News & Stories for Musicians

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Jaxsta Pro Is Now Free for Musicians in 2020

This comprehensive resource for official music credits is offering its services to musicians for free for the rest of 2020.

Published: 17 June 2020

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Catch up With the Special #FixStreaming Edition of Music & Coffee

Music & Coffee hosted a special edition live-steam focusing on the #FixSteaming campaign, and it’s now available to watch on YouTube.

Published: 17 June 2020

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International Reggae Day to be Held Online

The London, UK hub event marking International Reggae Day (IRD) that can be consumed from anywhere with an internet connection!

Published: 17 June 2020

Refugee Week Online: An Interview with Nyaruach

Monday 15 June sees the launch of Refugee Week, moving online during the lockdown. In this interview, MU member & Counterpoints Arts music curator, Sashwati Mira Sengupta talks to Nyaruach, a singer from South Sudan and a featured artist, now seeking asylum in the UK.

Published: 16 June 2020

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Refugee Week Online: Share a Song

There are many different ways to celebrate Refugee Week, including the simple act of sharing a song.

Published: 16 June 2020

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Teaching Health & Safety Advice Released

We’ve released new health & safety advice for teachers working during the Covid-19 pandemic, to help members who are considering a return to work prepare.

Published: 15 June 2020

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Composers and Songwriters Face Growing Concerns for the Future

MU Live and Music Writers Official, Kelly Wood, discusses the “real fear that writers and composers will be suffering from the effects of this lockdown far beyond the reopening of other sectors across the industry”.

Published: 15 June 2020

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Gaps in Support Highlighted by Treasury Select Committee

A report from the Treasury Select Committee unanimously agrees that the Government must act now to help those locked out of support.

Published: 15 June 2020

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Sexual Harassment Court Case Success

The Evening Standard has covered the outcome of a court case fought by the MU as a result of sexual harassment reports made to our Safe Space service.

Published: 15 June 2020

BBC of Exceptional Value to Public During Crisis

We responded to a Select Committee inquiry into the future of public broadcasting, explaining why the BBC is essential to making sure that arts and culture and available to everyone.

Published: 12 June 2020

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Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

Pregnancy rights charity, Pregnant then Screwed, with support from Doughty Street Chambers and law firm Leigh Day, is threatening legal proceedings against the Chancellor for discriminating against women in the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

Published: 12 June 2020

Dismantling Racism: What to Read

Following our own participation in #TheShowMustBePaused last week, we’re sharing resources which members can use to turn awareness into action in order to create meaningful, long-term impact.

Published: 12 June 2020

Photo of a young student practicing the violin.

UK Classical Music Sector Highlighted in Letter to Secretary of State

The MU, Association of British Orchestras, BPI, Ivors Academy, Music Publishers Association and PRS for Music have written an open letter to Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport today, to highlight the importance of the UK's classical music sector.

Published: 12 June 2020

Live Performance Risk Assessment Advice for Freelancers Released

We’ve put together new guidance for freelance musicians, to help musicians prepare themselves for when venues to begin reopening.

Published: 12 June 2020

Call for Government Support Resonates Across Music Industry

Our evidence presented to the Government’s Select Committee, explaining how more support for the music industry is needed, has been fast gaining coverage across the media.

Published: 11 June 2020

Adaptive Musical Instruments Guide Launched by Creative United

Creative United has today launched the first edition of its Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments, distributed in partnership with the MU and Normans Musical Instruments.

Published: 10 June 2020

Fair Remuneration for Performers Streaming Survey

Campaign organisation PayPerformers is running a survey to better understand how current revenue distribution in the music industry is affecting performers.

Published: 10 June 2020

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Recording Session Agreement Variations Released in Reaction to Covid-19

We’ve published a few variations to our regular recording session agreement, taking into account the safety measures that need to be put in place during the Covid-19.

Published: 10 June 2020

Working to Re-Open the West End

The Stage have published details of a confidential letter received by the Union from the Society of London Theatre several weeks ago.

Published: 10 June 2020

Photograph of a statue of Slave Trader Edward Colston removed from its plinth by protestors in Bristol. Photo credit: Olumedia.co.uk

Decolonialising the Music Curriculum: Sign the Petition

Music exam boards can play a role in shaping a more positive future by ensuring greater diversity in their syllabuses, as can making a change to the broader curriculum.

Published: 09 June 2020

MU General Secretary gives evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge calls for an extension of the Government support schemes for musicians, an investigation into the streaming royalties model, and a Government support fund for the creative industries.

Published: 09 June 2020

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Dismantling Racism: Where to Donate

Following our own participation in #TheShowMustBePaused last week, we’re sharing resources which members can use to turn awareness into action in order to create meaningful, long-term impact.

Published: 08 June 2020

Photograph of small model figures placed on a social distancing grid.

Horace Trubridge Responds to BBC Article on Relaxing Two-metre Rule

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge explains, “we do not want musicians to go back to the workplace if by doing so they are risking their health or the health of others.”

Published: 08 June 2020

Young adult playing violin in isolation, wearing a surgical mask as encouraged by the Government in public spaces

Health and Safety Measures are Essential to Protecting Working People

The MU fully supports health and safety measures to control the virus and protect working people. We are discussing the relaxation of the two-metre rule with the Government only when it is safe to do so.

Published: 06 June 2020

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Fundraiser on Bandcamp Friday 5 June

Music platform Bandcamp are waiving their revenue share for all sales, from 8:00 am on Friday 5 June to 8:00 am on Saturday 6 June.

Published: 05 June 2020

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Select Committee on the Impact of Covid-19 on the Creative Industries

Our General Secretary Horace Trubridge will be giving evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the creative industries on Tuesday morning.

Published: 05 June 2020

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Racism is a Public Health Crisis

Black Lives Matter UK are calling on the on the public to show support for Black members of the community who are being disproportionately affected by Covid-19 with a musical response on Thursday 4 June.

Published: 03 June 2020

Protesters at a Black Lives Matter march in London.

Reflecting on #TheShowMustBePaused

Following #TheShowMustBePaused, we must now turn awareness into action in order to create meaningful, long-term impact.

Published: 03 June 2020

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Changes to Furlough Scheme From August Announced

Members who are employed, and currently being paid through the Government’s furlough scheme, should be aware of changes that will come into play from August onwards.

Published: 01 June 2020

We Will be Participating in #TheShowMustBePaused in Solidarity With our Black Members

The MU stands with our Black members and all Black communities against all forms of racism, violence and discrimination. When we say “behind every musician”, we mean it.

Published: 01 June 2020

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New Ways of Working: Teaching Choirs Online

Kerry Boyle, an experienced singing teacher and choral director, talks us through her personal experience of moving to online teaching with the choirs she works with, and the lessons she’s learnt along the way.

Published: 29 May 2020

Our Survey Results Highlight a Growing Threat to Theatre Musicians’ Livelihoods

The results of our survey of theatre musicians across the UK has confirmed the increasing financial hardship that our world-famous musical theatre industry will face in the coming months.

Published: 29 May 2020

Feldenkrais and Practice

Emma Alter, tutor for our regular (now Zoom based) Feldenkrais classes, discusses, “How do we as musicians incorporate or involve Feldenkrais in our instrumental (or singing) practice?” and how we can practice embodiment in our everyday movement too.

Published: 29 May 2020

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An Open Letter to Theatre and Performance Makers

Organisations from across the UK released an open letter earlier this week, addressed to all the freelance and self-employed workers involved in theatre.

Published: 29 May 2020

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BBC Proms Will Go Ahead in a New Format

The organisers behind the BBC Proms have stated that they are standing with music lovers everywhere, and musicians around the world affected by Covid-19, and that this year they plan to host the “Not the proms as we know them, the Proms as we need them.”

Published: 29 May 2020

Photo of a woman playing drums in isolation

Self Employed Income Support Scheme Extended

We welcome the Government’s announcement that the Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will now open for a second round of applications in August.

Published: 29 May 2020

Recording Sessions: A First Step Back on the Road to Recovery

Our Assistant General Secretary, Phil Kear, describes how the “Recording studios in England are on the threshold of welcoming back session musicians to fulfil a programme of recordings for film, TV, video games and commercial audio recordings.”

Published: 29 May 2020

Empty garden with brightly coloured bunting strung up.

A Return to Work: Pop up Gigs, Car Parks and Afternoon Tea

As we lobby for pop up gigs and other ways for musicians to return to work safely, MU Executive Committee and the North of England Regional Committee member Vernon Fuller talks about his first pop up gig in a care home car park and the difference it made to staff and residents.

Published: 28 May 2020

Photograph of guitarist playing while wearing a face mask.

Call on the Treasury to Extend Government Support for the Self Employed

The Self Employment Income Support Scheme, the Government’s support for freelancers, comes to an end in June. We urge the Government to continue to provide SEISS until at least October. Add your voice to our call.

Published: 28 May 2020

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Twitter Listening Party Raises over £6,000

The Broken Record Appeal, a Twitter listening party held by Tim Burgess over the weekend, smashed it’s fundraising target to raise over £6000 in funds. The money will be split between the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund and the PRS Emergency Relief Fund.

Published: 27 May 2020

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Jaxsta Pro Is Now Free for Musicians in 2020

Catch up With the Special #FixStreaming Edition of Music & Coffee

International Reggae Day to be Held Online

Refugee Week Online: An Interview with Nyaruach

Refugee Week Online: Share a Song

Teaching Health & Safety Advice Released

Composers and Songwriters Face Growing Concerns for the Future

Gaps in Support Highlighted by Treasury Select Committee

Sexual Harassment Court Case Success

BBC of Exceptional Value to Public During Crisis

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

Dismantling Racism: What to Read

UK Classical Music Sector Highlighted in Letter to Secretary of State

Live Performance Risk Assessment Advice for Freelancers Released

Call for Government Support Resonates Across Music Industry

Adaptive Musical Instruments Guide Launched by Creative United

Fair Remuneration for Performers Streaming Survey

Recording Session Agreement Variations Released in Reaction to Covid-19

Working to Re-Open the West End

Decolonialising the Music Curriculum: Sign the Petition

MU General Secretary gives evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee

Dismantling Racism: Where to Donate

Horace Trubridge Responds to BBC Article on Relaxing Two-metre Rule

Health and Safety Measures are Essential to Protecting Working People

Fundraiser on Bandcamp Friday 5 June

Select Committee on the Impact of Covid-19 on the Creative Industries

Racism is a Public Health Crisis

Reflecting on #TheShowMustBePaused

Changes to Furlough Scheme From August Announced

We Will be Participating in #TheShowMustBePaused in Solidarity With our Black Members

New Ways of Working: Teaching Choirs Online

Our Survey Results Highlight a Growing Threat to Theatre Musicians’ Livelihoods

Feldenkrais and Practice

An Open Letter to Theatre and Performance Makers

BBC Proms Will Go Ahead in a New Format

Self Employed Income Support Scheme Extended

Recording Sessions: A First Step Back on the Road to Recovery

A Return to Work: Pop up Gigs, Car Parks and Afternoon Tea

Call on the Treasury to Extend Government Support for the Self Employed

Twitter Listening Party Raises over £6,000