News & Stories for Musicians

Photograph of a young child standing in front of a chalk board, learning the violin.

We’re Calling on the ABRSM to Diversify Their Syllabi

We've sent a letter on behalf of over 70 organisations, musicians, music teachers and academics to ABRSM, demanding they take meaningful and measurable action to diversify their syllabi.

Published: 03 August 2020

Photograph of three different musicians, with the text

Join for £1 Scheme Extended to Former MU Members

Former members who left the MU five or more years ago can now join again and pay just £1 for their first six months of MU membership.

Published: 22 July 2020

Two adults having a discussion in sign-language

Drake Music Hosts Conversation on Making Online Music Education Accessible

Drake Music is a national arts charity working in music, disability and technology – they’ve publishing findings from their most recent working group meeting on online accessibility.

Published: 16 July 2020

Photograph of a musician in a facemask, holding a guitar and looking fed up.

Music Students Needed for Research Into Covid-19 and Practice Motivation

Music students are invited to take part in Trinity Laban's cross-arts research, which is investigating the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on virtual learning and teaching experiences.

Published: 16 July 2020

a female student and teacher playing piano

New Advice for Teachers Returning to Workplaces

In light of the new Government guidance meaning teachers can begin face to face lessons again in England, we’ve published new advice on returning to work as a teacher.

Published: 14 July 2020

Photograph of a young percussion student sat behind a drum kit.

Members’ PLI Valid from 4 July for Face to Face Teaching

We’ve had confirmation that the Public Liability Insurance which our members are covered by will be valid for face to face teaching in England from 4 July.

Published: 01 July 2020

Photograph of person sat at a computer with their guitar set up to play.

Music Making Online in Real-Time

Musician and educator Alastair Penman discusses web platforms that can make playing together over the internet a possibility, and how to optimise your own system to get the best results.

Published: 25 June 2020

Photo of a young student wearing a mask while playing piano.

Teaching Health & Safety Advice Released

We’ve released new health & safety advice for teachers working during the Covid-19 pandemic, to help members who are considering a return to work prepare.

Published: 15 June 2020

a mother holding her daughter on her shoulders

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

Pregnancy rights charity, Pregnant then Screwed, with support from Doughty Street Chambers and law firm Leigh Day, is threatening legal proceedings against the Chancellor for discriminating against women in the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

Published: 12 June 2020

Adaptive Musical Instruments Guide Launched by Creative United

Creative United has today launched the first edition of its Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments, distributed in partnership with the MU and Normans Musical Instruments.

Published: 10 June 2020

We Will be Participating in #TheShowMustBePaused in Solidarity With our Black Members

The MU stands with our Black members and all Black communities against all forms of racism, violence and discrimination. When we say “behind every musician”, we mean it.

Published: 01 June 2020

Photo of a conductors baton resting across a set of scores

New Ways of Working: Teaching Choirs Online

Kerry Boyle, an experienced singing teacher and choral director, talks us through her personal experience of moving to online teaching with the choirs she works with, and the lessons she’s learnt along the way.

Published: 29 May 2020

Photo of a woman playing drums in isolation

Self Employed Income Support Scheme Extended

We welcome the Government’s announcement that the Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will now open for a second round of applications in August.

Published: 29 May 2020

Inspire Works Uses ACE Funding to Launch New Series of Drumming Workshops

You may remember Inspire Works from our blog, Leading Live Music Workshops Online, in which their co-founder Mike Simpson talked about his own personal experience of moving his teaching to a virtual space.

Published: 20 May 2020

Photograph of a person playing tambourine in a group setting.

New Advice on Online Group Teaching

We’ve published a new advice page with guidance on moving to group teaching online. You can read it now in the teaching online section of our Covid-19 advice pages.

Published: 20 May 2020

Photograph of an empty classroom, desks arranged in groups.

We Support the NEU’s Five Tests for Government Before Schools Can Re-Open

We are supporting the NEU’s five tests for Government before schools can re-open.

Published: 18 May 2020

New Online Teaching Contract for Adult Students

We’ve added to the contracts we have on offer for online teaching, reflecting the change in teaching conditions that many of our members are currently undertaking.

Published: 15 May 2020

New Online Resources for Music Teachers

Three new online resources for music teachers that have been made free for lock down – sheet music downloads, classical music streaming and inspiration from ROSL young musicians.

Published: 07 May 2020

Leading Live Music Workshops Online: From Hysterical Disasters to Lifting Spirits

Mike Simpson, co-founder of Inspire-works, talks us through his own personal trial and error learning experience of setting up group lessons online, and the surprise benefits that he’s discovered.

Published: 04 May 2020

Rockschool Pledges to Donate £5 to NHS for Every Exam Entry

Rockschool, who provide graded exams for contemporary musicians of all levels, are holding their next exam period online to reduce disruption to teachers and students during the coronavirus pandemic.

Published: 29 April 2020

a child learning to play piano online from home

Jumping into Online Teaching: Points to Consider

Rick Finlay, aiming to answer a few questions, and arming us to "get stuck in and see what happens".

Published: 22 April 2020

Millicent Stephenson with a saxophone and mic

Develop Your Music Business from Home with ‘Success Beyond the Score’ Podcast

This podcast series from saxophonist, musician, teacher, songwriter and entrepreneur Millicent Stephenson looks at ways that musicians can move ahead in the music business.

Published: 16 April 2020

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

MU Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez: “Our focus at the moment is on lobbying for members who are currently ineligible for either of the Government’s assistance schemes for employed and self-employed workers.”

Published: 03 April 2020

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Arts Council England (ACE) will be opening round one of applications for the fund on 9 April 2020, providing creative practitioners affected by the coronavirus outbreak with grants of up to £2,500.

Published: 03 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

kids in a band playing imaginary instruments

Life Changing Stories Shared as Part of #SupportMyMusicTeacher

Did your music teacher change your life? We asked our community of musicians on Twitter about the teachers who shaped them.

Published: 02 April 2020

New Contract for Online Teaching

We’ve put together a new contract for teachers moving to online work. The contract can be used digitally, and should cover potential changes to your practice.

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

A woman sitting with a laptop on a sofa at home

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

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

A woman in from of the laptop and in headphones smiling

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

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

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

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 a group of children singing in a school classroom setting. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Join the Call Against City of Edinburgh Council’s Incapacitating Music Service Cuts

Members and music lovers are encouraged to sign our petition, calling on City of Edinburgh Council to let every child learn music, in the wake of the council’s proposition of significant cuts to its instrumental music service.

Published: 14 February 2020

Photo of children learning on percussion instruments in a group setting.

The MU Partners up With ‘Learn to Play Day’ for Second Year Running

Learn to Play Day is a nationwide initiative to get people of all ages and abilities playing a musical instrument and will take place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March 2020.

Published: 14 February 2020

Photograph of children practising string instruments in classroom setting.

Benedetti Foundation Opens Applications for Teacher Training and Student Workshop Weekend in Dundee

The Benedetti Foundation will be back in Scotland in March, with their next full Benedetti Sessions weekend taking place in Caird Hall, Dundee.

Published: 03 February 2020

Photograph of sheet music on stand, with blurred cello student in the background

Release of Charter for Visiting Music Teachers to Help Schools Provide the Best Support

The MU has produced a Charter for Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) in joint partnership with the NEU, to set out what VMTs require from schools to do their jobs effectively.

Published: 23 January 2020

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All News and Features

We’re Calling on the ABRSM to Diversify Their Syllabi

Join for £1 Scheme Extended to Former MU Members

Drake Music Hosts Conversation on Making Online Music Education Accessible

Music Students Needed for Research Into Covid-19 and Practice Motivation

New Advice for Teachers Returning to Workplaces

Members’ PLI Valid from 4 July for Face to Face Teaching

Music Making Online in Real-Time

Teaching Health & Safety Advice Released

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

Adaptive Musical Instruments Guide Launched by Creative United

We Will be Participating in #TheShowMustBePaused in Solidarity With our Black Members

New Ways of Working: Teaching Choirs Online

Self Employed Income Support Scheme Extended

Inspire Works Uses ACE Funding to Launch New Series of Drumming Workshops

New Advice on Online Group Teaching

We Support the NEU’s Five Tests for Government Before Schools Can Re-Open

New Online Teaching Contract for Adult Students

New Online Resources for Music Teachers

Leading Live Music Workshops Online: From Hysterical Disasters to Lifting Spirits

Rockschool Pledges to Donate £5 to NHS for Every Exam Entry

Jumping into Online Teaching: Points to Consider

Develop Your Music Business from Home with ‘Success Beyond the Score’ Podcast

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

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

Life Changing Stories Shared as Part of #SupportMyMusicTeacher

New Contract for Online Teaching

Jumping into online teaching

Rockschool Ltd Moves Exams to Video Format

Government Announcement on Measures to Protect the Self-Employed Anticipated

Members’ Discount For Two Week Course on Teaching Music Online

The Government Announces a Welcome Plan for the Self-Employed

Teaching Rates Should Still Apply for Online Education

Your Child's Music Teacher Needs You

Music Industry Issues Call to Chancellor for Help During Coronavirus Outbreak

Advice for LGBT+ Musicians Working in Poland

Join the Call Against City of Edinburgh Council’s Incapacitating Music Service Cuts

The MU Partners up With ‘Learn to Play Day’ for Second Year Running

Benedetti Foundation Opens Applications for Teacher Training and Student Workshop Weekend in Dundee

Release of Charter for Visiting Music Teachers to Help Schools Provide the Best Support