News & Stories for Musicians

Pop-Up Orchestra Draws Attention to Campaign for Free Music Tuition in Scottish Schools

The campaign for free music tuition in Scottish state schools continues to gain momentum, as campaigners stage a pop-up orchestra in Glasgow’s George Square.

Published: 13 June 2018

Five Musicians and a Music Fan Called Steve

Tens of thousands of musicians and music lovers have signed our petition calling on Government and Parliament to back free movement for musicians working in the EU. So many, in fact, that we can make a case for Brexit based solely on the experiences of five different Steves.

Published: 08 June 2018

Drake Music Releases Guide to Support Diversification of Music Industry

The ‘We All Make Music’ guide aims support the diversification of the music education workforce. After Drake Music's research revealed that disabled people are very under-represented in music

Published: 07 June 2018

MU Delighted by BBC Development in East London

The Musicians’ Union has expressed its delight at the exciting news that the BBC has announced plans for new music studios in Stratford.

Published: 06 June 2018

Changes to PRS's Tariff LP are approved by the Copyright Tribunal

The Copyright Tribunal has approved a revision to PRS’s Tariff LP following three years of discussions between PRS and representatives of the live sector.

Published: 05 June 2018

Members Urged to Sign Petition for Scottish Children’s Music Services

A petition to the Scottish Parliament is gathering signatures, calling for free lessons to be available to all Scottish state school students who wish to learn a musical instrument.

Published: 05 June 2018

Why Musicians Need Unions: Changing the World of Work for Good

As part of the Trade Union Congress' 150 year anniversary campaign, the TUC150 story collection, bassist Becky Baldwin discusses her involvement with the Musicians' Union.

Published: 01 June 2018

MU Supports UK Music’s Condemnation of Google Over Rip-Off Ticket Sales

UK Music's chief executive Michael Dugher has attacked Google for failing to act over rip-off ticket sales by Viagogo. The MU supports this move, and calls on Google to fight against parasitic secondary ticket sales.

Published: 31 May 2018

Why Free Movement Matters

Brexit puts musicians’ ability to work in the EU – and earn an income from live performance – at risk. Take a look at some of the reasons why.

Published: 30 May 2018

Musicians’ Union (MU) Calls for the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to Support the Let Me ON Stage Campaign

MU members are calling on Conference to make the performing arts more inclusive, both on and off stage, and to encourage other trade unions to follow suit by supporting the Let Me ON Stage campaign led by Drake Music Scotland.

Published: 25 May 2018

Musicians’ Union supports ‘Equality Writes’ campaign

The Writers Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) is calling for immediate action to address inequalities in the screen industries, a move supported by the Musicians' Union (MU) for its knock on effects.

Published: 23 May 2018

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl's #MUMoment

Musicians’ Union Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl shares her #MUmoment on BBC Radio Ulster’s Classical Connections with John Toal.

Published: 21 May 2018

Ask Your Political Representatives to Support Free Movement for Musicians Post-Brexit

Over 150 MPs, MSPs and Peers have committed to protecting musicians’ right to move freely and easily in the European Union (EU) after Brexit. But this is no time to get complacent.

Published: 21 May 2018

The Facts About LGBT+ Musician Rights and Brexit

The UK’s membership of the EU has strengthened protections for LGBT+ people in this country. Now Brexit is putting those hard-won rights at risk.

Published: 17 May 2018

Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl on The Musician Behind the Moment

Musicians’ Union Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl talks about The Musician Behind the Moment, on BBC Radio Ulster’s Classical Connections with John Toal.

Published: 15 May 2018

TUC March and Rally on Saturday 12 May

On Saturday 12 May, thousands of people will march through London to demand a new deal for working people. The Musicians’ Union (MU) will be taking part, and would like to invite MU members to join them from 11:00 am.

Published: 10 May 2018

BBC News reports on low pay for orchestral players

Musicians' Union (MU) research shows almost half of the UK’s orchestral musicians do not earn enough to live on, despite the extraordinary role that orchestras play in people’s daily lives.

Published: 03 May 2018

Britain Risks “Cultural Void” as Funding Cuts Threaten the Future of Orchestras

New research by the Musicians’ Union (MU) has found that 44% of the UK’s orchestral musicians say they don’t earn enough to live on, putting the future of the nation’s orchestras at risk.

Published: 02 May 2018

The Musician Behind the Moment

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is launching The Musician Behind the Moment, our new campaign to show the true value of the UK’s orchestral musicians.

Published: 02 May 2018

MU Highlights Black Music Programming at TUC Black Workers’ Conference

The Musicians’ Union (MU) was delighted to attend the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Black Workers’ Conference

Published: 23 April 2018

Ivory Ban Will Grant Exemptions for Musical Instruments

Following lobbying from the music industry, including the Musicians' Union (MU), The UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (DEFRA) ivory ban will give some exemptions for musical instruments.

Published: 18 April 2018

Musicians’ Union Representative and Violinist Wins 2018 Salomon Prize

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra violinist, and Musicians’ Union representative David Rimbault received the prestigious Salomon Prize in recognition of his tireless commitment to the orchestra and its audiences.

Published: 17 April 2018

Parents Support Free Movement for Musicians

It's not just musicians who have been signing the MU petition calling on Government and Parliament to support free movement for musicians post-Brexit. Those around them are making themselves heard too.

Published: 12 April 2018

Brexit: 1 Year to Go

This Thursday is a year to the day since Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50, beginning the Brexit process.

Published: 26 March 2018

TUC Young Workers’ Conference Passes Motion on Sexual Harassment, Makes It Priority Campaign

MU member Amy Fitz Doyley moved the MU’s motion on sexual harassment, abuse, discrimination and exploitation with a powerful speech on the issue.

Published: 26 March 2018

MU and WGGB Launch The Musical Theatre Kit

Neil Crossley examines the difficulties often met in the creation of musicals, and how the Musical Theatre Kit serves to meet a real need.

Published: 26 March 2018

Thangam Debbonaire MP: It is vital Brexit does not constrain the reach of musicians

Thangam Debbonaire MP for Bristol West, discusses her successful call for Margot James MP – the Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport – to meet with Musicians’ Union representatives and discuss their concerns over Brexit.

Published: 23 March 2018

Minister for Digital & Creative Industries Agrees to Meet Musicians' Union to Discuss Free Movement

On Thursday 22 March, Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries Margot James MP agreed to meet the Musicians' Union (MU) to discuss musicians' right to travel freely and easily in the European Union post-Brexit.

Published: 23 March 2018

Conservative MP Agrees to Raise Question in Parliament in Support of Musicians Working In The EU post-Brexit

In response to a tweet from the Musicians' Union (MU) highlighting the MU's pledge and petition, Conservative MP Nadine Dorries agreed to raise the issue of musicians' ability to travel freely and easily post-Brexit in Parliament.

Published: 23 March 2018

Plans Unveiled to Boost Music in the Liverpool City Region

UK Music – of which the Musicians’ Union (MU) is a member – and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, today unveiled plans to introduce a Music Board for the Liverpool City Region.

Published: 07 March 2018

International Women's Day 2018: MU Members Share Their Top Festival Moments

Thursday 8 March is International Women’s Day. To celebrate, we asked Musicians’ Union (MU) members about their favourite festival moments.

Published: 07 March 2018

MU Highlights Sexual Harassment and Gender Equality at TUC Women’s Conference

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted to be attending TUC Women’s Conference once again. The MU is taking two motions to TUC Women’s Conference focusing on festival line-ups, and sexual harassment in the music industry.

Published: 07 March 2018

Women's History Month 2018: Time's Up

No-one should experience or fear sexual harassment, abuse, bullying or discrimination at work. Time's up. The Musicians' Union (MU) set up safespace@theMU.org for everyone in the music industry to share their experiences in confidence. We will listen.

Published: 02 March 2018

Help keep the Stratford ArtsHouse open

It was announced on Thursday that the Stratford ArtsHouse – home to the Orchestra of the Swan – is due to close on 5 May. Act now to help secure the future of this essential community space.

Published: 26 February 2018

UK Live Music Census Shows Small Venues Are Good For Everyone

The Musicians’ Union (MU) was delighted to host the launch of the UK’s first Live Music Census report. It digs deep into the economic, social and cultural value of small venues, and the challenges facing both venues and the musicians who work in them.

Published: 23 February 2018

Symphony orchestra violinists performing on stage against dark background.

LGBT History Month: "It’s a Shame That None of the Glorious Romantic Scores We Play are About a Gay Couple"

Glen Sheldon reflects on his life as an orchestral player #LGBTHM2018, as this LGBT History Month, we asked MU members to tell us about their experiences working in the music industry.

Published: 20 February 2018

Hearing, Health and Safety at Work

As we await the judgment in a landmark case on hearing damage and health and safety law, Musicians’ Union (MU) Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl comments on the cause and extent of hearing problems affecting musicians.

Published: 19 February 2018

UK’s First Live Music Census Reveals Ongoing Threats to Small Venues

Small venues continue to face threats that could affect their long-term future, warns UK’s first Live Music Census.

Published: 16 February 2018

MU Celebrates Campaign Victory as Agent of Change to be Made Law in Scotland

The MU is celebrating the incorporation of the Agent of Change principle into Scottish Planning Policy.

Published: 16 February 2018

Making the Most of Your Fanbase - AmericanaFestUK Highlights

What do you know about your fans, and how can you use that data to develop that crucial artist/fan relationship? Highlights from AmericanaFestUK, supported by the Musicians’ Union (MU).

Published: 14 February 2018

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Pop-Up Orchestra Draws Attention to Campaign for Free Music Tuition in Scottish Schools

Five Musicians and a Music Fan Called Steve

Drake Music Releases Guide to Support Diversification of Music Industry

MU Delighted by BBC Development in East London

Changes to PRS's Tariff LP are approved by the Copyright Tribunal

Members Urged to Sign Petition for Scottish Children’s Music Services

Why Musicians Need Unions: Changing the World of Work for Good

MU Supports UK Music’s Condemnation of Google Over Rip-Off Ticket Sales

Why Free Movement Matters

Musicians’ Union (MU) Calls for the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to Support the Let Me ON Stage Campaign

Musicians’ Union supports ‘Equality Writes’ campaign

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl's #MUMoment

Ask Your Political Representatives to Support Free Movement for Musicians Post-Brexit

The Facts About LGBT+ Musician Rights and Brexit

Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl on The Musician Behind the Moment

TUC March and Rally on Saturday 12 May

BBC News reports on low pay for orchestral players

Britain Risks “Cultural Void” as Funding Cuts Threaten the Future of Orchestras

The Musician Behind the Moment

MU Highlights Black Music Programming at TUC Black Workers’ Conference

Ivory Ban Will Grant Exemptions for Musical Instruments

Musicians’ Union Representative and Violinist Wins 2018 Salomon Prize

Parents Support Free Movement for Musicians

Brexit: 1 Year to Go

TUC Young Workers’ Conference Passes Motion on Sexual Harassment, Makes It Priority Campaign

MU and WGGB Launch The Musical Theatre Kit

Thangam Debbonaire MP: It is vital Brexit does not constrain the reach of musicians

Minister for Digital & Creative Industries Agrees to Meet Musicians' Union to Discuss Free Movement

Conservative MP Agrees to Raise Question in Parliament in Support of Musicians Working In The EU post-Brexit

Plans Unveiled to Boost Music in the Liverpool City Region

International Women's Day 2018: MU Members Share Their Top Festival Moments

MU Highlights Sexual Harassment and Gender Equality at TUC Women’s Conference

Women's History Month 2018: Time's Up

Help keep the Stratford ArtsHouse open

UK Live Music Census Shows Small Venues Are Good For Everyone

LGBT History Month: "It’s a Shame That None of the Glorious Romantic Scores We Play are About a Gay Couple"

Hearing, Health and Safety at Work

UK’s First Live Music Census Reveals Ongoing Threats to Small Venues

MU Celebrates Campaign Victory as Agent of Change to be Made Law in Scotland

Making the Most of Your Fanbase - AmericanaFestUK Highlights