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
Representatives of MU Attend This Week’s International Labour Organisation in Geneva The ILO (International Labour Organisation) brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 Member States to set Labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all. Published: 15 February 2023 Read more about Representatives of MU Attend This Week’s International Labour Organisation in Geneva
MU Responds to Closure of Oldham Coliseum Theatre Oldham Coliseum has proposed that it will permanently close on 31 March. Published: 15 February 2023 Read more about MU Responds to Closure of Oldham Coliseum Theatre
MU Backs FAC’s 100% Venues Campaign The FAC’s 100% Venues initiative encourages venues to allow artists to sell merchandise without charging punitive commission fees. Published: 15 February 2023 Read more about MU Backs FAC’s 100% Venues Campaign
Andi Hopgood and Nate Holder: Why The Musicians’ Census Gives us a Better Chance to Create Change This week we’re exploring why musicians and change-makers Andi and Nate are supporting the 2023 Musicians Census. Published: 14 February 2023 Read more about Andi Hopgood and Nate Holder: Why The Musicians’ Census Gives us a Better Chance to Create Change
MU and BAPAM Publish Performance Health: Guide For Instrumental and Vocal Teachers The guide will assist musicians working in education and teaching to support their students’ health and wellbeing. Published: 14 February 2023 Read more about MU and BAPAM Publish Performance Health: Guide For Instrumental and Vocal Teachers
Highlights From The Right To Strike Day of Action MU members and staff marched and attended rallies in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Norwich, Nottingham, Plymouth and Worcester. Published: 10 February 2023 Read more about Highlights From The Right To Strike Day of Action
Information for Members on Proposed Increase to US ‘O’ and ‘P’ Visa Petition Fees The MU are shocked to hear that the United States Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the US Department of Homeland Security are proposing huge increases to the Petition fees for US visas. Published: 10 February 2023 Read more about Information for Members on Proposed Increase to US ‘O’ and ‘P’ Visa Petition Fees
Gender-Neutral Award Categories at The BRITs Lead to a Lack of Gender Diversity in 2023 Shortlists Following a shift to gender-neutral award categories, replacing separate best male and best female artist awards, the MU responds to this year’s all-male BRITs Best Artist shortlist. Published: 09 February 2023 Read more about Gender-Neutral Award Categories at The BRITs Lead to a Lack of Gender Diversity in 2023 Shortlists
Welsh Language Music Day Resources Released by Welsh Government Friday 10 February is Welsh Language Music Day, and you can use the Welsh Government website to access a selection of resources to promote and share information, specially curated playlists, event listings and more. Published: 09 February 2023 Read more about Welsh Language Music Day Resources Released by Welsh Government
MU General Secretary Update General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at the challenges facing musicians this winter, and what the union is doing to support members. Published: 08 February 2023 Read more about MU General Secretary Update
MU In Solidarity with West End Performers A statement from the union regarding Equity’s pay negotiations. Published: 08 February 2023 Read more about MU In Solidarity with West End Performers
National Open Youth Orchestra Publishes Major Report The report describes and evaluates the work of the world’s first disabled-led youth orchestra – essential reading for music educators looking to develop their understanding of inclusive music-making. Published: 08 February 2023 Read more about National Open Youth Orchestra Publishes Major Report
Welsh TUC Black Activists Development Programme Opens for Applications The development programme aims to give the confidence and key skills needed to influence union structures, and has just opened to applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic workers in Wales. Published: 08 February 2023 Read more about Welsh TUC Black Activists Development Programme Opens for Applications
MU General Secretary Opens This Year's ABO Conference MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl opened this year’s Association of British Orchestras Conference with a vision for a brighter future for British Orchestras. Published: 06 February 2023 Read more about MU General Secretary Opens This Year's ABO Conference
Naomi Pohl Discusses Fix Streaming Campaign on Drowned in Sound Podcast The MU’s General Secretary appeared on this weeks Drowned in Sound Podcast, which can be accessed on various major streaming platforms about how music streaming needs to be fixed. Published: 03 February 2023 Read more about Naomi Pohl Discusses Fix Streaming Campaign on Drowned in Sound Podcast
Act Now to Save Midlothian’s Instrumental Music Service Midlothian Council is consulting on proposals to cut funding for instrumental music tuition. Have your say by Wednesday 8 February. Published: 03 February 2023 Read more about Act Now to Save Midlothian’s Instrumental Music Service
Musicians Iona Fyfe and Lady Nade Share Why They Back the Musicians’ Census 2023 Two musicians backing the survey explain why the Musicians’ Census 2023 is so important. Published: 02 February 2023 Read more about Musicians Iona Fyfe and Lady Nade Share Why They Back the Musicians’ Census 2023
More Cuts to Music Education in Scotland Proposed The MU is fighting against more proposed local authority cuts to music services, which would break the Scottish Government’s pledge to offer free instrumental tuition to all children. Published: 01 February 2023 Read more about More Cuts to Music Education in Scotland Proposed
MU Partners With Come Play With Me for LGBTQ+ History Month The new partnership will see a new series of LGBTQ+ Inclusion workshops and the two organisations working together to create more resources for LGBTQ+ musicians and artists. Published: 31 January 2023 Read more about MU Partners With Come Play With Me for LGBTQ+ History Month
What Expenses Can Musicians Claim on Tax? Keeping a record of what you have spent and what you can claim can be arduous, but it can save you money in the long run. Published: 31 January 2023 Read more about What Expenses Can Musicians Claim on Tax?
Save Midlothian Music Service Demo A demo will be taking place on Tuesday 31 January against planned cuts that will see pupils in Primary 6 and 7, and in S1-S3 no longer having access to music lessons. Published: 27 January 2023 Read more about Save Midlothian Music Service Demo
MU Supports TUC Right to Strike Day of Action Take part in marches and events on 1 February to protest against the Government’s anti-strike laws. Published: 27 January 2023 Read more about MU Supports TUC Right to Strike Day of Action
Why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is a Trade Union Issue What is our collective role in building equality, diversity and inclusion and why is it a trade union issue? The MU’s John Shortell explains. Published: 25 January 2023 Read more about Why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is a Trade Union Issue
MU Signs Petition Calling on Government to End ‘Rampant’ Exploitation of Migrant Workers 21 Trade Unions including the MU, UNISON, the RMT and the PCS union have condemned the Government’s attempts to ‘pit’ workers against each other, and are calling for urgent action to end the exploitation of migrant workers, including undocumented people. Published: 25 January 2023 Read more about MU Signs Petition Calling on Government to End ‘Rampant’ Exploitation of Migrant Workers
Nevis Ensemble Cease Trading Due to Severe Funding Challenges Members engaged with the Nevis Ensemble either as freelancers or ‘Fellows’ are encouraged to contact the MU’s Orchestras Department for advice and support. Published: 24 January 2023 Read more about Nevis Ensemble Cease Trading Due to Severe Funding Challenges