toy drum.

Participants Sought for Research into Lives and Careers of Mothers, Carers and Performers in Scotland

A researcher at the University of West of Scotland is looking to connect with female performing artists (from across music genres and performing arts fields) who live in Scotland and have pre-school age children.

Published: 24 August 2022

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MU Joins Calls for Emergency Budget

The Union also supports Labour’s proposal to freeze energy bills, which are currently due to increase in October and again in January.

Published: 17 August 2022

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Climate and Environment: Sustainable Practices and Challenges for Touring Musicians

As Covid-19 restrictions dissipate but the environmental crisis grows, we’ve been looking at the artists engaging in sustainable practices and the challenges they face as they return to touring.

Published: 10 August 2022

Gal-dem and Vice Join Forces to Publish ‘Open Secrets’ Series

Open Secrets is a collaboration between Gal-dem and VICE that explores abusive behaviour in the music industry – and how it has been left unchecked for too long.

Published: 28 July 2022

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Looking at Anxiety: The Feldenkrais Method for Musicians

Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter looks at the neurophysiology of anxiety and how the Feldenkrais method can help performers.

Published: 26 July 2022

Stephen Brown MU Midlands Regional Organiser; Louise Braithwaite MU vice-Chair Midlands Regional Committee; Rob Johnston TUC Policy and Campaigns Officer. All smiling holding a copy of the MoU.

MU Signs Agreement with Commonwealth Games to Ensure Fair Pay For Artists

The landmark agreement has been signed by Commonwealth Games organisers and cultural sector unions, including the MU, to ensure diversity, fair pay and support for creative sector workers during the Games.

Published: 25 July 2022

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MU Supports New Disability Poverty Campaign Group

The new coalition calls for a thorough reassessment of social security support for disabled people, and members are encouraged to write to their MP using the Action Network Tool below.

Published: 21 July 2022

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MU Reiterates Black Face Position Statement

The reiteration comes following the Arena di Verona’s summer festival’s decision to darken performers skin for their roles in Verdi’s Aida, and their subsequent defence of this decision.

Published: 18 July 2022

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MU Welcomes News That Paul Nowak Is Set To Become New TUC General Secretary

Paul Nowak, TUC Deputy General Secretary, is set to succeed Frances O’Grady as TUC General Secretary when she retires at the end of the year.

Published: 12 July 2022

Close up of musical icons on on wooden cubes/blocks. Icons include: microphone, headphones, loud speaker, radio, and vinyl discs.

MU Meets with Leader of Labour Party

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl met with Labour leader Keir Starmer this week to talk through the Union’s policy priorities.

Published: 06 July 2022

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MU Attends TUC LGBT+ Conference

A motion on the need for specialist LGBT+ mental health services was passed at the conference last week.

Published: 05 July 2022

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MU Sponsors New Series of Classical Music Podcast Music Works

Music Works is a podcast that explores how the classical music industry works today and how it can work better in the future, with the first episode in the new series featuring MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl.

Published: 30 June 2022

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As a Romani Gypsy and LGBTQ+ Person, Musician Stephe Meloy Highlights the Importance of Being True to Yourself

In this informative and thought-provoking piece, MU member Stephe Meloy discusses what it means to celebrate both LGBTQ+ Pride and Gypsy Roma Traveller History months.

Published: 30 June 2022

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Information for Members Wishing to Take Action Further to Roe V Wade Ruling

Resources for members wishing to stand in solidary with the fight to defend abortion rights in the US.

Published: 27 June 2022

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Overcoming Adversity to Play Again: A Refugee’s Story

In recognition of Refugee Week 2022, Musician and Associate Prof. Dr. Waheedullah Saghar (former head of the Music Department for the Faculty of Fine Arts at Kabul University) speaks of his experiences of being a refugee, and how music helps to keep our stories alive across continents.

Published: 24 June 2022

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“The MU LGBT+ Network Meetings Offer a Comforting Camaraderie”: A Members’ Story

EDI Committee member Lynn Henderson shares her experience of attending the LGBT+ Network meetings, being on the EDI committee and seeing how change is made at the MU.

Published: 24 June 2022

River Clyde, Glasgow at Night towards the Squinty Bridge which is lit in purple and reflected in the water beneath.

Unions Declare Cost-of-Living Emergency in Scotland

The MU attended last weeks’ summit in Glasgow where the STUC and Poverty Alliance made key demands of the Scottish Government.

Published: 23 June 2022

7 MU members of staff standing in the street for the rally, all holding large white MU flags.

MU Joins Trade Union Members From Across the UK to Demand Better

Tens of thousands of trade union members marched together with one clear message for the Government: we deserve and we demand better.

Published: 21 June 2022

Close up of clarinet over a keyboard with sheet music.

MU and Black Lives in Music Launch 3-Year Partnership

The 3-year partnership will see BLiM and The MU work together to challenge racism, promote inclusive practices and accelerate change regarding diversity in the music industry.

Published: 16 June 2022

A young person is sat in a bright library setting wearing red headphones and looking intently at a computer screen.

Universities Cut Arts Courses

The MU is saddened to see large-scale cuts to arts courses at two universities following ongoing Government funding cuts and anti-arts rhetoric.

Published: 14 June 2022

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Carol Jack Releases Tool-Kit For Female Singers Over 40

The online tool-kit features advice from over 16 expert speakers, including the MU’s General Secretary Naomi Pohl, giving female singers over 40 the tools and strategies needed to “take back the mic.”

Published: 14 June 2022

Blacked out image with a single spot light in center where a women's silhouette is singing into a microphone.

MU Disappointed in New Equality Stats Regarding Female Festival Headliners

New BBC research has found that music festival lineups are still not balanced in terms of gender equality, with only 13% of UK headliners being female.

Published: 08 June 2022

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Remembering #TheShowMustBePaused: Two Years on in the Music Industry

The MU’s Education and Equalities Officer Rose Delcour-Min reflects on the changes at the MU and in the music industry since #TheShowMustBePaused and Blackout Tuesday in 2020.

Published: 02 June 2022

Women sat cross legged on a mat in pyjamas in yoga/meditation pose. She has headphones in and is watching her laptop.

Re-watch Alison Gordon’s Meditation Session for Musicians’ Mental Health Month

Last month the MU in partnership with YCAT, BAPAM and Help Musicians’ UK launched Musicians’ Mental Health Month and you can now watch a recording of one of the sessions.

Published: 25 May 2022

Man performing on stage with guitar under a brick arch/tunnel way, the crowd are sat watching.

Seed Sessions: Creating Roots For Better Mental Health in Male-identifying Musicians

Artist Nederveen shares his experience of working with Seed Sessions, the community interest company (CIC) combining music-making with counselling sessions for young male-identifying musicians in Bristol.

Published: 18 May 2022

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Hundreds of Festivals Sign Up to AIF Safer Spaces Campaign

The UK's Association Of Independent Festivals has relaunched its Safer Spaces campaign today, with more than a hundred festivals on board. The aim is to tackle and combat sexual violence at festivals and large-scale music events.

Published: 17 May 2022

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Celebrating IDAHOBIT in the music industry

Today, Tuesday 17 May, the MU celebrates the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT).

Published: 17 May 2022

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Acas Updates its Disability Guidance

Public body Acas has updated its disability guidance to provide clear advice on how to support disabled people at work.

Published: 16 May 2022

Becoming a More Accessible Studio: How One Business Owner Is Igniting Change Within the Industry

Hear the five tips for making your recording studio more accessible, and what we can all learn from helping to remove barriers for musicians. This is a repost from the Crown Lane Studio manager John Merriman's blog.

Published: 11 May 2022

A white microphone is in near focus, where in the background a woman is preparing to put earphones on, a notebook and laptop on her desk.

Motion on Being Black in the UK Music Industry Passes at TUC Black Workers Conference

A motion responding to the ‘Being Black in the UK Music Industry’ report has been raised and passed at the TUC Black Workers conference.

Published: 10 May 2022

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MU Welcomes Proposal For Independent Standards Authority

Creative UK and UK Time’s Up proposal for a formal Independent Standards Authority will seek to strengthen efforts to tackle bullying and harassment, and drive greater accountability across the UK’s creative industries.

Published: 05 May 2022

Picture of Iona Fyfe sitting on a bench in a photography studio smiling looking into the camera. She has blonde hair, red lipstick and a suit style jacket on.

Scots’ Folk Singer and MU Member Iona Fyfe Wins STUC Equality Award

Iona Fyfe, one of Scotland’s leading folk singers and MU member, received the Equality Award at the Scottish TUC’s annual congress in Aberdeen.

Published: 29 April 2022

Anonymous women in silhouette against a window blind.

MU Reacts to Reports of Abuse of Black Women By a Prominent DJ

Recent reports of Tim Westwood’s decades of abuse of Black women are yet another example of the power imbalances in the music industry that allow men to use their positions of power to abuse women over lengthy periods of time without consequence.

Published: 29 April 2022

Close up of a corner of Sheffield City Hall, a big white stone building.

Professional Development Opportunities in Yorkshire with PiPA

Parents in Performing Arts (PiPA) is offering a series of professional development placements and opportunities at renowned performing arts organisations for marginalised parents or carers based in Yorkshire.

Published: 25 April 2022

Women with short dark hair, her eyes are closed and she is breathing deeply, an orange sunrise is subtly imposed over the head to symbolise mindfulness and new beginnings.

Feldenkrais: Breathing and Anxiety

In this repost of her blog (The Moving Brain), professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter explains how your mood can affect how you breathe, and how you breathe can affect and influence your mood.

Published: 21 April 2022

Black mother and father embracing a new born baby, looking down smiling

Shadow Women and Equalities Minister Backs Call for Shared Parental Leave Reform

Taiwo Owatemi MP responded positively to a question from MU delegate Sam Murray on shared parental leave at the 2022 TUC Young Workers Conference.

Published: 13 April 2022

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New Resources Added to MU’s Online Bullying and Harassment Advice Page

September's Assignment: Familiarise Yourself With MU Teaching Resources

Musicians, Yoga and its Unexpected Benefit

The Power Of Musical Healing

Participants Sought for Research into Lives and Careers of Mothers, Carers and Performers in Scotland

MU Joins Calls for Emergency Budget

Climate and Environment: Sustainable Practices and Challenges for Touring Musicians

Gal-dem and Vice Join Forces to Publish ‘Open Secrets’ Series

Looking at Anxiety: The Feldenkrais Method for Musicians

MU Signs Agreement with Commonwealth Games to Ensure Fair Pay For Artists

MU Supports New Disability Poverty Campaign Group

MU Reiterates Black Face Position Statement

MU Welcomes News That Paul Nowak Is Set To Become New TUC General Secretary

MU Meets with Leader of Labour Party

MU Attends TUC LGBT+ Conference

MU Sponsors New Series of Classical Music Podcast Music Works

As a Romani Gypsy and LGBTQ+ Person, Musician Stephe Meloy Highlights the Importance of Being True to Yourself

Information for Members Wishing to Take Action Further to Roe V Wade Ruling

Overcoming Adversity to Play Again: A Refugee’s Story

“The MU LGBT+ Network Meetings Offer a Comforting Camaraderie”: A Members’ Story

Unions Declare Cost-of-Living Emergency in Scotland

MU Joins Trade Union Members From Across the UK to Demand Better

MU and Black Lives in Music Launch 3-Year Partnership

Universities Cut Arts Courses

Carol Jack Releases Tool-Kit For Female Singers Over 40

MU Disappointed in New Equality Stats Regarding Female Festival Headliners

Remembering #TheShowMustBePaused: Two Years on in the Music Industry

Re-watch Alison Gordon’s Meditation Session for Musicians’ Mental Health Month

Seed Sessions: Creating Roots For Better Mental Health in Male-identifying Musicians

Hundreds of Festivals Sign Up to AIF Safer Spaces Campaign

Celebrating IDAHOBIT in the music industry

Acas Updates its Disability Guidance

Becoming a More Accessible Studio: How One Business Owner Is Igniting Change Within the Industry

Motion on Being Black in the UK Music Industry Passes at TUC Black Workers Conference

MU Welcomes Proposal For Independent Standards Authority

Scots’ Folk Singer and MU Member Iona Fyfe Wins STUC Equality Award

MU Reacts to Reports of Abuse of Black Women By a Prominent DJ

Professional Development Opportunities in Yorkshire with PiPA

Feldenkrais: Breathing and Anxiety

Shadow Women and Equalities Minister Backs Call for Shared Parental Leave Reform