Brexit Extended for up to Six Months Following talks between European Union leaders and Prime Minister Theresa May, Brexit has been extended for up to six months. Published: 11 April 2019 Read more about Brexit Extended for up to Six Months
Highlights From the TUC Young Workers Conference The Musicians’ Union (MU) was delighted to take a delegation to the TUC Young Workers’ Conference 2019. Published: 05 April 2019 Read more about Highlights From the TUC Young Workers Conference
Shaping the Future, Paving the Way: Manifesto For Change (Part 1) A manifesto of change produced by participants of the MU Women in Music conference 2019. Published: 05 April 2019 Read more about Shaping the Future, Paving the Way: Manifesto For Change (Part 1)
New Musicians' Union Research Reveals Perilous State of Music Education and Calls on Government to Let Every Child Learn Music The Musicians’ Union (MU) has launched State of Play, a comprehensive report into the state of music education, following extensive research led by Dr Jonathan Savage (Manchester Metropolitan University) and David Barnard (MU Music Education Official). Published: 02 April 2019 Read more about New Musicians' Union Research Reveals Perilous State of Music Education and Calls on Government to Let Every Child Learn Music
New Report Makes Urgent Recommendations for Future of Music Education New Musicians’ Union (MU) research reveals the perilous state of music education in England, caused by chaotic education policies that have created a postcode lottery in provision. Published: 02 April 2019 Read more about New Report Makes Urgent Recommendations for Future of Music Education
Naomi Pohl Recognised on the shesaid.so Alternative Power 100 Music List We are delighted that Musicians’ Union (MU) Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl is recognised on the shesaid.so Alternative Power 100 Music List. This year’s theme is community, a value at the heart of the trade union movement. Published: 02 April 2019 Read more about Naomi Pohl Recognised on the shesaid.so Alternative Power 100 Music List
Brexit Deal Voted Down in Parliament for the Third Time Theresa May’s Brexit deal has today been voted down by the House of Commons. The UK now has until 12 April 2019 to set out its next steps. Any delay beyond 12 April will be dependent on approval from the EU. Published: 29 March 2019 Read more about Brexit Deal Voted Down in Parliament for the Third Time
MU/UK Theatre Rate increases from 1 April 2019 The following rate increases will apply from 1 April 2019 for musicians working under the Musicians’ Union’s (MU) agreement with UK Theatre. Published: 29 March 2019 Read more about MU/UK Theatre Rate increases from 1 April 2019
New Musicians’ Union Live Advice The MU launches Fair Engagement Guide for Performing and Touring with Featured Artists. Published: 28 March 2019 Read more about New Musicians’ Union Live Advice
Release of New Report on Music Education in Scotland Highlights Concerns The new research project pulls together findings and recommendations for music education in Scotland. Published: 28 March 2019 Read more about Release of New Report on Music Education in Scotland Highlights Concerns
Monthly Feldenkrais classes starting from May 2019 The Musicians’ Union (MU) will be holding a series of workshops exploring how your habits of movement can constrain your potential – both on and off the stage. Published: 28 March 2019 Read more about Monthly Feldenkrais classes starting from May 2019
Members’ Discount Available on Music Education Toolkit ‘Music Tutor’s Hero’ ‘Music Tutor’s Hero’ aims to help self-employed music teachers deliver interactive lessons for pupils and parents whilst enhancing their teaching business. Published: 28 March 2019 Read more about Members’ Discount Available on Music Education Toolkit ‘Music Tutor’s Hero’
Home of Metal Symposium and Workshop: Call for Papers and Workshop Participants Home of Metal is a celebration of the music that was born in Birmingham. It’s exhibitions and events seek to join the dots between music, social history, visual art and fan cultures to produce a new perspective on Heavy Metal. Published: 28 March 2019 Read more about Home of Metal Symposium and Workshop: Call for Papers and Workshop Participants
Musicians’ Union Welcomes Copyright Directive Success The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted that the European Parliament has passed the final Copyright Directive text. Published: 26 March 2019 Read more about Musicians’ Union Welcomes Copyright Directive Success
Musicians’ Union Welcomes Brexit Delay The Musicians’ Union (MU) has welcomed the European Union’s (EU) offer to postpone Brexit beyond 29 March. We had real concerns that parliament would not come to an agreement in time to avoid a No Deal scenario. Published: 21 March 2019 Read more about Musicians’ Union Welcomes Brexit Delay
MU and ABO launch Manifesto for British Orchestras The MU and the ABO have created a joint Manifesto for British Orchestras and are collectively inviting orchestras to sign up. Published: 21 March 2019 Read more about MU and ABO launch Manifesto for British Orchestras
Report Released Recommending that Government Must Act Now to Protect Music A new report from the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee says the Government must act now to protect music. The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted to see the inquiry take on board our concerns about working in the European Union (EU) post-Brexit. Published: 20 March 2019 Read more about Report Released Recommending that Government Must Act Now to Protect Music
Breaking the Class Ceiling: Social Mobility The Performers’ Alliance All Party Parliamentary Group is looking into social mobility in the creative sector, including music. Published: 19 March 2019 Read more about Breaking the Class Ceiling: Social Mobility
Call for Members Working as Traditional Musicians in Scotland to Complete Survey The Traditional Music Forum has launched a survey which aims to capture the economic realities for traditional and folk musicians in Scotland today. Published: 18 March 2019 Read more about Call for Members Working as Traditional Musicians in Scotland to Complete Survey
Musicians in the Midlands Encouraged to Take Part in Arts Council England Research Survey Arts Council England (ACE) are running a survey to identify and assess the challenges, opportunities and funding needs within the Midlands’ music scene, enabling them to target future support effectively. Published: 18 March 2019 Read more about Musicians in the Midlands Encouraged to Take Part in Arts Council England Research Survey
Win a Goodie Bag by Completing a SkillCheck Quiz with Unionlearn SkillCheck is a tool created by unionlearn for the use of unions to help deliver learning in the workplace. Published: 18 March 2019 Read more about Win a Goodie Bag by Completing a SkillCheck Quiz with Unionlearn
Musicians’ Union Support for the People’s Vote March The Musicians' Union (MU) will have a presence at the People’s Vote march in London on 23 March, and has t-shirts and placards available for members who plan to attend. Published: 15 March 2019 Read more about Musicians’ Union Support for the People’s Vote March
A Tribute to John Edney A tribute to John Edney, 30 August 1935 – 23 January 2019. Compiled from tributes by Nigel Douglas, Steve Dagg and John Smith. Published: 14 March 2019 Read more about A Tribute to John Edney
Mentoring Scheme for Female MU Members Launched The MU and shesaid.so have combined forces to support women in the industry by matching fellow musicians together, to help one another grow and succeed in their careers. Published: 13 March 2019 Read more about Mentoring Scheme for Female MU Members Launched
Musicians’ Union to Attend Trades Union Congress Women’s Conference The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted to be attending Trades Union Congress (TUC) Women’s Conference once again this Women’s History Month. Published: 07 March 2019 Read more about Musicians’ Union to Attend Trades Union Congress Women’s Conference
Young Guns Network Talks Sponsorship and Finding Funding Young Guns Network’s latest panel looked at sponsorship and how you can find funding for new releases, events and other music industry projects. Published: 06 March 2019 Read more about Young Guns Network Talks Sponsorship and Finding Funding
Labour Party Backs a Second Referendum The Musicians’ Union (MU) welcomes Jeremy Corbyn’s announcement that the Labour Party backs a second referendum, in line with Labour policy decided by members and affiliate trade unions at Labour Party Conference in September. Published: 28 February 2019 Read more about Labour Party Backs a Second Referendum
Cross-party Support Gathered for UK Music’s Call on Chancellor to Help Music Venues with Business Rate Rebate The Musicians’ Union (MU) welcomes news of cross-party support from senior MPs following UK Music’s call for grassroots music venues to be eligible to apply for business rates discounts. Published: 27 February 2019 Read more about Cross-party Support Gathered for UK Music’s Call on Chancellor to Help Music Venues with Business Rate Rebate
New Research Highlights Growing Gender Gap in Pop Music New research from the BBC is putting the spotlight on the gender gap in the pop music. Musicians’ Union (MU) National Organiser for Scotland & Northern Ireland Caroline Sewell spoke to BBC Radio Scotland about the challenges women in pop face. Published: 21 February 2019 Read more about New Research Highlights Growing Gender Gap in Pop Music
Tentative Agreement Reached on the EU's Copyright Framework The Musicians’ Union (MU) welcomes the news that European decision-makers have reached a tentative agreement to bring the EU’s copyright framework into the 21st century. Published: 15 February 2019 Read more about Tentative Agreement Reached on the EU's Copyright Framework
Stand Up to Zero-Hours Contracts this HeartUnions Week This HeartUnions Week, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) is calling on you to take a stand against zero-hours contracts. Published: 11 February 2019 Read more about Stand Up to Zero-Hours Contracts this HeartUnions Week
UK Council of Music Makers’ Urgent Call for Negotiators to Proceed With the Copyright Directive The Copyright Directive is under immediate threat from lobbying. The UK Council of Music Makers, of which the MU is a member, is urgently calling on negotiators to proceed with the Copyright Directive. Published: 08 February 2019 Read more about UK Council of Music Makers’ Urgent Call for Negotiators to Proceed With the Copyright Directive
Petition for UK Ivory Bill Exemption to Protect the Trade and Value of Antique Bows There are concerns that the UK Ivory Bill, which is due to come into force later in 2019, will cause significant issues for owners of antique bows. A petition is in circulation, calling for a new exemption to be added. Published: 07 February 2019 Read more about Petition for UK Ivory Bill Exemption to Protect the Trade and Value of Antique Bows
Scottish Trades Union Congress Opens Survey on Mental Health in the Workplace for #TimeToTalk Day The survey aims to look at the root causes of mental ill health in work, how to challenge these, and wider societal issues around mental health. Published: 07 February 2019 Read more about Scottish Trades Union Congress Opens Survey on Mental Health in the Workplace for #TimeToTalk Day
Transmission Fund From Help Musicians UK Opens for Applications The Transmission Fund provides grants of £500 - £1,500 to fund opportunities that focus on developing your artistic practice and furthering your professional development at a crucial point in your career. Published: 06 February 2019 Read more about Transmission Fund From Help Musicians UK Opens for Applications
Protest to Be Held by Local School Students Against Midlothian Council’s Decision to Axe Instrument Tuition A musical flash mob will be gathering on Tuesday 12 February outside the council chambers in Dalkeith, to protest Midlothian Council’s recently announced plan to axe music tuition in its schools. Published: 05 February 2019 Read more about Protest to Be Held by Local School Students Against Midlothian Council’s Decision to Axe Instrument Tuition
Music Licensing Organisation PPL Announces Largest Ever Annual International Collection PPL has announced that their international collection has grown over 40 per cent from 2017 to 2018. The Musicians’ Union welcomes this announcement as excellent news for their members. Published: 04 February 2019 Read more about Music Licensing Organisation PPL Announces Largest Ever Annual International Collection
Musicians’ Union Responds with Anger to Plan by Midlothian Council to Sever Music Tuition in its Schools The MU has expressed its consternation at the announcement by Midlothian Council that it is set to entirely axe all musical instrument tuition in its schools - bar for children who are studying for Higher or National Five exams in the subject. Published: 04 February 2019 Read more about Musicians’ Union Responds with Anger to Plan by Midlothian Council to Sever Music Tuition in its Schools
LGBT+ History Month: Composer Hillman Mondegreen LGBT+ History Month explores the history, celebrates the present, and looks to the future of LGBT+ people in the UK. Hillman Mondegreen, composer for Ephemerals, explores. Published: 31 January 2019 Read more about LGBT+ History Month: Composer Hillman Mondegreen
Musicians’ Union Meets With PledgeMusic to Discuss Outstanding Payments The Musicians’ Union (MU) met today with crowdfunding platform PledgeMusic, to discuss outstanding payments owed to musicians. Published: 30 January 2019 Read more about Musicians’ Union Meets With PledgeMusic to Discuss Outstanding Payments