RWCMD Petition Hits 10,000 Signatures and is Discussed at Senedd Petitions Committee More leading figures from music and the arts sign the Union’s open letter in support of Young RWCMD, as the Senedd Petitions Committee call for urgent action to protect the programme. Published: 04 July 2024 Read more about RWCMD Petition Hits 10,000 Signatures and is Discussed at Senedd Petitions Committee
The Emotional Side of Music Making: Heidi Fardell Explores One-to-One Music Teaching MU Member Heidi Fardell has been a one-to-one instrumental tutor for over 20 years. Drawing on her own experiences, she shares why music lessons can often invite conversations on health and wellbeing, and how to listen and recognise when students may need signposting to additional support. Published: 04 July 2024 Read more about The Emotional Side of Music Making: Heidi Fardell Explores One-to-One Music Teaching
MU Partners with YOUROPE for Launch of its New Diversity Toolset for Festivals Our ED&I team contributed as consultants on YOUROPE’s diversity and inclusion toolset for festivals, utilising a range of the Union’s resources. MU Officer Dr Diljeet Bhachu is also listed on the project’s advisory board, specifically contributing to items on anti-racism and diversity. Published: 02 July 2024 Read more about MU Partners with YOUROPE for Launch of its New Diversity Toolset for Festivals
What the Current Status of UK Opera Funding Means for Musicians and Audiences in 2024 Further to the release of Arts Council England’s Let's Create report, an analysis of opera and music theatre in England and Wales, journalist Andrew Stewart investigates the sector's current landscape and how this relates to the report, our members and the wider industry. Published: 01 July 2024 Read more about What the Current Status of UK Opera Funding Means for Musicians and Audiences in 2024
CULT Cymru Announces Second Year of New Mentoring Programme for MU Members in Wales MU members living and/or working in Wales can now apply for 6 months of free mentoring sessions with CULT Cymru. Published: 28 June 2024 Read more about CULT Cymru Announces Second Year of New Mentoring Programme for MU Members in Wales
Sign the Petition to Free Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi From Prison Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has had his death sentence overturned, but still remains in prison. Sign the petition to call for his immediate release. Published: 27 June 2024 Read more about Sign the Petition to Free Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi From Prison
MU Ballots Welsh National Opera Members for a Mandate for Industrial Action The MU is balloting its members in the Welsh National Opera (WNO) orchestra for a mandate for industrial action. Published: 25 June 2024 Read more about MU Ballots Welsh National Opera Members for a Mandate for Industrial Action
Protect WNO Campaign Backed by Senedd Members Welsh National Opera orchestra members took their petition to the Senedd with support from Rhianon Passmore MS. Published: 25 June 2024 Read more about Protect WNO Campaign Backed by Senedd Members
What to Ask MP Candidates Campaigning for the General Election Make sure your local candidates for MP know the issues that matter to you – and to all musicians across the UK. Published: 24 June 2024 Read more about What to Ask MP Candidates Campaigning for the General Election
Famous Names Sign Open Letter in Support of RWCMD's Junior Department Famous names including Alistair McGowan and journalist Cathy Newman, as well as award-winning songwriters, playwrights and other prominent figures in the music industry, have signed an open letter in support of the Young RWCMD programme at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Published: 21 June 2024 Read more about Famous Names Sign Open Letter in Support of RWCMD's Junior Department
MU Members Invited to Join March at Durham Miners’ Gala 2024 MU members are invited to march at Durham Miners’ Gala on Saturday 13 July - the world's biggest celebration of trade union values, community spirit and working class life. Published: 21 June 2024 Read more about MU Members Invited to Join March at Durham Miners’ Gala 2024
MU Partners with Manchester Festival Beyond The Music 2024 We are delighted to partner with Beyond The Music in Manchester. Our North of England Team will be on hand during the conference to discuss regional issues and are leading an industry panel on misogyny in music. Published: 21 June 2024 Read more about MU Partners with Manchester Festival Beyond The Music 2024
POWER UP Announces Year 4 Programme Participants 40 Black music creators and industry professionals have been selected to receive career-changing support in POWER UP’s fourth year. Published: 20 June 2024 Read more about POWER UP Announces Year 4 Programme Participants
UK Music Reveals Findings Of 2024 Workforce Diversity Survey in New Report The report findings show significant improvements in the areas of gender and ethnicity, but also highlights areas where more progress is needed, such as breaking down barriers for people from working class backgrounds. Published: 19 June 2024 Read more about UK Music Reveals Findings Of 2024 Workforce Diversity Survey in New Report
Tribute to Adèle Thompson A passionate dancer, choreographer, abseil-dancer, stilt artist and teacher, Adèle was an MU member for over 25 years. This is a tribute written by two of her friends and work colleagues. Published: 18 June 2024 Read more about Tribute to Adèle Thompson
MU Motion on LGBTQ+ Musicians Passed at STUC Conference 2024 The MU sent a delegation to this year’s STUC LGBT+ Workers’ Conference in May, where our motion on tackling transphobia, ensuring culturally relevant mental health provisions and improvements to the Equality Act passed unanimously. Published: 17 June 2024 Read more about MU Motion on LGBTQ+ Musicians Passed at STUC Conference 2024
Labour Party Election Manifesto Makes Clear Policy Commitments to Musicians The MU welcomes the Labour Party commitments to supporting music and musicians in their manifesto for the General Election on Thursday 4 July. Published: 14 June 2024 Read more about Labour Party Election Manifesto Makes Clear Policy Commitments to Musicians
TUC Black Workers’ Conference Carries MU Motion to Support Art Not Evidence Our motion for the TUC to support Art Not Evidence and promote the restricted use of creative expression in court was passed at the TUC Black Workers’ Conference. Published: 14 June 2024 Read more about TUC Black Workers’ Conference Carries MU Motion to Support Art Not Evidence
Apply to Perform at Edinburgh’s Made in Scotland Showcase Applications are now open for Scotland-based artists to perform their music at the Made in Scotland showcase on 14-15 August 2024. Published: 11 June 2024 Read more about Apply to Perform at Edinburgh’s Made in Scotland Showcase
Brum, Rise Up! Join the MU to Campaign Against Birmingham City Council Cuts MU Midlands members are urged to join us outside Birmingham City Council House on Tuesday 18 June to demand a reversal of the cuts to the city's vital services, libraries and arts sector. Published: 11 June 2024 Read more about Brum, Rise Up! Join the MU to Campaign Against Birmingham City Council Cuts
Have Your Say in Shaping the Future of Bristol’s Music Scene Bristol City Council wants to know how you feel about Bristol's local music. Fill out the survey and support the creation of a self-sustaining music fund. Published: 07 June 2024 Read more about Have Your Say in Shaping the Future of Bristol’s Music Scene
Derby’s Annual Silk Mill Festival Returns to Celebrate Midlands Trade Union Movement Taking place on Saturday 8 June in the heart of Derby, the annual Silk Mill Festival is an opportunity for the whole of the Midlands Labour and progressive movement to rally in a display of solidarity and confidence. Published: 05 June 2024 Read more about Derby’s Annual Silk Mill Festival Returns to Celebrate Midlands Trade Union Movement
MU Celebrates Majority Female Orchestra in West End’s Largest Pit Band Over 50% of players in the orchestra for Hello Dolly! at the London Palladium are women. The MU is delighted to see equal representation in what is currently the largest pit band in the West End, and hopes to see other bands following its example. Published: 05 June 2024 Read more about MU Celebrates Majority Female Orchestra in West End’s Largest Pit Band
Association of Independent Festivals Endorses MU Access Rider Scheme The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has endorsed the MU’s Access Rider to its membership and will be holding a session to explain what access riders are, why we need them, and why festivals should adopt them as a standard part of all contracting. Published: 03 June 2024 Read more about Association of Independent Festivals Endorses MU Access Rider Scheme
Protect the Junior RWCMD department: Sign the Petition Members at the Junior RWCMD department are campaigning to keep the college’s junior music and drama programmes open. Published: 03 June 2024 Read more about Protect the Junior RWCMD department: Sign the Petition
MU Launch Brand New Member Benefit for Discounted Hotel Rooms in London Our new partnership with Imperial Hotels means that we are now able to offer our members discounted rooms in selected hotels across London. Over time, we hope to expand this benefit to other locations throughout the UK. Published: 01 June 2024 Read more about MU Launch Brand New Member Benefit for Discounted Hotel Rooms in London
MU Announces Continued Partnership with Viva La Visa for Free Visa Advice Line If you're seeking guidance on visas, work permits or travel documentation for touring abroad, you can access Viva La Visa's free advice line. Published: 01 June 2024 Read more about MU Announces Continued Partnership with Viva La Visa for Free Visa Advice Line
Musicians Protest Ahead of Romeo & Juliet Performance to Keep Northern Ballet Live Ahead of the first performance of Northern Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet in London earlier this week, members of the Northern Ballet Sinfonia dressed as Shakespeare and took to the streets to protest against plans to replace the live orchestra with recorded music. Published: 30 May 2024 Read more about Musicians Protest Ahead of Romeo & Juliet Performance to Keep Northern Ballet Live
MU Motion on Benefits Reform Passed Unanimously at TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference 2024 The MU’s motion to reform the benefits system to better serve disabled musicians passed unanimously at last week’s TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference. Published: 30 May 2024 Read more about MU Motion on Benefits Reform Passed Unanimously at TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference 2024
MU Addresses Education Select Committee on Music Education Chris Walters, MU National Organiser for Education, spoke to the cross-party committee of MPs about funding for music education and music teachers’ pay and conditions. Published: 30 May 2024 Read more about MU Addresses Education Select Committee on Music Education
Folk Alliance International 2025 Official Showcase Applications Open Folk artists can now apply for an official showcase at the 2025 Folk Alliance International Conference in Montréal. Published: 30 May 2024 Read more about Folk Alliance International 2025 Official Showcase Applications Open
MU Calls for Major Changes to Fix Streaming at Second Creator Remuneration Group Meeting MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl represented musicians and music creators at the second meeting of the Creator Remuneration Group. The meeting focused on getting a better deal from music streaming for featured artists. Published: 30 May 2024 Read more about MU Calls for Major Changes to Fix Streaming at Second Creator Remuneration Group Meeting
New ABO Survey Reveals Orchestras Vital to UK Culture A new survey by the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) has found that 74% of UK adults believe orchestras are an integral part of the country’s cultural heritage. Published: 21 May 2024 Read more about New ABO Survey Reveals Orchestras Vital to UK Culture
Why Music Creators Won't Support a Major Label Led Campaign on AI Record labels and publishers (rights holders) are planning a campaign on AI and they want composers and musicians to back them. MU Assistant General Secretary, Phil Kear, explains why that is such a challenging ask. Published: 20 May 2024 Read more about Why Music Creators Won't Support a Major Label Led Campaign on AI
The Dos and Don’ts of Pensions for Self-Employed Musicians Over 90% of MU members are self-employed but most will not have any personal pension. Here’s how self-employed musicians can find affordable, flexible and ethical pensions to suit them. Published: 17 May 2024 Read more about The Dos and Don’ts of Pensions for Self-Employed Musicians
Fair Play on Tour: Protecting Your Health and Wellbeing as a Live Musician The MU hosted a panel at The Exchange in Bristol to discuss health and wellbeing for live musicians. Published: 17 May 2024 Read more about Fair Play on Tour: Protecting Your Health and Wellbeing as a Live Musician
MU Welcomes the Formation of New Northern Music Network A collection of leading Northern music partners has formally aligned to promote opportunities in the music industry and support artists across the North of England. Published: 17 May 2024 Read more about MU Welcomes the Formation of New Northern Music Network
Applications for FAC Step Up Fund 2024 Now Open UK-based artists can now apply for up to £8,000 in funding to support recording, releasing, content creation, touring or any career-related projects. Published: 17 May 2024 Read more about Applications for FAC Step Up Fund 2024 Now Open
MU Marks International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) 2024 The theme for this year's IDAHOBIT, which takes place on Friday 17 May, is “No One Gets Left Behind: Equality, Freedom and Justice for All”. Published: 16 May 2024 Read more about MU Marks International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) 2024
Tribute to Gerry Collins aka Gerald Isaacson ATCL LTCL Gerry was a MU member for 45 years, and a gifted musician and educator. He passed away on 1 January 2023 after a long, rich and varied career. This tribute has been provided by his wife Diana and daughter Natasha. Published: 16 May 2024 Read more about Tribute to Gerry Collins aka Gerald Isaacson ATCL LTCL