A Statement on the MU’s Vote in Labour NEC Meeting On Tuesday at the Labour Party National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting the MU voted in favour of the motion removing NEC backing for Jeremy Corbyn standing as an MP. The MU’s Executive Committee was consulted in advance and a decision was taken by email vote. Published: 30 March 2023 Read more about A Statement on the MU’s Vote in Labour NEC Meeting
Karen Marshall: Women’s History Month, Female Composers and Me MU member and music educator Karen Marshall tells us about her educational book Her Story which celebrates the piano music of 29 lost, but inspiring female composers. Published: 29 March 2023 Read more about Karen Marshall: Women’s History Month, Female Composers and Me
MU Marks Record Breaking Year of Royalties Payments in 2022 After distributing £1.37m to musicians in 2022, the MU’s Recording & Broadcasting department reflect on why this was a particularly high year, and advise members who are yet to receive their payments. Published: 29 March 2023 Read more about MU Marks Record Breaking Year of Royalties Payments in 2022
How to Get Your Music Played on the Radio Getting your music played on national radio has never been easy and it’s getting even tougher. Here’s how to improve your chances. Published: 28 March 2023 Read more about How to Get Your Music Played on the Radio
BBC Singers Petition Delivered to BBC Director General Tim Davie MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl and conductor Jack Apperley have delivered a copy of the Save the BBC Singers petition to BBC Director General Tim Davie. Published: 28 March 2023 Read more about BBC Singers Petition Delivered to BBC Director General Tim Davie
Trade Unions for Trans Rights Network Launch Event Announced by TUC The TUC will be running a launch event for their new Trade Unions for Trans Rights Network on 29 April, following a Congress motion which was carried at the TUC LGBT+ Conference on supporting trans and non-binary workers. Published: 27 March 2023 Read more about Trade Unions for Trans Rights Network Launch Event Announced by TUC
Wales and South West England Lobbying Update An update from Regional Organiser Andy Warnock on recent lobbying activity in Wales and South West England on behalf of members across the region. Published: 27 March 2023 Read more about Wales and South West England Lobbying Update
LIVE to Run Inclusion & Education Workshop for International Trans Day of Visibility The workshop, led by Saskhia Menendez is free to attend and will run online, covering real lived experience on what it means to be Transgender in the Music Industry and educating on better Allyship. Published: 27 March 2023 Read more about LIVE to Run Inclusion & Education Workshop for International Trans Day of Visibility
BBC Announce BBC Singers Will Not be Closing on 30 September Following intense discussions with the MU, a petition reaching over 120,000 signatures, and musicians and supporters rallying against the proposed job cuts, the announcement comes as very welcome news. Published: 24 March 2023 Read more about BBC Announce BBC Singers Will Not be Closing on 30 September
Campaign for Female Mediocrity In this guest blog, Her Ensemble member, orchestral and chamber musician Christine Anderson shares her experiences and thoughts on women and diversity within the classical music industry. Published: 23 March 2023 Read more about Campaign for Female Mediocrity
Plans to Axe BBC Singers Threaten Future of Freelancers and Young Singers Across the UK Mezzo Lorna Price explains what BBC proposals to axe BBC Singers means for hundreds of freelancers and in particular, young musicians starting their careers. Published: 23 March 2023 Read more about Plans to Axe BBC Singers Threaten Future of Freelancers and Young Singers Across the UK
Council of Music Makers Calls on Labels, Publishers and Streaming Platforms to Unite on Streaming Reforms The Council of Music Makers, which includes the Musicians’ Union, is calling on industry to unite to fix streaming. Published: 22 March 2023 Read more about Council of Music Makers Calls on Labels, Publishers and Streaming Platforms to Unite on Streaming Reforms
Shape What the MU Does For You Over the Next Two Years: Submit a Motion to MU Delegate Conference Create change in the Musicians’ Union, in your sector or in the wider music industry - submit a motion to MU Delegate Conference. Published: 21 March 2023 Read more about Shape What the MU Does For You Over the Next Two Years: Submit a Motion to MU Delegate Conference
The BBC Singers in Their Own Words BBC Singers explain who they are, what they do, and why the UK’s only full-time professional choir is crucial to the future of classical music. Published: 20 March 2023 Read more about The BBC Singers in Their Own Words
It’s Important For Members to Have a Platform: Creating Positive Change in Wales and South West England Wales and South West England Regional Officer Ruth Ballantyne looks at how to create positive change by getting involved in MU Delegate Conference. Published: 20 March 2023 Read more about It’s Important For Members to Have a Platform: Creating Positive Change in Wales and South West England
How to Overcome Performance Anxiety With over 70% of UK musicians suffering from anxiety in their public-facing work, leading UK performance and speaking coach Jimmy Cannon talks about root causes, quick fixes and long-term solutions to the issue. Published: 20 March 2023 Read more about How to Overcome Performance Anxiety
Depping Out: an Essential Guide for Function Band Musicians Practical and legal implications to consider when depping out gigs as a function band. Published: 17 March 2023 Read more about Depping Out: an Essential Guide for Function Band Musicians
Petition to Save the BBC Singers Reaches 120,000 Signatures Since the BBC announced cuts to its employed Performing Groups last Tuesday, significant public and industry support has been expressed for the BBC Singers and the three affected BBC orchestras: the BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC Philharmonic. Published: 16 March 2023 Read more about Petition to Save the BBC Singers Reaches 120,000 Signatures
Square Peg in a Round Hole: Jon Hart on Navigating the Industry as a Neurodivergent Musician This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, award-winning acoustic artist and MU member Jon Hart shares his experiences of breaking through conformity, and explains how although career success may come and go, music as true self-representation is always a constant. Published: 16 March 2023 Read more about Square Peg in a Round Hole: Jon Hart on Navigating the Industry as a Neurodivergent Musician
MU Achieves Budget Success on Orchestra and Theatre Tax Relief Theatre and Orchestra tax relief will be maintained at current levels for another two years. Published: 15 March 2023 Read more about MU Achieves Budget Success on Orchestra and Theatre Tax Relief
Success at Oscars for UK Session Musicians Our members and approved contractors contributed to some of the soundtracks of the very best films won and nominated. Published: 15 March 2023 Read more about Success at Oscars for UK Session Musicians
Arts Council England Proposes Reduced Number of Music Hubs A proposal to reduce the number of Music Hubs from 116 to 43, to be accomplished by merging the existing Music Hub areas, is out to public consultation until 31 March. Anyone with an interest in Music Hubs should complete the consultation. Published: 14 March 2023 Read more about Arts Council England Proposes Reduced Number of Music Hubs
How Peripatetic Music Teachers Are Coping in the Post-Covid Lockdown Era Assessing how peri music teachers are coping with education cuts, the cost of living crisis and the ongoing erosion of music provision in schools. Published: 13 March 2023 Read more about How Peripatetic Music Teachers Are Coping in the Post-Covid Lockdown Era
Musicians and Supporters Rally Behind BBC Singers and Orchestras Facing Job Cuts Musicians and supporters are rallying behind BBC Singers and Orchestras affected by proposed job cuts – taking action, sharing on social media, and keeping the issue in the press. Published: 10 March 2023 Read more about Musicians and Supporters Rally Behind BBC Singers and Orchestras Facing Job Cuts
MU Representing and Supporting BBC Singers and Orchestras Members Affected by Job Cuts Proposals The MU is working closely with BBC Singers and Orchestras facing job cuts – here's what the union is doing and how you can show your support. Published: 10 March 2023 Read more about MU Representing and Supporting BBC Singers and Orchestras Members Affected by Job Cuts Proposals
Less than 24 hours left to take the Musicians’ Census 2023 Help the Musicians’ Union help every musician: take the Musicians’ Census 2023 and enter a prize draw to win a £300 One4All gift card. Published: 08 March 2023 Read more about Less than 24 hours left to take the Musicians’ Census 2023
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
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