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
Musicians Required for Research into use of Backing Tracks and Stems in Live Performance Are you a touring musician, regularly record commercial audio, or both? The Recording & Broadcasting section is actively seeking members to help find out more about the use of backing tracks and stems – particularly on tours. Published: 29 January 2019 Read more about Musicians Required for Research into use of Backing Tracks and Stems in Live Performance
Musicians Will Need to be Aware of New Ultra Low Emission Zone in Central London An Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be in place in central London from 8 April 2019. Published: 22 January 2019 Read more about Musicians Will Need to be Aware of New Ultra Low Emission Zone in Central London
2019 Rates Increase for Arranging, Music Preparation and Orchestration The Musicians’ Union Executive Committee have endorsed a 3.3% increase for the General Terms & Conditions for Arranging, Music Preparation and Orchestration rates. Published: 21 January 2019 Read more about 2019 Rates Increase for Arranging, Music Preparation and Orchestration
MU Expresses Concern as Newham Council Seeks to Cancel Music Education Scheme Concerns have been raised by the Musicians’ Union (MU) over a consultation launched by the London Borough of Newham Council, which seeks to scrap its ‘Every Child a Musician’ programme. Published: 17 January 2019 Read more about MU Expresses Concern as Newham Council Seeks to Cancel Music Education Scheme
Musicians' Union Welcomes Result of Vote on Withdrawal Agreement Theresa May’s proposed Withdrawal Agreement has tonight been soundly defeated in the House of Commons. Published: 15 January 2019 Read more about Musicians' Union Welcomes Result of Vote on Withdrawal Agreement
Join the MU on the Save Gwdihw March Musicians’ Union (MU) members are encouraged to join a march on Saturday, 19 January, to protect Cardiff grassroots music venue Gwdihw. Published: 14 January 2019 Read more about Join the MU on the Save Gwdihw March
MU Welcomes Minister’s Call for Increased Investment in Music Education The Musicians’ Union (MU) has welcomed the statement by Nick Gibb, Minister of State at the Department for Education, published today in The Times. Published: 11 January 2019 Read more about MU Welcomes Minister’s Call for Increased Investment in Music Education
Free Folk Workshop for 12-18 Year Olds in Somerset An exciting opportunity has opened up for talented young musicians to learn from National Youth Folk Ensemble leaders and inspirational folk performers Sam Sweeney and Rob Harbron, at this free workshop. Published: 09 January 2019 Read more about Free Folk Workshop for 12-18 Year Olds in Somerset
UK Music Publishes Myth-Buster on Article 13 Copyright Changes UK Music has published an extensive myth-buster, answering common questions about Article 13 – a part of the proposed new Copyright Directive which is being considered by the European institutions. Published: 21 December 2018 Read more about UK Music Publishes Myth-Buster on Article 13 Copyright Changes
Inquiry Launched into Social Mobility in the Creative Sector The Performers’ Alliance APPG inquiry, ‘Breaking the Class Ceiling in the Arts’ looks at social mobility in the creative sector. Published: 18 December 2018 Read more about Inquiry Launched into Social Mobility in the Creative Sector
A Christmas Round-Up From Musicians’ Union General Secretary Horace Trubridge A blog from the Musicians’ Union (MU) General Secretary Horace Trubridge, reflecting on the past year’s events and looking forwards to the next one. Published: 14 December 2018 Read more about A Christmas Round-Up From Musicians’ Union General Secretary Horace Trubridge
Attitude is Everything Launches Next Stage Artist Survey Attitude is Everything is asking musicians who identify as deaf or disabled persons – or don’t identify but have a health condition or impairment that impacts their daily life – to share their experiences. Published: 14 December 2018 Read more about Attitude is Everything Launches Next Stage Artist Survey