MU Expresses Solidarity with Night-Time Workers in Face of ULEZ Extension MU London Regional Organiser Jamie Pullman discusses the issues that the extended ULEZ scheme presents to Night-Time workers in London, and how the MU has argued and is continuing to argue for a fairer system. Published: 24 March 2023 Read more about MU Expresses Solidarity with Night-Time Workers in Face of ULEZ Extension
BBC Announce BBC Singers Will Not be Closing on 30 September Following intense discussions with the MU, a petition reaching over 120,000 signatures, and musicians and supporters rallying against the proposed job cuts, the announcement comes as very welcome news. Published: 24 March 2023 Read more about BBC Announce BBC Singers Will Not be Closing on 30 September
Britten Sinfonia Launch Play On Donation Appeal The East of England Orchestra has launched the £1 million appeal following withdrawal of its funding as an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation. Published: 23 March 2023 Read more about Britten Sinfonia Launch Play On Donation Appeal
Campaign for Female Mediocrity In this guest blog, Her Ensemble member, orchestral and chamber musician Christine Anderson shares her experiences and thoughts on women and diversity within the classical music industry. Published: 23 March 2023 Read more about Campaign for Female Mediocrity
Plans to Axe BBC Singers Threaten Future of Freelancers and Young Singers Across the UK Mezzo Lorna Price explains what BBC proposals to axe BBC Singers means for hundreds of freelancers and in particular, young musicians starting their careers. Published: 23 March 2023 Read more about Plans to Axe BBC Singers Threaten Future of Freelancers and Young Singers Across the UK
Council of Music Makers Calls on Labels, Publishers and Streaming Platforms to Unite on Streaming Reforms The Council of Music Makers, which includes the Musicians’ Union, is calling on industry to unite to fix streaming. Published: 22 March 2023 Read more about Council of Music Makers Calls on Labels, Publishers and Streaming Platforms to Unite on Streaming Reforms
10 Tips to Help Musicians Make Money from Patreon One decade on from the launch of Patreon, the MU focuses on how to get the best out of this popular membership subscription platform. Published: 21 March 2023 Read more about 10 Tips to Help Musicians Make Money from Patreon
Shape What the MU Does For You Over the Next Two Years: Submit a Motion to MU Delegate Conference Create change in the Musicians’ Union, in your sector or in the wider music industry - submit a motion to MU Delegate Conference. Published: 21 March 2023 Read more about Shape What the MU Does For You Over the Next Two Years: Submit a Motion to MU Delegate Conference
The BBC Singers in Their Own Words BBC Singers explain who they are, what they do, and why the UK’s only full-time professional choir is crucial to the future of classical music. Published: 20 March 2023 Read more about The BBC Singers in Their Own Words
It’s Important For Members to Have a Platform: Creating Positive Change in Wales and South West England Wales and South West England Regional Officer Ruth Ballantyne looks at how to create positive change by getting involved in MU Delegate Conference. Published: 20 March 2023 Read more about It’s Important For Members to Have a Platform: Creating Positive Change in Wales and South West England
How to Overcome Performance Anxiety With over 70% of UK musicians suffering from anxiety in their public-facing work, leading UK performance and speaking coach Jimmy Cannon talks about root causes, quick fixes and long-term solutions to the issue. Published: 20 March 2023 Read more about How to Overcome Performance Anxiety
Depping Out: an Essential Guide for Function Band Musicians Practical and legal implications to consider when depping out gigs as a function band. Published: 17 March 2023 Read more about Depping Out: an Essential Guide for Function Band Musicians
Petition to Save the BBC Singers Reaches 120,000 Signatures Since the BBC announced cuts to its employed Performing Groups last Tuesday, significant public and industry support has been expressed for the BBC Singers and the three affected BBC orchestras: the BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC Philharmonic. Published: 16 March 2023 Read more about Petition to Save the BBC Singers Reaches 120,000 Signatures
Scotland Lobbying Update: The Need for Ongoing and Sustainable Investment A brief update on recent lobbying activity in Scotland from MU Regional Organiser for Scotland & Northern Ireland Caroline Sewell, who has been discussing arts funding, instrumental music provision and the wellbeing economy amongst other issues. Published: 16 March 2023 Read more about Scotland Lobbying Update: The Need for Ongoing and Sustainable Investment
Square Peg in a Round Hole: Jon Hart on Navigating the Industry as a Neurodivergent Musician This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, award-winning acoustic artist and MU member Jon Hart shares his experiences of breaking through conformity, and explains how although career success may come and go, music as true self-representation is always a constant. Published: 16 March 2023 Read more about Square Peg in a Round Hole: Jon Hart on Navigating the Industry as a Neurodivergent Musician
MU Achieves Budget Success on Orchestra and Theatre Tax Relief Theatre and Orchestra tax relief will be maintained at current levels for another two years. Published: 15 March 2023 Read more about MU Achieves Budget Success on Orchestra and Theatre Tax Relief
Success at Oscars for UK Session Musicians Our members and approved contractors contributed to some of the soundtracks of the very best films won and nominated. Published: 15 March 2023 Read more about Success at Oscars for UK Session Musicians
Number of Women in West End Bands at Record High Now that the percentage of female players in the West End has reached a record high of 27%, we’re reflecting on how vital it is that every union member working in the West End feels represented on the Committee. Published: 14 March 2023 Read more about Number of Women in West End Bands at Record High
Arts Council England Proposes Reduced Number of Music Hubs A proposal to reduce the number of Music Hubs from 116 to 43, to be accomplished by merging the existing Music Hub areas, is out to public consultation until 31 March. Anyone with an interest in Music Hubs should complete the consultation. Published: 14 March 2023 Read more about Arts Council England Proposes Reduced Number of Music Hubs
How Peripatetic Music Teachers Are Coping in the Post-Covid Lockdown Era Assessing how peri music teachers are coping with education cuts, the cost of living crisis and the ongoing erosion of music provision in schools. Published: 13 March 2023 Read more about How Peripatetic Music Teachers Are Coping in the Post-Covid Lockdown Era
I Wouldn’t Be Without It: Anna Neale on ADHD and Autism As part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week 13-19 March 2023, MU Member Anna Neale discusses her personal experience of the brilliance and burnout of ADHD and Autism. Published: 13 March 2023 Read more about I Wouldn’t Be Without It: Anna Neale on ADHD and Autism
Musicians and Supporters Rally Behind BBC Singers and Orchestras Facing Job Cuts Musicians and supporters are rallying behind BBC Singers and Orchestras affected by proposed job cuts – taking action, sharing on social media, and keeping the issue in the press. Published: 10 March 2023 Read more about Musicians and Supporters Rally Behind BBC Singers and Orchestras Facing Job Cuts
MU Representing and Supporting BBC Singers and Orchestras Members Affected by Job Cuts Proposals The MU is working closely with BBC Singers and Orchestras facing job cuts – here's what the union is doing and how you can show your support. Published: 10 March 2023 Read more about MU Representing and Supporting BBC Singers and Orchestras Members Affected by Job Cuts Proposals
Less than 24 hours left to take the Musicians’ Census 2023 Help the Musicians’ Union help every musician: take the Musicians’ Census 2023 and enter a prize draw to win a £300 One4All gift card. Published: 08 March 2023 Read more about Less than 24 hours left to take the Musicians’ Census 2023
MU Meets with Organisers of Doune the Rabbit Hole Following Liquidation We understand that the festival plans on repaying outstanding debts realistically over the next three years, and encourage members planning to work at the 2023 event to contact the MU for advice on agreements and rates. Published: 08 March 2023 Read more about MU Meets with Organisers of Doune the Rabbit Hole Following Liquidation
MU Fighting Job Cuts to BBC Singers and Orchestras: Email Your MP for Support The MU is in urgent talks with the BBC to save musicians’ jobs following the corporation’s proposals to cut employed posts across BBC Singers and three orchestras. Published: 07 March 2023 Read more about MU Fighting Job Cuts to BBC Singers and Orchestras: Email Your MP for Support
There’s Still Time to Take the Musicians’ Census 2023 Artists Samantha Togni and Robin Rimbaud, aka Scanner, explain why the Musicians’ Census is important for all musicians – including DJs and electronic artists. Published: 07 March 2023 Read more about There’s Still Time to Take the Musicians’ Census 2023
Adam Ficek’s Reflections On The Complexity Of Being a Musician Who Teaches Last year the MU partnered with Tonic Rider and Help Musicians to provide a Peer Support Group for music teachers. The group was facilitated by musician and psychotherapist Adam Ficek who explains here the benefits of connecting with our peers. Published: 06 March 2023 Read more about Adam Ficek’s Reflections On The Complexity Of Being a Musician Who Teaches
MU Partners With Her Ensemble To Celebrate Women’s History Month 2023 This Women’s History Month the MU is excited to be partnering with Her Ensemble, a free-form group who are challenging classical music norms, gender stereotypes, dress codes and more. Published: 03 March 2023 Read more about MU Partners With Her Ensemble To Celebrate Women’s History Month 2023
The MU and Come Play With Me Strive to Improve Landscape for LGBTQ+ Musicians As LGBT+ History Month UK comes to an end, The MU and Come Play with Me (CPWM) would like to reaffirm our commitment to creating an industry and society where all LGBTQ+ people can live and work without fear of violence or discrimination. Published: 02 March 2023 Read more about The MU and Come Play With Me Strive to Improve Landscape for LGBTQ+ Musicians
Update on Proposed US Visa Petition Fee increase The MU and other music industry bodies in the UK have signed a joint letter from UK Music to Kemi Badenoch MP (Secretary of State for Business and Trade), setting out our serious concerns for the future of US touring should the proposed increases in the US become law. Published: 01 March 2023 Read more about Update on Proposed US Visa Petition Fee increase
Why Every Musician Should Take Part in the Musicians’ Census 2023 Music Works Podcast spoke to MU member Linton Stephens about the first contemporary Musicians’ Census and why every musician should take it. Published: 01 March 2023 Read more about Why Every Musician Should Take Part in the Musicians’ Census 2023
Why I used the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme MU Education Section Committee member Sam Murray shares how they used their membership to access musician-specialist audiologists and bespoke hearing protection. Published: 28 February 2023 Read more about Why I used the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme
MU at the 2023 Music and Drama Education Expo MU officials met and spoke to many members working in music education at the UK’s largest exhibition for music educators, which was held 23-24 February in London. Published: 28 February 2023 Read more about MU at the 2023 Music and Drama Education Expo
“By Means of Printed Questionnaires” - An Archival View of The Musicians’ Census Today’s Musicians’ Census is not the first time the MU has attempted to capture a comprehensive picture of musical life across the UK and here, University Archivist Karl Magee looks back 75 years to the very first. Published: 28 February 2023 Read more about “By Means of Printed Questionnaires” - An Archival View of The Musicians’ Census
Cornwall Council runs Survey of Cornwall’s Creative Industry Members in Cornwall are encouraged to take part in Cornwall Council’s survey of the creative industry, with the aim of understanding, growing and strengthening the sector. Published: 24 February 2023 Read more about Cornwall Council runs Survey of Cornwall’s Creative Industry
New and Updated MU Teaching Contracts Published MU members can now access updated teaching contract templates as well as two new template contracts. Published: 23 February 2023 Read more about New and Updated MU Teaching Contracts Published
MU Contributes to New International Standards on Rights and Mobility for Arts and Entertainment Sector Workers Our General Secretary and Head of International represented the union and helped form a genuinely inclusive text for industry workers as part of ILOs negotiation meeting. Published: 20 February 2023 Read more about MU Contributes to New International Standards on Rights and Mobility for Arts and Entertainment Sector Workers
The Importance of Hearing Damage Prevention in Musicians’ Work Hearing health is probably the most precious tool musicians have, but many of us are taking it for granted. Published: 18 February 2023 Read more about The Importance of Hearing Damage Prevention in Musicians’ Work
Success in Collective Bargaining Negotiations for MU’s Recording and Broadcasting Department The team have completed a long round of Collective Bargaining negotiations with PACT, BBC, ITV, IPA and Sky. Published: 16 February 2023 Read more about Success in Collective Bargaining Negotiations for MU’s Recording and Broadcasting Department