BBC Confirms Commitment to Working With The Musicians’ Union The MU believes the BBC is signalling a reset of the consultation process and the union will enter talks with them on the basis that discussion will focus on alternatives to the job cuts. Published: 13 April 2023 Read more about BBC Confirms Commitment to Working With The Musicians’ Union
Ben Haines: How Skills From The MU’s Meditation Sessions Transformed My Playing Ben Haines is a regular at the MU’s free weekly Meditation sessions, which originally started during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic due to the enormous impact it had on the mental health of our members. Here he shares why he’s been going ever since. Published: 11 April 2023 Read more about Ben Haines: How Skills From The MU’s Meditation Sessions Transformed My Playing
BECTU Launch Safer Theatres Charter The Anything Doesn’t Go campaign aims to tackle anti-social behaviour in UK theatres, calling on venue management to take a more proactive approach via the new Charter. Published: 11 April 2023 Read more about BECTU Launch Safer Theatres Charter
An Inclusive Workplace is Characterised by Affirmative Action Chair of the MU Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee Linton Stephens discusses what we can do to make our industry more inclusive through recognising art as an ever-changing response to the world around us. Published: 05 April 2023 Read more about An Inclusive Workplace is Characterised by Affirmative Action
MU Responds to Leaked Documents on Future of BBC Performing Groups The Musicians’ Union responds to leaked documents about the BBC Performing Groups published by classical music blog Slipped Disc. Published: 04 April 2023 Read more about MU Responds to Leaked Documents on Future of BBC Performing Groups
Take Action to Stop Job Cuts at BBC Orchestras and Protect the BBC Singers After September The BBC’s u-turn on the BBC Singers is positive news. However, their future and 43 jobs in the BBC Concert, Philharmonic and Symphony orchestras are still at risk. Published: 03 April 2023 Read more about Take Action to Stop Job Cuts at BBC Orchestras and Protect the BBC Singers After September
Joint MU-NEU Music Education Motion Passed at NEU Conference The motion and speech highlighted the importance of arts and music education in schools and the need for proper funding. Published: 03 April 2023 Read more about Joint MU-NEU Music Education Motion Passed at NEU Conference
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
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
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
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
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
Scotland Lobbying Update: The Need for Ongoing and Sustainable Investment A brief update on recent lobbying activity in Scotland from MU Regional Organiser for Scotland & Northern Ireland Caroline Sewell, who has been discussing arts funding, instrumental music provision and the wellbeing economy amongst other issues. Published: 16 March 2023 Read more about Scotland Lobbying Update: The Need for Ongoing and Sustainable Investment
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
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
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 Meets with Organisers of Doune the Rabbit Hole Following Liquidation We understand that the festival plans on repaying outstanding debts realistically over the next three years, and encourage members planning to work at the 2023 event to contact the MU for advice on agreements and rates. Published: 08 March 2023 Read more about MU Meets with Organisers of Doune the Rabbit Hole Following Liquidation
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
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