News & Stories for Musicians

Photograph of a busker performing outdoors.

Parliamentary Recess Doesn’t Mean We’ve Quietened Down, a Lobbying Update

MU Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez: “Parliament is currently in recess and so not sitting, but that doesn’t mean that we have quietened down our lobbying efforts.”

Published: 09 April 2020

New Support Announced for Musicians in Wales

The Welsh Government, Creative Wales, and the Arts Council of Wales have announced a number of measures including an Urgent Response Fund for individuals, and a Grassroots Music Relief Fund.

Published: 08 April 2020

Call for Information from Members Who Have Received Online Performance Requests

We would like to hear from any members who have recently been asked to stream their performances to private audiences, so we can develop how we meet your needs during disruption from the coronavirus.

Published: 08 April 2020

Setting Up to Perform Online

Facing the cancellation of shows and other Covid-19 disruptions, artist and composer Robin Rimbaud tells us how he, “felt it was important to immediately embrace the tools at hand, and like many creatives use the power of technology to respond positively.”

Published: 08 April 2020

Band Goes on Virtual Tour to Raise Money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

Manchester Alt Rock band False Advertising are going on tour – over the internet. Their aim is to spread good will and raise some donations.

Published: 07 April 2020

Phone screen displaying art work, held by a hand.

Online Commission for Musicians and Other Artists in the North of England

FACT, the UK’s leading media arts centre, is offering 10 early-career artists in any genre (including music) a grant of £1,500 to develop an idea that will be presented online.

Published: 07 April 2020

Making marks on a sheet music in front of a piano

New Sustaining Creativity Fund from PRS Foundation

PRS Foundation is offering grants to support artists, songwriters and composers in creating, developing and music making – however that looks in our current times.

Published: 06 April 2020

Musicians transporting music instruments while travelling

New Guidance from Thompsons Solicitors on Employee Rights

These two new documents may be of use to employed members looking to know more about going on furlough under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), and for employed members who are currently outside of the UK.

Published: 06 April 2020

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

MU Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez: “Our focus at the moment is on lobbying for members who are currently ineligible for either of the Government’s assistance schemes for employed and self-employed workers.”

Published: 03 April 2020

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Arts Council England (ACE) will be opening round one of applications for the fund on 9 April 2020, providing creative practitioners affected by the coronavirus outbreak with grants of up to £2,500.

Published: 03 April 2020

Older image on Andi sat in concert style seating.

Working in Isolation: “If Anyone Can Get Through This, Musicians Can.”

Andi Hopgood, musician, vocalist, tutor and Vice Chair of the MU Executive Committee, tells us about what happened when she had to "make the difficult decision to isolate early on the 16 March".

Published: 03 April 2020

kids in a band playing imaginary instruments

Life Changing Stories Shared as Part of #SupportMyMusicTeacher

Did your music teacher change your life? We asked our community of musicians on Twitter about the teachers who shaped them.

Published: 02 April 2020

New Contract for Online Teaching

We’ve put together a new contract for teachers moving to online work. The contract can be used digitally, and should cover potential changes to your practice.

Published: 02 April 2020

Empty stage with music instruments and lights on

Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves

A reminder that limited company directors can receive assistance through the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). This may assist some members who would otherwise fall through the cracks of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

Published: 02 April 2020

Jumping into online teaching

In this first-hand account, Rick Finlay - professional drummer, teacher, and vice-chair of our Executive Committee - charts the ups and downs of moving his teaching practice into the online world.

Published: 01 April 2020

A woman sitting with a laptop on a sofa at home

Rockschool Ltd Moves Exams to Video Format

Teachers moving their practice online, may be interested to learn that they can also continue to enter students into Rockschool exams – which can now be taken over video.

Published: 01 April 2020

Greater Manchester Commissions Creative Responses to COVID-19

Greater Manchester Combined Authority has granted 60 micro commissions worth £500.

Published: 31 March 2020

three people sitting hold the shapes of comment boxes and thought clouds

Scottish Members Encouraged to Respond to STUC Survey on Job Security

Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) launches new survey to find out what is happening to workers’ safety and jobs across Scotland.

Published: 31 March 2020

Our Updated Call on Government to Protect the Self-Employed

It is vital that no musicians are left to fall through the cracks by Government’s new self-employment Income Support Scheme. That’s why we’re urging members to continue to write to MPs with our revised calls for action.

Published: 31 March 2020

Belfast City Hall in Northern Ireland, UK

Northern Ireland Communities Minister Announces Support for Performers

Northern Ireland Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA instructed officials to put in place immediate and practical steps to help support Artists, Performers and Creative Producers across the arts and cultural sector.

Published: 30 March 2020

Happy man with a guitar against blue background

Creative Scotland Launches Three New Funding Programs

The new funds announced by Creative Scotland on 27 March are designed to provide further support to sustain Scotland’s creative community during the coronavirus outbreak. Two of these funds open for applications today.

Published: 30 March 2020

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BBC Opens Funding Towards Works for a Virtual Festival

The BBC is inviting artists to apply for funding to create new works for its virtual festival Culture in Quarantine. Applications will open later this week.

Published: 30 March 2020

Two people helping each other to climb a mountain

Crowdfunder for MU Hardship Fund Blows Past Target in Six Days

Musicians and music lovers have donated more than £11,600 to the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund in just six days.

Published: 30 March 2020

MU Coronavirus Hardship fund text over yellow background

MU Coronavirus Fund Extends Eligibility Criteria

It has now been agreed to widen eligibility criteria for grants from the fund to include all full membership subscription rate payers and joint NEU / EIS / UCU MU members.

Published: 30 March 2020

Make Sure No Musician is Left Behind by Government's New Scheme for the Self-Employed

Although Government’s new financial relief scheme for the self-employed contains good news for many of our members – it is vital that no musicians are left to fall through the cracks.

Published: 27 March 2020

Government Announcement on Measures to Protect the Self-Employed Anticipated

The prime minister announced last night (Wednesday 25 March) that Government is preparing to announce measures that should put the self-employed on “parity” with employees.

Published: 26 March 2020

Crowdfunder for Coronavirus Hardship Fund More Than Triples in Under Two Days

Since opening, our Crowdfunder to raise more money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund is fast gaining momentum – growing from £1,865 on the evening of Tuesday 24 March to almost £6000.

Published: 26 March 2020

A woman in from of the laptop and in headphones smiling

Members’ Discount For Two Week Course on Teaching Music Online

Music:Ed is offering its readers, which include Musicians’ Union members a 25% discount on its latest training course for music teachers moving over to online lessons.

Published: 26 March 2020

The Government Announces a Welcome Plan for the Self-Employed

After weeks of lobbying MPs and Ministers, the MU has welcomed the package of help that the Government has announced for the self-employed.

Published: 26 March 2020

A woman's head overlayed with the clouded sky

MITC Launches Free Guide to Anxiety Relief and Self Isolation For Musicians

Music Industry Therapists & Coaches (MITC) have launched a Guide To Anxiety Relief and Self Isolation – this free, supportive resource is available for download from their website.

Published: 25 March 2020

A woman looking at a vinyl in the record store

Support Your Favourite Independent Record Shop With #LoveRecordStores

On Thursday 26 March, musicians, artists, actors and celebrity music fans around the world showing their love for their favourite independent record store over the hashtag #LoveRecordStores.

Published: 25 March 2020

PRS for Music Launches Membership Emergency Relief Fund

The new fund, which will open for applications at 9:00 am on Thursday 26 March, offers money to support songwriters and composers during unprecedented times of hardship.

Published: 25 March 2020

A man with a guitar standing in the field against the sunlight

Help Musicians Opens New Hardship Fund

The Help Musicians Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund is now available. Eligible musicians can apply for a one-off grant of £500.

Published: 25 March 2020

A woman learning to play violin at home remotely

Teaching Rates Should Still Apply for Online Education

MU National Organiser for Education and Training Diane Widdison answers the question, “Should teachers charge the same for teaching online as they do when teaching face to face?” Our advice is yes - they should.

Published: 25 March 2020

Call For Government to Protect Musicians Gains Media Coverage Across the UK

Huge numbers of members and non-member musicians have responded to our coronavirus impact survey.

Published: 24 March 2020

Happy healthy female musician playing ukelele

BAPAM Moves Healthy Performance Events Online

The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) have set themselves up to begin running their training events online, with course topics ranging from vocal health to injury prevention and keeping mentally well.

Published: 24 March 2020

Ask Your MP to Support Coronavirus Bill Amendment Protecting Freelancers

Update: This amendment is no longer on the table, but Government is currently looking in intense detail at providing help for the self-employed. We still recommend that you write to your MP using the three asks below.

Published: 24 March 2020

Government Promises That Help is Coming for the Self-Employed

Following intense lobbying from the MU and others, the Government has today promised that the self-employed have not been forgotten and that ‘help is coming’.

Published: 24 March 2020

A music fan at the concert holding their hands in the heart shape

Help Provide Immediate Support for Musicians in Real Financial Hardship

We know it’s a difficult time, but if you can please donate to support our fund for musicians facing genuine financial hardship.

Published: 24 March 2020

A woman sitting on a sofa with the laptop and learning online

Arts Council England Offers Digital Assistance

Arts Council England (ACE) have announced that their Digital Culture Network will be collating free resources, webinars and support organisations.

Published: 23 March 2020

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Parliamentary Recess Doesn’t Mean We’ve Quietened Down, a Lobbying Update

New Support Announced for Musicians in Wales

Call for Information from Members Who Have Received Online Performance Requests

Setting Up to Perform Online

Band Goes on Virtual Tour to Raise Money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

Online Commission for Musicians and Other Artists in the North of England

New Sustaining Creativity Fund from PRS Foundation

New Guidance from Thompsons Solicitors on Employee Rights

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Working in Isolation: “If Anyone Can Get Through This, Musicians Can.”

Life Changing Stories Shared as Part of #SupportMyMusicTeacher

New Contract for Online Teaching

Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves

Jumping into online teaching

Rockschool Ltd Moves Exams to Video Format

Greater Manchester Commissions Creative Responses to COVID-19

Scottish Members Encouraged to Respond to STUC Survey on Job Security

Our Updated Call on Government to Protect the Self-Employed

Northern Ireland Communities Minister Announces Support for Performers

Creative Scotland Launches Three New Funding Programs

BBC Opens Funding Towards Works for a Virtual Festival

Crowdfunder for MU Hardship Fund Blows Past Target in Six Days

MU Coronavirus Fund Extends Eligibility Criteria

Make Sure No Musician is Left Behind by Government's New Scheme for the Self-Employed

Government Announcement on Measures to Protect the Self-Employed Anticipated

Crowdfunder for Coronavirus Hardship Fund More Than Triples in Under Two Days

Members’ Discount For Two Week Course on Teaching Music Online

The Government Announces a Welcome Plan for the Self-Employed

MITC Launches Free Guide to Anxiety Relief and Self Isolation For Musicians

Support Your Favourite Independent Record Shop With #LoveRecordStores

PRS for Music Launches Membership Emergency Relief Fund

Help Musicians Opens New Hardship Fund

Teaching Rates Should Still Apply for Online Education

Call For Government to Protect Musicians Gains Media Coverage Across the UK

BAPAM Moves Healthy Performance Events Online

Ask Your MP to Support Coronavirus Bill Amendment Protecting Freelancers

Government Promises That Help is Coming for the Self-Employed

Help Provide Immediate Support for Musicians in Real Financial Hardship

Arts Council England Offers Digital Assistance