News & Stories for Musicians

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Youth Music Open New Fund For Young Creatives

Youth Music have announced the opening of their NextGen Fund, offering grants of £2,500 to young creatives in England with a stack of ideas but a lack of finance.

Published: 08 June 2021

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Over 75 Artists Including The Rolling Stones Join The Call to Fix Streaming

The Rolling Stones, Pet Shop Boys, Emeli Sandé, Barry Gibb, Van Morrison, Sir Tom Jones and the Estates of John Lennon and Joe Strummer have written to the Prime Minister “on behalf of today’s generation of artists, musicians and songwriters here in the UK”.

Published: 07 June 2021

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No Progress On Amateur Choir Restrictions in England

There has been no movement from the Government on their restrictions for amateur choirs in England, despite growing pressure from the MU and others. We’re calling on members to sign the petition to have the matter debated in parliament.

Published: 02 June 2021

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#TheShowMustBePaused One Year On

In this blog, Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl reflects on #TheShowMustBePaused, one year on from this seminal moment in the music industry.

Published: 02 June 2021

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We’ve Launched a New Partnership With the Royal College of Organists

Together with the Royal College of Organists (RCO), we’ve announced a new partnership to deliver services and support for organists and choral directors.

Published: 02 June 2021

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Second WITCiH Digital Festival Celebrates Women in Tech

The Women in Technology Creative Industries Hub (WITCiH) – a platform which aims to elevate women and non-binary creatives in technology – will be running its second festival 9-11 June, with online performances, panels and presentations.

Published: 28 May 2021

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Representing the Interests of Members Globally Through the International Federation of Musicians (FIM)

A report from the 2021 FIM Congress from MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl, discussing issues from the climate crisis to diversity and inclusion in orchestras.

Published: 28 May 2021

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Free Workshop on Building Mental Resilience to be Held by Help Musicians

Leading UK Charity for musicians, Help Musicians, will be holding a free, open to all workshop on building mental resilience, introducing different tools and techniques to maintain your mental wellbeing during difficult times.

Published: 27 May 2021

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Next Kill The Bill Day of Action to Take Place on 29 May

A series of organised protests will be taking place across the UK, calling for the Government to reconsider their Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which risks criminalising the right to peaceful protest, increasing discrimination and undermining democracy.

Published: 26 May 2021

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Survey Reveals Brexit Paperwork is a ‘Complete Nightmare’ For Musicians

According to the results from our new joint survey with the ISM, 77% of musicians expect their earnings in Europe to decrease due to new documents and fees.

Published: 25 May 2021

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MU Still Waiting for Response to Letter Urging Government to Pause Proposed HE Funding Cuts

The letter highlighted the catastrophic impact that the Government's proposed higher education funding cuts could have on music and the arts in the UK.

Published: 21 May 2021

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Help Us Make the Case Against HE Funding Cuts by Taking our Flash Survey

Take action now against the Government’s plans to impose a catastrophic 50% cut in funding for higher education in England – take our brief survey and use your story to speak out.

Published: 21 May 2021

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Mixed Picture for England Under Step 3 – MU Pressures Government Over Choirs

The MU is putting pressure on the Government over some of its restrictions in England.

Published: 19 May 2021

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Marking IDAHOBiT With Resources on Being an LGBT+ Ally

Join us in marking International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBiT) by promoting the TUC’s guidance and documents on being LGBT+ allies with your networks.

Published: 17 May 2021

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Feedback Service Available for Those Applying to Next Round of ACE’s DYCP Fund

With the deadline for ACE’s tenth round of Developing Your Creative Practice funding approaching on 27 May – we’d like to take a moment to remind members about our guidance and feedback service for applications.

Published: 14 May 2021

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Who Will HE Funding Cuts Disproportionately Affect?

An explanation of how cuts to HE Funding for music and arts subjects in England are likely to have a disproportionate effect on disabled, Black, Asian and minority ethnic students and students from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Published: 13 May 2021

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LIVE Release Audience Survey Results on What Events Will Look Like After “Lockdown”

Promising results from LIVE’s survey indicate that music fans are more passionate about going to more shows than before the pandemic started, with only 3% saying they will no longer attend.

Published: 13 May 2021

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Take Action for Carry on Touring Campaign’s Call for Visa Free Travel

Umbrella campaign Carry on Touring are calling touring professionals and artists to join their mass action over social media, by posting a touring ready selfie on Twitter.

Published: 13 May 2021

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Live Streamed Concerts are Here to Stay Concludes Middlesex University London-led Report

The MU were one of the project partners in the research that led to this report, and it now offers musicians an insight into fans’ experiences and expectations of live streamed gigs and concerts.

Published: 13 May 2021

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Music For Youth to Hold Mentoring Workshops for MU Members

Music For Youth will be holding three mentoring workshops for MU members based in London, the North of England, and East & South East England who are interested in finding out more about mentoring roles.

Published: 12 May 2021

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Higher Education Funding Cuts: How Much More Can We Take?

In this blog, MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl discusses the Government’s proposed HE funding cuts in England, that “MU members are at their most passionate when there is a risk to colleagues or the future workforce,” and how we must do everything to fight back.

Published: 11 May 2021

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Mental Health: The Importance of Culturally Specific Understanding for Musicians Who Experience Racism

For this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, charity Black Minds Matter UK explains the importance of culturally specific interventions for musicians who also experience racism.

Published: 10 May 2021

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Changes to PRS for Music’s Online Live Concert Licence

A summary of changes to PRS for Music’s Online Live Concert Licence following their consultation with PRS members and the wider industry.

Published: 07 May 2021

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HE Cuts: “The Cultural Sector is Absolutely Right to be Angry”

What the Government’s proposed higher education (HE) cuts could mean for students and course providers – from affecting the financial viability of courses to cutting access for less privileged students and disproportionately affecting disabled people.

Published: 07 May 2021

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Devastating For Arts and Humanities: The MU Responds to 50% Higher Education Funding Cut Consultation

The MU strongly opposes Government plans to impose a catastrophic 50% funding cut to arts subjects including music at Higher Education (HE) level in England.

Published: 06 May 2021

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Reconsider Proposed Catastrophic 50% Funding Cut MPs Tell Secretary of State

Shadow secretaries of state Jo Stevens MP and Kate Green MP have written to Gavin Williamson calling on the Secretary of State for Education to drop proposals for a catastrophic 50% funding cut to arts subjects at the Higher Education level in England.

Published: 06 May 2021

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MU General Secretary Addresses Phantom of the Opera Situation

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge has today written to all members regarding the closure of the West End production of Phantom of the Opera in 2020, and the subsequent forthcoming production of the show featuring a greatly reduced orchestra.

Published: 06 May 2021

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MU Expresses Horror at Proposed Halving of Funding for Music at HE in England

The Government has announced that it plans to impose a 50 percent funding cut to “high cost” subjects at higher education (HE) in England, including music. This is because music and the arts are not among its “strategic priorities”. Members are encouraged to respond to their consultation.

Published: 30 April 2021

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Lobbying Update: Using Our Brexit Survey Issues to Press for Change

In this lobbying update, MU Head of Communications and Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez discusses how we will be using the results from our Brexit survey when it closes next week, and other actions in Parliament.

Published: 29 April 2021

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Social Media Blackout in Response to Sustained Racist Abuse Online

The MU will be standing in solidarity with this weekend’s social media boycott, to highlight social media company inaction on eradicating online hate and racism.

Published: 29 April 2021

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Extend Government-Backed Pilots to Allow More Events to Go Ahead, Say MPs

In the absence of a wider insurance scheme for the events industry, the Government liability that will enable pilot events to go ahead this summer should be extended to cover a wider range of events to prevent further cancellations, say MPs.

Published: 29 April 2021

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Over 5000 Musicians and Songwriters Back Fix Streaming Petition

Over 5,000 musicians, songwriters and fans have signed the Fix Streaming petition, after 150 artists including Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney and Kate Bush made headlines calling on the Government to act.

Published: 27 April 2021

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The Copyright Directive

In this feature Mark Sutherland discusses the European Copyright Directive in detail, and looks at the vital actions that must take place to protect UK music industry in the post-Brexit environment.

Published: 26 April 2021

UK Music Survey Reveals 1 in 5 Disabled People Face Discrimination At Work

UK Music is calling on music industry leaders to ensure disabled people and people with long term health conditions can realise their dreams by removing potential barriers to job opportunities.

Published: 22 April 2021

We’re Partnering with Black Lives in Music and Encouraging Members to Take Their Survey

Black Lives in Music (BLiM) is a newly launched initiative which the MU has partnered with – on a mission to combat racism, uniting organisations and musicians to create a truly inclusive and diverse music industry.

Published: 20 April 2021

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Buying and Selling Used Musical Instruments

For professional musicians, buying and selling musical instruments can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Neil Crossley examines the options and assesses how to ensure you get the best outcome with the minimum hassle.

Published: 20 April 2021

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Response to the Model Music Curriculum

The Government has published a new Model Music Curriculum for England. Chris Walters, the MU’s National Organiser for Education, highlights some key points.

Published: 20 April 2021

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MU Signs Open Letter to The Prime Minister to Reject ‘Insulting’ Report and Act on Race Equality at Work

36 trade union general secretaries –including the MU’s – have signed a letter to the PM, calling on him to take a different path to that recommended in the report from the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparities.

Published: 20 April 2021

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Calling On The PM to Put The Value of Music Back “In The Hands of Music Makers”

An extraordinary roll call of music’s great and good call on the Prime Minister to reform the music industry by fixing streaming.

Published: 19 April 2021

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Government Confirms “Incidental” Live Music Permitted in England from Stage Two

The Government has now confirmed a number of changes and extra details for musicians in its previously published Spring Roadmap for England – and we have updated our guidance accordingly.

Published: 09 April 2021

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Youth Music Open New Fund For Young Creatives

Over 75 Artists Including The Rolling Stones Join The Call to Fix Streaming

No Progress On Amateur Choir Restrictions in England

#TheShowMustBePaused One Year On

We’ve Launched a New Partnership With the Royal College of Organists

Second WITCiH Digital Festival Celebrates Women in Tech

Representing the Interests of Members Globally Through the International Federation of Musicians (FIM)

Free Workshop on Building Mental Resilience to be Held by Help Musicians

Next Kill The Bill Day of Action to Take Place on 29 May

Survey Reveals Brexit Paperwork is a ‘Complete Nightmare’ For Musicians

MU Still Waiting for Response to Letter Urging Government to Pause Proposed HE Funding Cuts

Help Us Make the Case Against HE Funding Cuts by Taking our Flash Survey

Mixed Picture for England Under Step 3 – MU Pressures Government Over Choirs

Marking IDAHOBiT With Resources on Being an LGBT+ Ally

Feedback Service Available for Those Applying to Next Round of ACE’s DYCP Fund

Who Will HE Funding Cuts Disproportionately Affect?

LIVE Release Audience Survey Results on What Events Will Look Like After “Lockdown”

Take Action for Carry on Touring Campaign’s Call for Visa Free Travel

Live Streamed Concerts are Here to Stay Concludes Middlesex University London-led Report

Music For Youth to Hold Mentoring Workshops for MU Members

Higher Education Funding Cuts: How Much More Can We Take?

Mental Health: The Importance of Culturally Specific Understanding for Musicians Who Experience Racism

Changes to PRS for Music’s Online Live Concert Licence

HE Cuts: “The Cultural Sector is Absolutely Right to be Angry”

Devastating For Arts and Humanities: The MU Responds to 50% Higher Education Funding Cut Consultation

Reconsider Proposed Catastrophic 50% Funding Cut MPs Tell Secretary of State

MU General Secretary Addresses Phantom of the Opera Situation

MU Expresses Horror at Proposed Halving of Funding for Music at HE in England

Lobbying Update: Using Our Brexit Survey Issues to Press for Change

Social Media Blackout in Response to Sustained Racist Abuse Online

Extend Government-Backed Pilots to Allow More Events to Go Ahead, Say MPs

Over 5000 Musicians and Songwriters Back Fix Streaming Petition

The Copyright Directive

UK Music Survey Reveals 1 in 5 Disabled People Face Discrimination At Work

We’re Partnering with Black Lives in Music and Encouraging Members to Take Their Survey

Buying and Selling Used Musical Instruments

Response to the Model Music Curriculum

MU Signs Open Letter to The Prime Minister to Reject ‘Insulting’ Report and Act on Race Equality at Work

Calling On The PM to Put The Value of Music Back “In The Hands of Music Makers”

Government Confirms “Incidental” Live Music Permitted in England from Stage Two