News & Stories for Musicians

MU Member's Response to the Guidance on Playing Wind and Brass Instruments

Richard Steggall has written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in response to the recent announcements regarding the guidance on playing wind and brass instruments.

Published: 10 July 2020

The Usher Hall, a concert hall in Edinburgh

Vital Performing Arts Venue Funding Announced for Scotland

A £10 million fund to support Scotland’s performing arts venues has been announced by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop.

Published: 03 July 2020

£4m Lifeline for the Arts Sector in Northern Ireland Announced

Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín announced a major £4 million lifeline for the arts sector in Northern Ireland, as part of the Executive’s June Monitoring round.

Published: 02 July 2020

Recording Studio Guidance Published by Scottish Government

The Scottish Government has published new guidance for the creative industries, in particular for providers and users of creative studios in Scotland, for safer working during the coronavirus pandemic.

Published: 01 July 2020

A memorial outside of the Stonewall Inn during Pride month 2016, marking the Orlando shootings which affected Black and POC LGBT communities that year

Pride Month: The First Pride was a Riot

Our Education and Equalities Officer, Rose Delcour‑Min, discusses how supporting the present and future of LGBTQ rights must involve recognising the ways that sexuality, gender and race intersect.

Published: 23 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

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

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BBC Academy’s Lockdown Learning Now Open to FEU Freelance Members

The BBC Academy have opened up their training programs to members of the Federation of Entertainment Unions – of which the MU is a part. Our members can now pick up training on a wide variety of programs between 18 May and 31 July.

Published: 20 May 2020

Scottish Members Encouraged to Submit Stories to Scottish Parliament

Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee is undertaking an inquiry into the impact of Covid-19 on the culture and tourism sectors. They’re keen to hear from artists, including individual musicians, to bolster their understanding.

Published: 20 May 2020

Support Fair Play Venues Affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic

Many live music venues are having to fundraise to secure their futures, here is a list of crowdfunders that have been set up for venues which have signed up to our Fair Play scheme. If you are in a position to donate, or to share their crowdfunders on your social channels, please do.

Published: 15 May 2020

Northern Ireland Launches Support Fund for Arts Sector

Northern Ireland's Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has announced funding of £1.5 million to support individuals and organisations in the Arts Sector in response to Covid-19.

Published: 27 April 2020

Photograph of two people playing fiddle at a wedding. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Creative Scotland Opens Bridging Bursary for Second Phase of Requests

Creative Scotland have announced an extra £2M of funding, open to individual artists and freelancers in Scotland who have lost income from their creative work due to COVID-19.

Published: 21 April 2020

Belfast City Hall in Northern Ireland, UK

Arts Council Northern Ireland Announce Funding for Key Arts Organisations

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) have announced annual funding of £12.9 million for 97 key arts organisations from its exchequer and National Lottery resources.

Published: 16 April 2020

Old town Edinburgh and Edinburgh castle in Scotland UK

Scottish Government Announces Second Phase of Funding

There has been a funding update from the Scottish Government, who have announced a second phase of funding to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

Published: 16 April 2020

three people sitting hold the shapes of comment boxes and thought clouds

Scottish Members Encouraged to Respond to STUC Survey on Job Security

Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) launches new survey to find out what is happening to workers’ safety and jobs across Scotland.

Published: 31 March 2020

Northern Ireland Communities Minister Announces Support for Performers

Northern Ireland Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA instructed officials to put in place immediate and practical steps to help support Artists, Performers and Creative Producers across the arts and cultural sector.

Published: 30 March 2020

Happy man with a guitar against blue background

Creative Scotland Launches Three New Funding Programs

The new funds announced by Creative Scotland on 27 March are designed to provide further support to sustain Scotland’s creative community during the coronavirus outbreak. Two of these funds open for applications today.

Published: 30 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

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

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

Arts Council Northern Ireland Publishes Coronavirus Response

Arts Council Northern Ireland have stated that their priority is to support people who work in the arts through the challenges they may face over the coming months as a result of Coronavirus.

Published: 20 March 2020

Scottish Government Announces Support for Scottish Businesses

Scottish Government has announced a further package of support which will be available for Scottish businesses.

Published: 19 March 2020

Photograph of a person playing guitar on an outdoor stage.

Arts Council Northern Ireland Releases Annual Funding Survey Results

Arts Council Northern Ireland recently published its findings from a survey of 102 arts and culture organisations in receipt of funding through its Annual Funding Programme.

Published: 05 March 2020

Fight Not Over for Edinburgh Music Service

City of Edinburgh Council has passed a budget that includes significant cuts to our instrumental music service. But the fight is not over yet.

Published: 21 February 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

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 small suitcases in an aircraft cabin stowage

Flybe Amends Cabin Baggage to Allow for Small Instruments

Flybe has listened to the concerns of musicians, and following a letter sent by the MU late last year, has amended its cabin baggage terms and conditions to accommodate small instruments.

Published: 06 January 2020

16 Days of Activism with UN Women: Protected Characteristics

Over 48% of Musicians’ Union members surveyed have experienced sexual harassment at work. Shockingly, a third of those people say their harassment was related to a protected characteristic, and another 21% said they were not sure.

Published: 03 December 2019

Photograph of child running through autumn leaves, holding a violin and bow

Scottish Women Inventing Music (SWIM) Call for Regional Champions

SWIM is a new charity dedicated to levelling the playing field for women in music. Based in Scotland, membership is comprised of female music creators and industry professionals, based in Scotland.

Published: 29 October 2019

Photograph of the inside of a club with blurred bar lights.

Sub Club Under Threat

The Sub Club has a global reputation and has been a stalwart of Glasgow’s electronic music scene for the past 25 years.

Published: 29 October 2019

Member Discount at Kenny's Music Shops Across Scotland

We are delighted to announce a new discount with Kenny's Music for MU members in all four of their shops across Scotland.

Published: 02 October 2019

MU/UK Theatre agreement

Following the agreement being implemented in 2018 for a 3 year period.

Published: 28 August 2019

Invite Your MP to Talk to the MU this Party Conference Season

Is your MP from the Labour or Conservative party? Invite them to talk to us this party conference season, as we go to Labour and Conservative party conferences to talk about the big issues affecting musicians.

Published: 21 August 2019

A woman holding a phone with the footage of people walking on street stairs in Edinburgh

Edinburgh International Festival August 2019: An Opportunity for Trade Unionists

The Edinburgh International Festival is running a series of discussions aimed at promoting dialogue between community activists, citizens and arts professionals.

Published: 02 August 2019

Empty stage in the dark with the microphone in the spotlight

Standing Up for Diversity in Music Industry

MU members have raised concerns regarding a promoter's view that bands should not highlight their diverse make up, and that doing so is a form of tokenism that will prevent them from being booked.

Published: 30 July 2019

conference room filled with members , Dave Webster leading the discussion

First Ever Members' Conference Brings in Voices from Across the Union

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge today introduced the Union’s first ever Members' Conference – which saw members and officials from across the regions, as well as the Union’s Executive Committee (EC), coming together to discuss essential decisions for the future of the MU.

Published: 24 July 2019

MU Conference Plea to New Prime Minister – Don’t Drag Us Off The Cliff

The first MU conference under General Secretary Horace Trubridge kicked off today with clear calls for the Government to protect freedom of movement for touring musicians and to invest in the music education sector.

Published: 23 July 2019

Woman holding her back, exhibiting symptoms of pain

Scottish Members Asked to Complete Survey on Musculoskeletal Injury

Chartered Physiotherapist and BAPAM (British Association of Performing Arts Medicine) practitioner Maria J Lopez is inviting all musicians living within Scotland to complete a short questionnaire on current musculoskeletal injury rates.

Published: 09 July 2019

Feminine presenting person playing a drum kit

QMU Becomes First Scottish Venue to Sign the Keychange 50/50 Pledge

The Queen Margaret Union (QMU), a students’ union at the University of Glasgow, has become the first live venue in Scotland to sign the Keychange 50/50 pledge – committing to achieving a 50/50 gender balance in their performers by 2022.

Published: 28 June 2019

Photo from the Women's march in 2018, person holding large sign reading

MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl talks to BBC Woman’s Hour about sexual harassment in music

MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to BBC Woman’s Hour about sexism, sexual harassment and abuse in the music industry following a Newsbeat investigation into the harassment experienced by fans.

Published: 11 June 2019

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