News & Stories for Musicians

View of the Houses of Parliament in London.

MPs Criticise ACE Funding Cuts in Debate in Parliament

The MU briefed MPs ahead of the debate that was held in Westminster Hall this week.

Published: 20 January 2023

What the NEU and EIS Strikes Mean for MU Members

Following ballots, two of the MU’s sister unions have announced strike action. The MU stands in solidarity with both unions’ members.

Published: 19 January 2023

PRS for Music and PRS Foundation Announce New Multi-year Funding Agreement

With £2.5m in funding already committed for this year, the new agreement will see an increase in year-on-year funding allocated to PRS Foundations work to support new music and talent development.

Published: 18 January 2023

MU Briefing: What MPs Need to Know About Arts Council England Funding Cuts

Facts, figures and Union talking points about arts funding to use in your own conversations with friends, colleagues and decision-makers.

Published: 18 January 2023

MU General Secretary’s New Year Message to Orchestral Players

What the union is doing to improve orchestral players’ pay and conditions? MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to members at this year’s Orchestras Annual General Meeting.

Published: 18 January 2023

Dome of the London Coliseum, English National Opera and Theatre against the blue sky

ENO Receives National Lottery Funding for the Next Year

English National Opera will receive £11.46m National Lottery funding for 2023-24.

Published: 17 January 2023

MU Orchestras AGM Focuses on Improving Pay, Conditions and Arts Funding

MU members came together at Trades Union Congress headquarters for the union’s Orchestras Annual General Meeting.

Published: 17 January 2023

New TUC General Secretary Launches Campaign to Protect the Right to Strike

The Trades Union Congress will fight new anti-strike legislation every step of the way supported by member unions including the Musicians’ Union.

Published: 13 January 2023

In black and white we see a persons legs, holding a guitar and standing in front of a large amplifier.

MU Welcomes DCMS Select Committee's Report Pushing for Fair Remuneration for Artists From Streaming

The new report by the Department for Culture, Digital, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee is recommending more of a focus on fair remuneration in the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) process examining music streaming.

Published: 13 January 2023

A large crowd marches in central London, some MU branded signs read Fund The Arts and Love ENO.

Impact of Arts Funding Cuts Highlighted in Leafleting Drive

Musicians’ Union members took to the Coliseum for a leafleting session on Friday 6 January, talking to audience members about the impact of arts funding cuts on opera and ballet.

Published: 13 January 2023

How Function Bands are Faring Three Years after Covid Struck

With parties, weddings and corporate events cancelled during Covid, work for function bands vanished overnight. Three years on, four leading acts reveal how they have been faring.

Published: 05 January 2023

Alex Gascoine, a white man with grey hair and a brightly coloured mint green short is leaning against a white painted wall and smiling into the camera.

Executive Committee Chair Commits to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at MU Members’ Conference

Chair of the Musicians’ Union Executive Committee Alex Gascoine opened Members’ Conference with a clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Published: 16 December 2022

Red post box stands in front of a brick wall in the bright sunshine.

Solidarity and the Cost of Living Crisis

The MU would like to express solidarity with other union workers who are on strike this week, including nurses, postal workers and railway staff.

Published: 16 December 2022

Person sorting a large pile of papers with lots of individual colourful clips.

Home Made Agreements: Key Information

Bookings and an increase in ‘home made’ agreements were on the agenda at the latest MU’s Wales and South West England Regional Committee meeting. What does that mean for you?

Published: 16 December 2022

Speaker panel discussions at the MU Members' Conference 2022

Celebrating Culturally Diverse Organisations in the Arts Council England National Portfolio

We need more arts funding, not less, to make sure that a career as a musician is available and accessible to everyone.

Published: 14 December 2022

A clear shot of a microphone against a blurred background that implies there are a lot of chairs set out for audience members.

Bursary Available For a Disabled Woman MU Member to Access Leadership Development Programme

A full bursary will be available for the transformational leadership development programme, the Music Leaders Network, and we will be running an online drop in information session on Wednesday 11 January.

Published: 12 December 2022

Arts funding cuts demo in front of the DCMS

MU Supports Latest ENO Statement on Funding Cuts

The MU agrees with English National Opera that Arts Council England needs to provide further clarity, and the Union remains committed to fighting the cuts altogether.

Published: 09 December 2022

Disability History Month: The Contribution of Lived Experience

MU Member Audrey Gray, Creative Projects Manager and CEO of Gospel Music Industry Alliance (GMIA) talks about her experience as a member of multiple EDI Networks and how lived experiences can contribute to much needed solutions.

Published: 01 December 2022

Musician protesters with Fix Streaming plackards

Competition and Markets Authority Says Low Pay From Music Streaming Not a Competition Issue

The Competition and Markets Authority has published its final report after campaigning by the Musicians’ Union, the Ivors Academy and Broken Record.

Published: 30 November 2022

A music teacher holds up a tambourine, we can see the blurred figures of a class in the background.

Future of Music Education Hubs Clarified by Arts Council England

Long awaited details have been provided of the timeline for a bidding process for new hubs, with funding for the current hubs now safe until August 2024.

Published: 24 November 2022

School age kid learning guitar with private teacher

MU Education Section Reaches 10,000 Members

As of November, the number of members in the MU’s Education Section is now over 10,000 – approximately a one-third increase since 2020, demonstrating the importance of teaching and education to MU members.

Published: 24 November 2022

A small child is signing in BSL, with just their hands and arms in the focus of the camera.

UK Music Unveils 2022 Workforce Diversity Survey Results and Action Plan

UK Music has launched its Diversity Report 2022, including the findings of its Workforce Diversity Survey 2022 and an action plan for long-term change.

Published: 24 November 2022

Naomi Pohl speaking in a microphone in a crowd in front of DCMS building

Entertainment Unions Protest Outside Government Department

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl today joined members in a protest outside DCMS to demand an increase in arts funding.

Published: 22 November 2022

french horn players during a classical concert music

Disability History Month: Being a Deaf Musician is not Easy

In our first special feature from Disabled History Month, Professional Musician and member of the MU Executive Committee and ED&I Committee, Nigel Braithwaite talks about his experiences of being a disabled musician.

Published: 21 November 2022

Entrance sign to the UK government building for the DCMS on London's Whitehall, England.

Take Part in Arts Council England Funding Cuts Protest on Tuesday 22 November

Join MU, Equity and BECTU members outside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for a protest against cuts to English National Opera and other arts organisations.

Published: 18 November 2022

Celebration blur of different colours and gold.

Black Lives in Music Celebrate Their Second Year Anniversary

The MU is proud to be an official partner organisation of Black Lives in Music, who are celebrating two incredible years of advocating for Black representation in the music industry.

Published: 18 November 2022

MU Meets with Arts Council England Following Arts Funding Cuts

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has met with Arts Council England (ACE) as the union campaigns to reverse damaging funding cuts to English National Opera and others.

Published: 11 November 2022

Quiet figure sits at the end of a dock, watching a sun rise over a body of water.

Resources for National Stress Awareness Week

Work related stress is a trade union issue. For National Stress Awareness Week running 7-11 November we’ve put together a reminder on the resources available to members.

Published: 11 November 2022

Members of conference smile and clap, while one delegate stands and speaks from the floor.

What is a Motion and How Do You Write One For MU Delegate Conference?

Trade unions are full of jargon. One of our favourites is the word ‘motion’. But, like most bits of jargon, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

Published: 10 November 2022

Musician playing a flute in an orchestral section, only the hands of the musician are visible.

Letter to Prime Minister Calls for Universal Basic Income

The Musicians’ Union joins politicians, academics and civil society organisations calling on the Prime Minister to introduce a universal basic income.

Published: 09 November 2022

Banner signs outside the London Coliseum Theatre advertising performances of the English National Opera (ENO)

MU in Urgent Talks Following Major Funding Cuts to English National Opera and Other Arts Organisations

The Musicians' Union (MU) has today heavily criticised the decision by Arts Council England (ACE) to make major cuts in public funding to English National Opera (ENO) and other arts organisations.

Published: 04 November 2022

Two people are talking using sign language sat on a sofa.

TUC Announces New Leadership Schools for LGBT+ and Disabled Workers

The TUC is launching brand new leadership schools for LGBT+ and Disabled Workers.

Published: 03 November 2022

Photo of DJ Paulette, smiling downwards in a t-shirt that reads

MU Congratulates DJ Paulette on DJ Mag Lifetime Achievement Win

DJ Paulette recently performed at the MU Members’ Conference 2022, closing day one with an exclusive set for delegates, and has now won a Lifetime Achievement award in DJ magazine’s top 100 DJs.

Published: 03 November 2022

People placing their vote at the MU Delegate Conference 2019, with cards held over head.

Young Workers’ Month 2022: Using Your Power as a Musicians’ Union Member

One of the most powerful things you can do as an MU member is get involved in the MU Delegate Conference.

Published: 02 November 2022

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl holds a red sign reading

Trade Union Movement Backs MU Position on Touring in the EU at TUC

Musicians’ Union member Robert Scott moved a motion on touring in the EU at the TUC’s annual Congress.

Published: 31 October 2022

A drummer in a bright yellow jumper is playing on a kit in a practice room, looking to the side at a music stand.

TUC 2022 Supports Better Pay and Conditions for Instrumental and Vocal Teachers

People from across the trade union movement voiced their support for the MU’s music teacher members at Trades Union Congress 2022.

Published: 28 October 2022

Young woman playing and singing on grand piano alone in concert hall during daytime.

MU’s Response to ‘Misogyny in Music’ Inquiry Published

In July we submitted a response to the HoC Women and Equalities Committee 'Misogyny in Music' Inquiry. Our submission has now been accepted and published online, here we outline some key highlights.

Published: 25 October 2022

Veronika Klírová outside on grass in seated side bend yoga pose.

Musicians’ Yoga Essentials Course Launched For MU Members

MU members now have free access to the uniquely designed course tailored for musicians created by MU member and yoga teacher Veronika Klírová.

Published: 24 October 2022

Naomi Pohl speaking into a microphone next to George Peretz KC on a panel at Labour Conference.

MU General Secretary Joins Calls For Urgent General Election

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl talks about our presence at this year's party conferences and what’s going on in music education, touring in Europe and orchestras, theatre and arts funding.

Published: 20 October 2022

Findings Show Classical Music Industry at Risk of Losing Talent and Decreasing in Diversity

The MU was one of many organisations to help fund groundbreaking research into a report which finds that the Classical Music sector is failing its parent and carer workforce.

Published: 20 October 2022

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MPs Criticise ACE Funding Cuts in Debate in Parliament

What the NEU and EIS Strikes Mean for MU Members

PRS for Music and PRS Foundation Announce New Multi-year Funding Agreement

MU Briefing: What MPs Need to Know About Arts Council England Funding Cuts

MU General Secretary’s New Year Message to Orchestral Players

ENO Receives National Lottery Funding for the Next Year

MU Orchestras AGM Focuses on Improving Pay, Conditions and Arts Funding

New TUC General Secretary Launches Campaign to Protect the Right to Strike

MU Welcomes DCMS Select Committee's Report Pushing for Fair Remuneration for Artists From Streaming

Impact of Arts Funding Cuts Highlighted in Leafleting Drive

How Function Bands are Faring Three Years after Covid Struck

Executive Committee Chair Commits to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at MU Members’ Conference

Solidarity and the Cost of Living Crisis

Home Made Agreements: Key Information

Celebrating Culturally Diverse Organisations in the Arts Council England National Portfolio

Bursary Available For a Disabled Woman MU Member to Access Leadership Development Programme

MU Supports Latest ENO Statement on Funding Cuts

Disability History Month: The Contribution of Lived Experience

Competition and Markets Authority Says Low Pay From Music Streaming Not a Competition Issue

Future of Music Education Hubs Clarified by Arts Council England

MU Education Section Reaches 10,000 Members

UK Music Unveils 2022 Workforce Diversity Survey Results and Action Plan

Entertainment Unions Protest Outside Government Department

Disability History Month: Being a Deaf Musician is not Easy

Take Part in Arts Council England Funding Cuts Protest on Tuesday 22 November

Black Lives in Music Celebrate Their Second Year Anniversary

MU Meets with Arts Council England Following Arts Funding Cuts

Resources for National Stress Awareness Week

What is a Motion and How Do You Write One For MU Delegate Conference?

Letter to Prime Minister Calls for Universal Basic Income

MU in Urgent Talks Following Major Funding Cuts to English National Opera and Other Arts Organisations

TUC Announces New Leadership Schools for LGBT+ and Disabled Workers

MU Congratulates DJ Paulette on DJ Mag Lifetime Achievement Win

Young Workers’ Month 2022: Using Your Power as a Musicians’ Union Member

Trade Union Movement Backs MU Position on Touring in the EU at TUC

TUC 2022 Supports Better Pay and Conditions for Instrumental and Vocal Teachers

MU’s Response to ‘Misogyny in Music’ Inquiry Published

Musicians’ Yoga Essentials Course Launched For MU Members

MU General Secretary Joins Calls For Urgent General Election

Findings Show Classical Music Industry at Risk of Losing Talent and Decreasing in Diversity