News & Stories for Musicians

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Priorities for the Music Education Workforce

This article is a transcript of a talk given by Chris Walters, the MU’s National Organiser for Education and Health & Wellbeing, for the Westminster Education Forum policy conference entitled “Next Steps for Music Education in England”. This event took place online on 10 November.

Published: 12 November 2021

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MU Deputy General Secretary Talks to M Magazine on Ending Sexual Harassment at Work

MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to M Magazine about Safe Space and changing the culture of the music industry to end sexual harassment at work.

Published: 12 November 2021

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Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity Publishes Report Into Representation and Conflict in the Entertainment Trade Unions

The report presents crucial action points highlighting the barriers our members face engaging with the MU, and how we can take steps to remove them.

Published: 09 November 2021

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Marking TUC Young Workers Month This November

November is TUC Young Workers Month, when the whole trade union movement comes together to celebrate, and campaign on issues affecting, young members.

Published: 05 November 2021

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Green Pension Guide Released in World First Move by Make My Money Matter

In the run up to COP26, Make My Money Matter (MMMM) have released a free online guide for organisations committing to greening their pensions – one which members may find useful to share with employers and colleagues where relevant.

Published: 29 October 2021

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MU Calls for Investment in Musicians Following Budget Announcement

Whilst the budget announcement did offer a welcome extension to the orchestras tax relief and business rate relief for venues, the choice not to take forward further music tax incentives and the hike in VAT could have a negative impact on the sector.

Published: 28 October 2021

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The MU Education Conference – a Celebration of Musicians who Teach

The MU’s recent Education Conference – comprising training, networking and debate – was a joyful gathering of members who work in music education.

Published: 22 October 2021

Love Music Hate Racism Special Episode Features Vice Chair of the MU EDI Committee

To celebrate Black History Month, Love Music Hate Racism have hosted a special episode of their #SpeakUpThursday radio show, featuring Chardine Taylor Stone.

Published: 22 October 2021

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Music Support to Run Addiction and Recovery Workshop For Musicians

As part of Addiction Awareness Week, Music Support are offering free places on their brand-new Addiction & Recovery workshop – with applications closing on Monday 25 October.

Published: 22 October 2021

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UK Music Report Reveals Economic Impact of Covid-19

Research by UK Music reveals the music industry contributed £3.1 billion to the UK economy in 2020, down from £5.8bn in 2019.

Published: 20 October 2021

The MU Supports "Being Black in The UK Music Industry" Report Recommendations

The MU fully supports the recommendations made in Black Lives in Music’s survey report highlighting the systemic racism that Black musicians experience across the music industry. The MU’s John Shortell explains why.

Published: 13 October 2021

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TUC Publish Handy Primer On Engaging With Your Employer About Climate Change

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) have published a 15-minute primer on everything you need to know to set up a meeting with your employer and get the conversation going a green transition in the lead up to COP26 in Glasgow this year.

Published: 11 October 2021

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Music Declares Emergency to Host First Climate Music Blowout Event

The event – which will run on Sunday 17 October in London – will include an afternoon of discussion on how the UK music industry can respond to the climate emergency, followed by a ticketed evening show celebrating the power of music.

Published: 11 October 2021

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Free Online Training Opportunity Opens for Those Working Within the Scottish Youth Arts Sector

National Charity “Children in Scotland,” are running a programme of free, online training events, funded by the Scottish Government’s Youth Arts Fund. Topics covered span from becoming trauma informed, to child protection in the digital world.

Published: 08 October 2021

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The MU at Labour and Conservative Party Conferences

The MU took a delegation to the Labour Party Conference, voting on a number of important motions and holding meetings with Labour MPs – as well as making a fleeting visit to the Conservative Party Conference to discuss the Fix Streaming campaign.

Published: 05 October 2021

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MU Signs Letter in Support of Campaign to Protect Afghanistan’s Musicians

The MU was one of over 200 signatories to an open letter – published in the Sunday Times on Sunday 3 October – calling on the UK Government to explicitly prioritise musicians under the Afghanistan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.

Published: 05 October 2021

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MU EC Member Speaks to BBC News Following Keir Starmer’s Commitment to Music Education

MU Executive Committee member Andi Hopgood spoke to BBC News following Keir Starmer’s speech at the Labour Party Conference, explaining how “it’s important to think of the education of our young people as a holistic thing.”

Published: 05 October 2021

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Looking Back, Moving Forward: MU Member Diljeet Bhachu’s Opening Speech to the STUC Black Workers’ Conference

This year’s STUC Black Workers’ Conference was chaired by MU Executive Committee member Diljeet Bhachu, who reflected on how challenging the previous 18-months have been for Black workers across Scotland, and the importance of solidarity across the Trade Union movement.

Published: 04 October 2021

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Final Announcements on Discounts and Sessions as Education Conference Approaches

With just over two weeks to go until our MU Education Conference commences, there’s still time to book your place – and booking for free one-to-one consultations and coaching sessions is now open to all delegates.

Published: 01 October 2021

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Revisit our Playlist Archives for Black History Month

As well as the fresh content that we’ll be publishing over the course of Black History Month (which runs from 1-31 October), we encourage members to browse back through the previous playlists we’ve published celebrating Black British musicians.

Published: 01 October 2021

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Feldenkrais Method for Musicians – Why do it?

You are your primary Instrument, whether that’s a Strad or a factory violin is up to how you use what you have! Find out how the Feldenkrais Method could help.

Published: 23 September 2021

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Lobbying Update: Government Must Invest in Musicians This Autumn

Help us make the case to the Government to use the money that is left in the Cultural Recovery Fund to provide bridging loans and other investment for musicians, by answering three short questions.

Published: 23 September 2021

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MU Urges New Education Secretary and Schools Minister to Work Together to Protect Music Education

Following the sacking of Education Secretary Gavin Williamson and Schools Minister Nick Gibb – and their replacement by Nadhim Zahawi and Robin Walker respectively – the MU urges the new ministers to work together to address systemic problems affecting music education in England.

Published: 17 September 2021

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MU Writes to New DCMS Secretary of State Highlighting Impacts of Brexit and Covid-19

The Musicians’ Union has written to the new Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nadine Dorries MP, highlighting ongoing challenges MU members are facing.

Published: 16 September 2021

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MU Deputy General Secretary Attends Meeting with Scotland’s First Minister on Measures Against Covid-19

MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl represented the Union at a meeting with Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today.

Published: 15 September 2021

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Vaccination Certification Will Become Mandatory for Various Events in Scotland

The Scottish Parliament has approved the use of Coronavirus vaccination certificates to enter some events and higher risk venues, with the scheme coming into effect on 1 October.

Published: 10 September 2021

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Together With The Ivors Academy We’re Calling For Support For Shielding Musicians and Music Creators

Joint research by the MU and The Ivors Academy has revealed that 70% of musicians, songwriters and composers who are still shielding are facing financial hardship because of their continued need to shield.

Published: 10 September 2021

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Harbourside Management Research Highlights How Workers Fear to Disclose Disability

New research from Harbourside Management indicates music industry workers are putting their health at risk as a result of fears to disclose disability.

Published: 07 September 2021

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Women and Equalities Select Committee Menopause Inquiry

The Women and Equalities Select Committee have launched an inquiry into the extent and impact of menopause discrimination in the workplace.

Published: 07 September 2021

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Freelance Parents and Carers Encouraged to Take PiPA’s Survey

Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) are looking to identity the specific needs and challenges faced by freelance parents and carers in the performing arts industry.

Published: 07 September 2021

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#ThisIsNotWorking: Call From Musicians and Music Industry Workforce For Abuse to End

New reports reveal sexual harassment and abuse remain rife in the music industry despite the #MeToo movement. We’re calling on the Government and music industry organisations to protect musicians and other workers from victimisation and harassment.

Published: 03 September 2021

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Exploring Green Pension Investments as the Most Powerful Thing You Can Do to Protect The Planet

The MU continues to investigate ways in which we can reduce our impact on the climate crisis and contribute to sustainability, including divesting from fossil fuels.

Published: 26 August 2021

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How Mothers are Fighting Workplace Discrimination in Music

Female musicians face discrimination in the workplace – and it only increases if they get pregnant. Here, we focus on some of the inspiring musicians lobbying for change.

Published: 26 August 2021

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Graduates Share Their Concerns About The Devastating Impact of Government Funding Cuts to HE Arts and Music Subjects

This summer, the MU asked musicians and other arts workers what the 50% cut to Government funding for Higher Education arts and music subjects means to them.

Published: 25 August 2021

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Help Save Stratford Circus a Dedicated London Arts Space

Nationally recognised arts centre Stratford Circus was closed down during the pandemic lockdown, and Newham Council are now tendering for a new management to run it with no remit or funding for professional arts.

Published: 24 August 2021

The Importance of the MU Political Fund

Assistant General Secretary, Phil Kear, explains how the MU political fund provides invaluable help for members.

Published: 24 August 2021

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Musician Speaks Out on Discrimination Faced During Pregnancy

MU member and harpist Cecilia De Maria took to Facebook and Instagram, to spread an important message about why so many women in the music industry are scared of their work being affected by people finding out that they are pregnant.

Published: 24 August 2021

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Next Steps for England’s National Plan for Music Education Announced

The Government has released a summary of responses to its public consultation on music education and appointed an industry panel to guide the next National Plan for Music Education.

Published: 06 August 2021

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Scottish Classical Music Green Guide Launched by the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group

Set up during the pandemic, the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group (SCSG) is putting the welfare of our planet in the spotlight with the launch of its first ever Scottish Classical Music Green Guide, and the MU is proud to have contributed.

Published: 30 July 2021

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MU Moves to Support Girls I Rate as Part of UK Music 10-Point Plan

As part of the 10-Point Plan published by UK Music’s Diversity Taskforce last October, the MU will be supporting equality movement organisation Girls I Rate in their work towards a music industry where women can thrive.

Published: 30 July 2021

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Priorities for the Music Education Workforce

MU Deputy General Secretary Talks to M Magazine on Ending Sexual Harassment at Work

Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity Publishes Report Into Representation and Conflict in the Entertainment Trade Unions

Marking TUC Young Workers Month This November

Green Pension Guide Released in World First Move by Make My Money Matter

MU Calls for Investment in Musicians Following Budget Announcement

The MU Education Conference – a Celebration of Musicians who Teach

Love Music Hate Racism Special Episode Features Vice Chair of the MU EDI Committee

Music Support to Run Addiction and Recovery Workshop For Musicians

UK Music Report Reveals Economic Impact of Covid-19

The MU Supports "Being Black in The UK Music Industry" Report Recommendations

TUC Publish Handy Primer On Engaging With Your Employer About Climate Change

Music Declares Emergency to Host First Climate Music Blowout Event

Free Online Training Opportunity Opens for Those Working Within the Scottish Youth Arts Sector

The MU at Labour and Conservative Party Conferences

MU Signs Letter in Support of Campaign to Protect Afghanistan’s Musicians

MU EC Member Speaks to BBC News Following Keir Starmer’s Commitment to Music Education

Looking Back, Moving Forward: MU Member Diljeet Bhachu’s Opening Speech to the STUC Black Workers’ Conference

Final Announcements on Discounts and Sessions as Education Conference Approaches

Revisit our Playlist Archives for Black History Month

Feldenkrais Method for Musicians – Why do it?

Lobbying Update: Government Must Invest in Musicians This Autumn

MU Urges New Education Secretary and Schools Minister to Work Together to Protect Music Education

MU Writes to New DCMS Secretary of State Highlighting Impacts of Brexit and Covid-19

MU Deputy General Secretary Attends Meeting with Scotland’s First Minister on Measures Against Covid-19

Vaccination Certification Will Become Mandatory for Various Events in Scotland

Together With The Ivors Academy We’re Calling For Support For Shielding Musicians and Music Creators

Harbourside Management Research Highlights How Workers Fear to Disclose Disability

Women and Equalities Select Committee Menopause Inquiry

Freelance Parents and Carers Encouraged to Take PiPA’s Survey

#ThisIsNotWorking: Call From Musicians and Music Industry Workforce For Abuse to End

Exploring Green Pension Investments as the Most Powerful Thing You Can Do to Protect The Planet

How Mothers are Fighting Workplace Discrimination in Music

Graduates Share Their Concerns About The Devastating Impact of Government Funding Cuts to HE Arts and Music Subjects

Help Save Stratford Circus a Dedicated London Arts Space

The Importance of the MU Political Fund

Musician Speaks Out on Discrimination Faced During Pregnancy

Next Steps for England’s National Plan for Music Education Announced

Scottish Classical Music Green Guide Launched by the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group

MU Moves to Support Girls I Rate as Part of UK Music 10-Point Plan