News & Stories for Musicians

We’re Partnering with Black Lives in Music and Encouraging Members to Take Their Survey

Black Lives in Music (BLiM) is a newly launched initiative which the MU has partnered with – on a mission to combat racism, uniting organisations and musicians to create a truly inclusive and diverse music industry.

Published: 20 April 2021

Young child wearing a mask is sat at a piano, turning round to face the camera he raises one thumb in a positive gesture.

We’ve Updated Our Advice for Teaching During Coronavirus

Following updated advice and further clarification from the devolved governments of the UK, we have updated our advice for musicians who teach in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

Published: 09 April 2021

Photograph of an orchestra set out in a socially distanced way, we can see all the musicians sat out across the stage in distanced positions, whilst a conductor gestures from the front.

Life in Lockdown for UK Orchestras

In this longer-read feature, find out more about how UK orchestras have been faring through the pandemic – including taking on remote recording projects, working in creative new directions, and putting health and safety first in the move back to work.

Published: 06 April 2021

Photograph of a young girl wearing ear protectors at a concert. The background is blurred but we can see multiple people and string lights.

5 Things to Help Include More Autistic People at Gigs

It’s World Autism Day on 2 April! To celebrate we asked Autism consultant and Heart N Soul creative associate Robyn Rocket to write a blog for us with a few pointers on how we can consider inclusion for Autistic musicians and listeners when the world opens again post-Covid.

Published: 01 April 2021

A woman is working on a laptop computer. She's wearing earphones and smiling broadly.

FEU Closes Live Training Programme But Digital Access to Training Continues

After more than a decade, the Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU) has closed its live training programme – following the Government’s decision to pull all unionlearn funding. However, their digital learning online centre will remain online.

Published: 01 April 2021

Laptop, pencils, an orange, a phone charger and mobile phone, and an open notebook on a desk.

Let us Know What Kind of Training Opportunities You Want From the MU

We’re planning to launch a comprehensive package of webinars for members preparing to return to their careers – but we want to hear from you first, so that we can provide the most appropriate support possible.

Published: 01 April 2021

Photograph of a woman sat outdoors, smiling and strumming on an acoustic guitar.

New Statistics on Sexual Harassment Chime With Those in Music Industry

According to a survey for UN Women UK, four-fifths of young women in the UK have been subjected to sexual harassment, ringing true with our research showing how endemic harassment is in the music industry.

Published: 26 March 2021

Two double bases are left leaning against chairs in what appears to be an orchestra setting.

Orchestras In Healthcare Report

First comprehensive review reveals orchestras contribute more than £1.6m to the public health sector. Almost two thirds of professional orchestras are working in health, wellbeing and social care across the UK.

Published: 04 March 2021

Photograph of a musician playing an acoustic double bass outdoors. The camera is looking up the double bass' neck from below, and the musician is looking away with a concentrated expression.

Applications For The Next Round of HMUK’s Do It Differently Fund Have Opened

Help Musicians UK (HMUK) have opened their Do It Differently Fund for another round of applications on 15 February, offering support for professional musicians of all genres and disciplines.

Published: 17 February 2021

Photograph of semi closed blinds covering a window.

Shielding Importance for Musicians, Songwriters and Composers Highlighted by Research

We’ve released our joint research with The Ivors Academy today, revealing how the majority of shielding musicians, songwriters and composers who we surveyed do not feel they can return to work until they are vaccinated.

Published: 16 February 2021

Photograph of a musician, we can not see their face, in a grey t-shirt, stretching their hands.

New Series of Performance Health CPD Webinars Announced by BAPAM

BAPAM have released their plans for a series of webinars on performance health, to be held monthly on Wednesday evenings, with ticket prices ranging from £10 - £25.

Published: 29 January 2021

Photograph of an accessible entrance sign attached to a brick wall outside a building.

Creating Your Own Access Rider

We recently held an event on “creating your own access rider,” in this article we set out the key learnings for the event – both from artists with personal experience of using access riders, and organisations who work on improving access.

Published: 18 January 2021

Photograph of five women, all looking different from each other, walking through a field with their arms linked around each other.

Call for Evidence on Employer Responses to Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

We encourage members to take part in the Fawcett Society’s call for evidence on sexual harassment in the workplace, particularly to make sure that freelance voices are heard.

Published: 12 January 2021

Two women sat in the mountains, raise their arms into the air as the sun rises in front of them.

MU and Equity Campaign on Domestic Abuse

An update on our Safe Space work with Equity – campaigning on domestic abuse, coercion and control.

Published: 12 January 2021

Photograph of a small boy playing around with a xylophone

Feldenkrais and Practice: Creativity and Play

In this Feldenkrais and Practise blog, professional musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter discusses how we learn through play.

Published: 23 December 2020

How Disabled Musicians Dealt with the Challenges of the Covid Crisis

From heightened isolation to deeply-held prejudices, disabled musicians have experienced profound challenges during the pandemic. But ingenuity, strong mutual support and online access have helped many to prevail, as Neil Churchman explains.

Published: 15 December 2020

Photograph of the author, Maya Kashif. She is standing in front of a body of water, holding her cello.

From the Corner, Eating a Banana, a Freelancer’s View on Invisible Illness

Freelance cellist Maya Kashif uses this year's Disability History Month, “to highlight, in the spirit of awareness, that the internal struggles somebody such as myself may be dealing with should be known about and supported.”

Published: 02 December 2020

Photograph of a woman performing on a guitar and singing, with a webcam set up and recording a live stream of her.

Make Misogyny History

MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at the role misogyny plays and creating safe workplaces for women.

Published: 25 November 2020

Disability History Month: Music Making and the Fates of Disabled People

Conductor and composer Ben Lunn discusses how we need to celebrate “the disabled musicians and artists who exist,” whilst, “making sure disabled people can live in dignity and safety and are able to pursue whatever profession they desire to.”

Published: 17 November 2020

Photograph of a variety of microphones, each one a different style of vintage, set out in a row on a table. The background is a shiny blue.

Defining Your Own Vocal Identity

This article briefly examines the issues giving rise to gender identity in a voice, and headlines the approaches open to trans*+ musicians in defining their own vocal identity.

Published: 11 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 Millicent Stephenson, she is wearing white against a white background whilst holding out a microphone and smiling.

The Journey of a Menopausal Musician

Multi-award winning saxophonist and MU Executive Committee member Millicent Stephenson shares her experiences, ahead of World Menopause Day 18 October.

Published: 15 October 2020

Government Allows Full Resumption of School Music Provision in England

Visiting music teachers may return to schools, and ensemble rehearsals and performances can resume as long as health and safety measures are in place.

Published: 02 September 2020

a female singer performing in front of the transparent protective gig screen

Member Discount for Covid-19 'Gig Screens'

MU members can now get a 10% discount on 'gig screens' designed for live events.

Published: 02 September 2020

Movement in contact improvisation at Feldenkrais workshop

Changing Habits Through Your Feldenkrais Practice

Emma Alter, tutor for our regular (now Zoom based) Feldenkrais classes, discusses, how we can get up close and curious with our habits, and discover more about how we work.

Published: 14 July 2020

Live Performance Risk Assessment Advice for Freelancers Released

We’ve put together new guidance for freelance musicians, to help musicians prepare themselves for when venues to begin reopening.

Published: 12 June 2020

Photograph of a piano player sat at the keyboard

Racism is a Public Health Crisis

Black Lives Matter UK are calling on the on the public to show support for Black members of the community who are being disproportionately affected by Covid-19 with a musical response on Thursday 4 June.

Published: 03 June 2020

Feldenkrais and Practice

Emma Alter, tutor for our regular (now Zoom based) Feldenkrais classes, discusses, “How do we as musicians incorporate or involve Feldenkrais in our instrumental (or singing) practice?” and how we can practice embodiment in our everyday movement too.

Published: 29 May 2020

New Telephone Support Network For Musicians

Musicians feeling isolated and anxious can sign up to the Royal Society of Musicians’ (RSM’s) Coronavirus Support Network to chat with other musicians.

Published: 27 April 2020

Music Support Hosts 12 Step Support Groups Online

Music Support is launching weekly online support group meetings to allow the music industry’s 12 Step recovery community to continue to connect during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Published: 27 April 2020

First Aid Theory Courses Available Online

For members who were interested in taking First Aid training earlier this year, London First Aid Training are offering two accredited online First Aid Theory courses.

Published: 20 April 2020

A person covering their face in the darkness

Advice for Employers and Reps on Domestic Abuse During Disruption from COVID-19

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has released an interactive guide on ways that you can spot, support and help stop victims from suffering further abuse.

Published: 16 April 2020

Anna Neale dressed in green dress, standing on a beach with a guitar

Music as a Way of Getting Through

Singer-songwriter Anna Neale tells us how, "Music is one the greatest expressions of human identity. It's what's getting a lot of people through this crisis. Hold on to that, reach out, and ask."

Published: 14 April 2020

Older image on Andi sat in concert style seating.

Working in Isolation: “If Anyone Can Get Through This, Musicians Can.”

Andi Hopgood, musician, vocalist, tutor and Vice Chair of the MU Executive Committee, tells us about what happened when she had to "make the difficult decision to isolate early on the 16 March".

Published: 03 April 2020

A woman's head overlayed with the clouded sky

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

Happy healthy female musician playing ukelele

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

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

Photograph of buildings across the skyline in Austin, Texas

Advice to Members Following the Cancellation of SXSW Festival

Following the cancellation of this years’ SXSW festival in Austin Texas, members invited to the Showcase are advised that unless they are in possession of a valid ‘O’ or ‘P’ work visa they should not attend.

Published: 09 March 2020

Poster with illustration of two women dancing happily reading #ForTheLoveOfMusic, find out more at theMU.org/safespace

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

Photo of person on stage with microphone

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

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We’re Partnering with Black Lives in Music and Encouraging Members to Take Their Survey

We’ve Updated Our Advice for Teaching During Coronavirus

Life in Lockdown for UK Orchestras

5 Things to Help Include More Autistic People at Gigs

FEU Closes Live Training Programme But Digital Access to Training Continues

Let us Know What Kind of Training Opportunities You Want From the MU

New Statistics on Sexual Harassment Chime With Those in Music Industry

Orchestras In Healthcare Report

Applications For The Next Round of HMUK’s Do It Differently Fund Have Opened

Shielding Importance for Musicians, Songwriters and Composers Highlighted by Research

New Series of Performance Health CPD Webinars Announced by BAPAM

Creating Your Own Access Rider

Call for Evidence on Employer Responses to Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

MU and Equity Campaign on Domestic Abuse

Feldenkrais and Practice: Creativity and Play

How Disabled Musicians Dealt with the Challenges of the Covid Crisis

From the Corner, Eating a Banana, a Freelancer’s View on Invisible Illness

Make Misogyny History

Disability History Month: Music Making and the Fates of Disabled People

Defining Your Own Vocal Identity

Feldenkrais and Practise: Supporting the Arms

The Journey of a Menopausal Musician

Government Allows Full Resumption of School Music Provision in England

Member Discount for Covid-19 'Gig Screens'

Changing Habits Through Your Feldenkrais Practice

Live Performance Risk Assessment Advice for Freelancers Released

Racism is a Public Health Crisis

Feldenkrais and Practice

New Telephone Support Network For Musicians

Music Support Hosts 12 Step Support Groups Online

First Aid Theory Courses Available Online

Advice for Employers and Reps on Domestic Abuse During Disruption from COVID-19

Music as a Way of Getting Through

Working in Isolation: “If Anyone Can Get Through This, Musicians Can.”

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

BAPAM Moves Healthy Performance Events Online

Advice for LGBT+ Musicians Working in Poland

Advice to Members Following the Cancellation of SXSW Festival

16 Days of Activism with UN Women: a Safe Space for Reporting

Show Your Support for Stronger Laws Against Sexual Harassment that Protect Freelancers Too