8 Ways to Combat Creative Block Even the most prolific songwriters and composers have moments when inspiration fails to materialise. But there are techniques you can use to avert hitting creative brick walls. Published: 17 December 2022 Read more about 8 Ways to Combat Creative Block
Executive Committee Chair Commits to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at MU Members’ Conference Chair of the Musicians’ Union Executive Committee Alex Gascoine opened Members’ Conference with a clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Published: 16 December 2022 Read more about Executive Committee Chair Commits to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at MU Members’ Conference
Problems on French Trains for Musicians with Large Instruments A recent meeting of the International Federation of Musicians Europe group has revealed that musicians with large instruments such as double basses are being stopped from travelling on some French trains. Published: 16 December 2022 Read more about Problems on French Trains for Musicians with Large Instruments
Solidarity and the Cost of Living Crisis The MU would like to express solidarity with other union workers who are on strike this week, including nurses, postal workers and railway staff. Published: 16 December 2022 Read more about Solidarity and the Cost of Living Crisis
MU Demands Clarity from ENO Chief Executive Regarding Future Location ENO’s chief executive suddenly seems to have accepted that the company will be based outside London. The MU disagrees and is seeking urgent clarification. Published: 16 December 2022 Read more about MU Demands Clarity from ENO Chief Executive Regarding Future Location
Home Made Agreements: Key Information Bookings and an increase in ‘home made’ agreements were on the agenda at the latest MU’s Wales and South West England Regional Committee meeting. What does that mean for you? Published: 16 December 2022 Read more about Home Made Agreements: Key Information
Celebrating Culturally Diverse Organisations in the Arts Council England National Portfolio We need more arts funding, not less, to make sure that a career as a musician is available and accessible to everyone. Published: 14 December 2022 Read more about Celebrating Culturally Diverse Organisations in the Arts Council England National Portfolio
Updated MU Subscription Rates for 2023 In order to continue providing members with the best possible service and benefits the MU Executive Committee has approved an increase to membership subscription fees to apply from 1 January 2023. Published: 14 December 2022 Read more about Updated MU Subscription Rates for 2023
YouTube Tutorials: How They Can Benefit You and Your Business YouTube is a valuable tool for enhancing music teaching, adding revenue and expanding your global reach. Here, three musicians discuss how the platform works for them. Published: 13 December 2022 Read more about YouTube Tutorials: How They Can Benefit You and Your Business
Bursary Available For a Disabled Woman MU Member to Access Leadership Development Programme A full bursary will be available for the transformational leadership development programme, the Music Leaders Network, and we will be running an online drop in information session on Wednesday 11 January. Published: 12 December 2022 Read more about Bursary Available For a Disabled Woman MU Member to Access Leadership Development Programme
MU Supports Latest ENO Statement on Funding Cuts The MU agrees with English National Opera that Arts Council England needs to provide further clarity, and the Union remains committed to fighting the cuts altogether. Published: 09 December 2022 Read more about MU Supports Latest ENO Statement on Funding Cuts
MU Supports UCU at Strike Rally MU officials joined the UCU rally on Wednesday 30 November to show our solidarity and support. Published: 09 December 2022 Read more about MU Supports UCU at Strike Rally
Stage Patter: How to Talk to Your Audience Talking to an audience between songs is a much-overlooked skill and one that most musicians have to work at, but it can bring a whole new dimension to your set. Published: 08 December 2022 Read more about Stage Patter: How to Talk to Your Audience
DHM: As My World Changed, Music Remained a Constant emzae, one of the Attitude is Everything’s Next Stages artists, shares her story of being a chronically ill full-time musician, and the platform that being a musician has provided for her. Published: 08 December 2022 Read more about DHM: As My World Changed, Music Remained a Constant
Free Places on Coaching and Mentoring for Creatives Course for MU Members in Wales CULT Cymru’s Leadership and Management endorsed coaching and mentoring course is open again for applications, usually £300 to attend, the course is free to MU members (less £50 deposit). Published: 07 December 2022 Read more about Free Places on Coaching and Mentoring for Creatives Course for MU Members in Wales
Subsidised Rates Increase for MU/UK Theatre New Subsidised rates have now been agreed for members for the MU/UK theatre agreement, and will be backdated to May 2022. Published: 02 December 2022 Read more about Subsidised Rates Increase for MU/UK Theatre
Music Production: Getting Creative in the Recording Studio Music production is pivotal to recording great music. Here, three music producers reveal their creative approaches and their dos and don’ts in the recording studio. Published: 02 December 2022 Read more about Music Production: Getting Creative in the Recording Studio
Busking and Street Entertainment Policy Review Survey Members who are currently licensed under, or have been licensed under Westminster City Council’s busking and street entertainment policy are encouraged to take their survey, to help the council understand its key themes and issues. Published: 01 December 2022 Read more about Busking and Street Entertainment Policy Review Survey
STUC Scotland to Hold Demo Outside of Scottish Parliament The STUC are inviting trade union members from across Scotland to join them on Thursday 8 December for a pre-budget demonstration outside Scottish parliament in support of the People’s Plan for Action. Published: 01 December 2022 Read more about STUC Scotland to Hold Demo Outside of Scottish Parliament
Disability History Month: The Contribution of Lived Experience MU Member Audrey Gray, Creative Projects Manager and CEO of Gospel Music Industry Alliance (GMIA) talks about her experience as a member of multiple EDI Networks and how lived experiences can contribute to much needed solutions. Published: 01 December 2022 Read more about Disability History Month: The Contribution of Lived Experience
Competition and Markets Authority Says Low Pay From Music Streaming Not a Competition Issue The Competition and Markets Authority has published its final report after campaigning by the Musicians’ Union, the Ivors Academy and Broken Record. Published: 30 November 2022 Read more about Competition and Markets Authority Says Low Pay From Music Streaming Not a Competition Issue
CITES CoP19 Agrees to Keep Pernambuco on Appendix II Commercial and non-commercial movement of Pernambuco bows can continue to take place. Published: 29 November 2022 Read more about CITES CoP19 Agrees to Keep Pernambuco on Appendix II
Tribute to Brian Blain A tireless advocate for UK jazz and its musicians, the union official, promoter, writer, and activist Brian Blain has died aged 92. Published: 24 November 2022 Read more about Tribute to Brian Blain
MU to Present Award at 2022 Scottish Trad Music Awards ​The MU are delighted to support the 2022 Scots Trad Music Awards and present the award for ‘Venue of the Year’ at the events 20th anniversary in December. Published: 24 November 2022 Read more about MU to Present Award at 2022 Scottish Trad Music Awards
Future of Music Education Hubs Clarified by Arts Council England Long awaited details have been provided of the timeline for a bidding process for new hubs, with funding for the current hubs now safe until August 2024. Published: 24 November 2022 Read more about Future of Music Education Hubs Clarified by Arts Council England
MU Education Section Reaches 10,000 Members As of November, the number of members in the MU’s Education Section is now over 10,000 – approximately a one-third increase since 2020, demonstrating the importance of teaching and education to MU members. Published: 24 November 2022 Read more about MU Education Section Reaches 10,000 Members
UK Music Unveils 2022 Workforce Diversity Survey Results and Action Plan UK Music has launched its Diversity Report 2022, including the findings of its Workforce Diversity Survey 2022 and an action plan for long-term change. Published: 24 November 2022 Read more about UK Music Unveils 2022 Workforce Diversity Survey Results and Action Plan
Entertainment Unions Protest Outside Government Department MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl today joined members in a protest outside DCMS to demand an increase in arts funding. Published: 22 November 2022 Read more about Entertainment Unions Protest Outside Government Department
Disability History Month: Being a Deaf Musician is not Easy In our first special feature from Disabled History Month, Professional Musician and member of the MU Executive Committee and ED&I Committee, Nigel Braithwaite talks about his experiences of being a disabled musician. Published: 21 November 2022 Read more about Disability History Month: Being a Deaf Musician is not Easy
Take Part in Arts Council England Funding Cuts Protest on Tuesday 22 November Join MU, Equity and BECTU members outside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for a protest against cuts to English National Opera and other arts organisations. Published: 18 November 2022 Read more about Take Part in Arts Council England Funding Cuts Protest on Tuesday 22 November
Fix Streaming: MU General Secretary at DCMS Select Committee MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl appeared at the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee on Tuesday to answer questions on music streaming and fair remuneration for musicians. Published: 18 November 2022 Read more about Fix Streaming: MU General Secretary at DCMS Select Committee
Black Lives in Music Celebrate Their Second Year Anniversary The MU is proud to be an official partner organisation of Black Lives in Music, who are celebrating two incredible years of advocating for Black representation in the music industry. Published: 18 November 2022 Read more about Black Lives in Music Celebrate Their Second Year Anniversary
Protecting Yourself Online Following Recent Changes at Twitter Recent events at Twitter have led to changes that may leave users more exposed to harm on the platform. Published: 17 November 2022 Read more about Protecting Yourself Online Following Recent Changes at Twitter
MU Sponsors Innovation Award at the Ivors Composer Awards The Ivors Academy revealed the twelve winners at the 20th edition of The Ivors Composer Awards, celebrating the best new music in classical, jazz and sound art. Published: 17 November 2022 Read more about MU Sponsors Innovation Award at the Ivors Composer Awards
Tribute to Rab Noakes Rab Noakes was a singer, songwriter and guitarist whose long-term involvement and commitment to the Musicians’ Union began in the 1970s. He was a great musician, a committed union activist and a champion of diversity. Published: 16 November 2022 Read more about Tribute to Rab Noakes
The Scottish Alternative Music Awards Are Set to Return to Glasgow The key music event will be returning on 8 December 2022 to Saint Luke’s in Glasgow, featuring acts such as VLURE, The Honey Farm and Becky Sikasa. Published: 14 November 2022 Read more about The Scottish Alternative Music Awards Are Set to Return to Glasgow
Music For Youth Proms Returning for 2022 The Music For Youth Proms will return again on 15 and 16 November this year. The MU is a major sponsor of Music For Youth, who do incredible work supporting the next generation to make music. Published: 11 November 2022 Read more about Music For Youth Proms Returning for 2022
MU Meets with Arts Council England Following Arts Funding Cuts MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has met with Arts Council England (ACE) as the union campaigns to reverse damaging funding cuts to English National Opera and others. Published: 11 November 2022 Read more about MU Meets with Arts Council England Following Arts Funding Cuts
Resources for National Stress Awareness Week Work related stress is a trade union issue. For National Stress Awareness Week running 7-11 November we’ve put together a reminder on the resources available to members. Published: 11 November 2022 Read more about Resources for National Stress Awareness Week
What is a Motion and How Do You Write One For MU Delegate Conference? Trade unions are full of jargon. One of our favourites is the word ‘motion’. But, like most bits of jargon, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Published: 10 November 2022 Read more about What is a Motion and How Do You Write One For MU Delegate Conference?