News & Stories for Musicians

Northern Ballet orchestra musicians performing as part of a demo.

Northern Ballet: Update on Negotiations

Northern Ballet have decided not to extend our agreement with them under existing terms, meaning any work offered by them is currently under non-union terms.

Published: 09 January 2025

Northern Ballet demo in October, members are holding signs saying keep northern ballet live.

Musicians’ Unions Worldwide Back Call to Save Northern Ballet’s Orchestra

The International Federation of Musicians backs Northern Ballet Sinfonia in a message of solidarity signed by over 20 musicians’ unions worldwide

Published: 05 November 2024

MU Statement on Northern Ballet and Opera North Partnership

The MU is deeply concerned to learn that Northern Ballet have announced plans which may cut their long-standing orchestra players.

Published: 18 October 2024

MU staff, members and supporters wearing keep Northern Ballet Live t-shirts and Shakespeare masks at an earlier demo in May 2024.

Keep Northern Ballet Live Campaign Takes Action Ahead of First Performance with Recorded Music

Supporters will be leafleting today ahead of opening night for Northern Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet, highlighting the tragedy of lost live music as it uses recorded tracks instead of the orchestra for the first time.

Published: 19 September 2024

Protesters stood outside the theatre all wearing Shakespeare masks and ruffs, holding up signs saying keep Northern Ballet live.

Musicians Protest Ahead of Romeo & Juliet Performance to Keep Northern Ballet Live

Ahead of the first performance of Northern Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet in London earlier this week, members of the Northern Ballet Sinfonia dressed as Shakespeare and took to the streets to protest against plans to replace the live orchestra with recorded music.

Published: 30 May 2024

Person holding a 'Keep Northern Ballet Live' sign after a rally in late 2023.

MU Rejects Use of Recorded Music to Replace Live Orchestra at Northern Ballet

Northern Ballet is replacing musicians in its orchestra with recorded music for some touring productions.

Published: 08 February 2024

Some of the musicians and supporters from the demo at Newcastle Theatre Royal on 10 November, holding MU banners and signs saying “Keep Northern Ballet Live”.

Keep Northern Ballet Live Petition Surges Past 10,000 Signatures

Over 10,000 people have signed the petition urging Arts Council England to keep Northern Ballet music live.

Published: 27 November 2023

Musicians and supporters holding MU flags and ‘Keep Northern Ballet Live’ signs, outside the Newcastle Theatre Royal on 10 November.

Trade Union Movement Calls on Arts Council England to Keep Northern Ballet Music Live

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak joined musicians from Northern Ballet Sinfonia and supporters from across the union movement in Newcastle, who were campaigning to keep Northern Ballet live.

Published: 14 November 2023

Instruments and music sheets in an empty orchestra pit with no players.

BBC Radio 4 Spotlights Keep Northern Ballet Live Campaign

BBC Radio 4’s Front Row heard from MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl on the campaign to keep Northern Ballet music live and why it comes down to Arts Council England.

Published: 08 November 2023

A quartet plays in an entrance foyer, displaying

Email Your MP to Keep Northern Ballet Music Live

Northern Ballet Sinfonia musicians are campaigning to protect their jobs and keep Northern Ballet Live. Email your MP for support.

Published: 31 October 2023

Darkly lit orchestra pit with musicians and music sheets.

Les Mis and Miss Saigon Composer Claude-Michel Schönberg Backs Northern Ballet Sinfonia Campaign to Keep Northern Ballet Music Live

Legendary composer Claude-Michel Schönberg calls for an Arts Council England solution to protect Northern Ballet musicians.

Published: 25 October 2023

Exterior of the Theater Royal, Nottingham.

International Federation of Musicians Backs Keep Northern Ballet Music Live Campaign

Musicians' Unions worldwide share their solidarity with Northern Ballet Sinfonia and call on Arts Council England to act urgently.

Published: 23 October 2023

Naomi appears on the large screen at the Labour Party conference, and stands in front of a panel

Keep Northern Ballet Music Live Campaign Spotlighted at Labour Party Conference

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl raised Northern Ballet Sinfonia’s campaign to protect their touring work on the main Labour Party Conference stage, at fringe events and MP meetings.

Published: 10 October 2023

Timpani player sits at a drum, hands visible only

Sign the Petition to Keep Northern Ballet Music Live

Musicians in Northern Ballet Sinfonia are campaigning to protect their touring work and keep Northern Ballet music live.

Published: 04 October 2023

Gold ballet shoes in half shadow on a wooden floor

Musicians’ Union Extremely Concerned as Funding Crisis Deepens at Northern Ballet

The MU has today expressed its concern at the situation that has arisen for their members in the Northern Ballet Sinfonia and for the Company of Northern Ballet (NB).

Published: 29 September 2023

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