News & Stories for Musicians

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

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

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

Photograph of Duncan Lamont, celebrated Scottish jazz saxophonist

Tribute to Duncan Lamont

This tribute for celebrated Scottish jazz saxophonist Duncan Lamont, has been written by his son, Duncan Lamont Jnr.

Published: 06 December 2019

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

Photograph close up of Microphone on neutral background

Applications Encouraged to BBC Scotland Debate Night

BBC Scotland’s new discussion programme, hosted by Stephen Jardine, is looking for members to be part of the audience and put their questions to the people in power.

Published: 17 May 2019

Portrait photograph of band members Caroline Gilmour and Marissa Keltie, with text

Scottish Pop Duo "The Eves" on Why They Joined the MU

Scottish duo The Eves, Caroline Gilmour and Marissa Keltie , talk through their reasons for joining the Musicians’ Union (MU) and why it’s benefited them.

Published: 30 April 2019

Primary aged children take part in a classroom ukulele lesson.

Crowd Funding Appeal for Judicial Review of Music Tuition Fees in Scottish State Schools

A crowd funding appeal is underway to raise £15,000 to pay the legal fees for the necessary first steps in a potential judicial review of the lawfulness of fees for musical instrument tuition in Scotland's state schools.

Published: 25 April 2019

New Performing Arts Medicine Clinic at the Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast

BAPAM (the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine) are opening a new free clinic for performing arts professionals and students in Northern Ireland.

Published: 18 April 2019

May Day Marches Across Scotland and Northern Ireland

Members are encouraged to join a May Day March, where trade unionists and the labour movement will come together to celebrate efforts to improve workers’ rights.

Published: 16 April 2019

Release of New Report on Music Education in Scotland Highlights Concerns

The new research project pulls together findings and recommendations for music education in Scotland.

Published: 28 March 2019

MU and ABO launch Manifesto for British Orchestras

The MU and the ABO have created a joint Manifesto for British Orchestras and are collectively inviting orchestras to sign up.

Published: 21 March 2019

Mentoring Scheme for Female MU Members Launched

The MU and shesaid.so have combined forces to support women in the industry by matching fellow musicians together, to help one another grow and succeed in their careers.

Published: 13 March 2019

Scottish Trades Union Congress Opens Survey on Mental Health in the Workplace for #TimeToTalk Day

The survey aims to look at the root causes of mental ill health in work, how to challenge these, and wider societal issues around mental health.

Published: 07 February 2019

Protest to Be Held by Local School Students Against Midlothian Council’s Decision to Axe Instrument Tuition

A musical flash mob will be gathering on Tuesday 12 February outside the council chambers in Dalkeith, to protest Midlothian Council’s recently announced plan to axe music tuition in its schools.

Published: 05 February 2019

Musicians’ Union Responds with Anger to Plan by Midlothian Council to Sever Music Tuition in its Schools

The MU has expressed its consternation at the announcement by Midlothian Council that it is set to entirely axe all musical instrument tuition in its schools - bar for children who are studying for Higher or National Five exams in the subject.

Published: 04 February 2019

Half Price Member Tickets to Artist:Entrepreneur Day in Belfast

The Artist:Entrepreneur Day from the Featured Artists Coalition and CMU:DIY will be staged in Belfast on Sunday 18, in partnership with Help Musicians NI.

Published: 14 November 2018

The MU Encourages Scottish Members to Have Their Say About Youth Music Activity

Help build a picture of youth music activity in Scotland, and shape the future of music in Scotland, with this 5 - 15 minute survey.

Published: 22 June 2018

Pop-Up Orchestra Draws Attention to Campaign for Free Music Tuition in Scottish Schools

The campaign for free music tuition in Scottish state schools continues to gain momentum, as campaigners stage a pop-up orchestra in Glasgow’s George Square.

Published: 13 June 2018

Members Urged to Sign Petition for Scottish Children’s Music Services

A petition to the Scottish Parliament is gathering signatures, calling for free lessons to be available to all Scottish state school students who wish to learn a musical instrument.

Published: 05 June 2018

UK’s First Live Music Census Reveals Ongoing Threats to Small Venues

Small venues continue to face threats that could affect their long-term future, warns UK’s first Live Music Census.

Published: 16 February 2018

MU Celebrates Campaign Victory as Agent of Change to be Made Law in Scotland

The MU is celebrating the incorporation of the Agent of Change principle into Scottish Planning Policy.