News & Stories for Musicians

Sustainable Orchestras: Securing the Future

Is there a long-term, sustainable model for financing an orchestra? Find out what the panel had to say at our first ever Orchestra Section Conference.

Published: 14 January 2016

FIM update: European regulation on air passengers’ rights

FIM is calling for musicians’ unions worldwide to put pressure on governments to support musicians flying with instruments, and will be asking musicians to get involved.

Published: 12 January 2016

The MU Pays Tribute to David Bowie

It is with great sadness that we learned about the death of David Bowie, a lifelong MU member and music legend.

Published: 11 January 2016

Disabled Artists Survey: what did we learn?

How easy is it for disabled musicians to do their job? The Musicians’ Union and Attitude is Everything investigate.

Published: 16 December 2015

#YWM15: How to Pitch for Work

Tips on how to pitch for work effectively, taken from our Young Workers’ Month ‘Get the best deal’ workshop.

Published: 26 November 2015

Insight Presentations: Artist Branding

Artist branding tips from Mr. Scruff manager Gary McClarnan.

Published: 24 November 2015

#YWM15: Starting out as a Freelance

Tips on how to get work and build relationships with the people you want to work with.

Published: 23 November 2015

Insight Presentations: Playlisting Strategies

Sammy Andrews considers playlists and playlisting strategies to get your music out there.

Published: 19 November 2015

Recommended Rates & How We Set Them

This Young Workers' Month (#YWM15), one of the issues we are talking about is pay.

Published: 10 November 2015

Tributes to Len Worsley

Tributes to Len Worsley, 29 June 1925 – 15 October 2015.

Published: 31 October 2015

Hague Court of Appeal: CBA applicable to freelance musicians

The Hague Court of Appeal this week struck down a ruling that would have put collective bargaining agreements covering freelance orchestral musicians across Europe under threat.

Published: 17 September 2015

Frances O’Grady at #MUconference: "Together we will win"

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady spoke to members at the MU Delegate Conference about the power of being in a union and the challenges facing us all.

Published: 30 July 2015

Never has collective strength been more important #MUconference

Jo Dipple, CEO of UK Music, spoke to members at the MU’s 36th Delegate Conference about our private copying exception win and the value of collective action.

Published: 27 July 2015

John Smith announced as new Chairman of PPL

John Smith, General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union (MU) and President of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), will succeed Fran Nevrkla OBE as Chairman of PPL (which is a part-time position) on 1 January 2016.

Published: 22 July 2015

MU endorses Burnham and Flint

The Musicians' Union (MU) has today decided to endorse Andy Burnham for Labour Party leader and Caroline Flint for deputy.

Published: 20 July 2015

Private Copying Exception FAQ

Why the MU challenged the private copying exception and what next?

Published: 20 July 2015

Graphic Equaliser with red and green lights

Private Copying Regulations Quashed by High Court

MU delighted at today’s High Court decision to quash the Government’s private copying exception.

Published: 17 July 2015

MU joins debate on streaming services and remuneration for artists

The MU has joined the debate about streaming services and remuneration for artists that was recently highlighted by the row between Taylor Swift and Apple Music.

Published: 16 July 2015

Frances O'Grady speaking into microphone

MU condemns ‘unnecessary’ Trade Union Bill

The Government has now published its Trade Union Bill, which includes plans to criminalise picketing, permit employers to hire strike-breaking agency staff and a requirement that at least 40% of those asked to vote support the strike in most key public services.

Published: 16 July 2015

Harry Pitch

We are saddened to report the passing of Harry Pitch, harmonica and trumpet player, on Wednesday 15 July 2015.

Published: 15 July 2015

UK music industry wins High Court copyright case against Government

The High Court today ruled against the UK Government in a Judicial Review case brought by the Musicians’ Union (MU), the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) and UK Music.

Published: 19 June 2015

The Future of Grassroots Music Venues

We talked to leading figures about ‘The Future of Grassroots Music Venues’ at The Great Escape 2015.

Published: 12 June 2015

What is FEU Training?

And why do we need it? FEU Training’s Frances swung by MU HQ to talk to young members from across the entertainment sector about how this invaluable training programme could help.

Published: 09 June 2015

Major rights group launches online campaign for artists

In May, four organisations representing more than 500,000 performers in Europe joined forces to campaign for the fair remuneration of online revenues.

Published: 21 May 2015

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House accepts pay deal

Members of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House have voted in favour of a two-year pay deal: 2% for 2014/15 and 2% for 2015/16.

Published: 21 May 2015

TUC Black Workers Conference

The TUC Black Workers Conference was held at Congress House, London on 17-19 April 2015.

Published: 21 May 2015

Support the campaign to save The Arches, Glasgow

Glasgow City Council Licensing Board has ruled that the famous venue can now no longer operate after midnight, the impact of which could lead to the venue shutting down.

Published: 21 May 2015

Review of Entertainment Licensing in Northern Ireland

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced a review of the current entertainment licensing regime in Northern Ireland which has been in place for almost 30 years.

Published: 21 May 2015

Private Copying Judicial Review Heard At High Court

The judicial review of Government’s decision on introduction of a private copying exception without fair compensation to songwriters, composers and musicians, which is in contravention of EU law.

Published: 07 May 2015

Music online: Rights groups launch remuneration campaign

Today, four international organisations representing more than 500,000 performers in Europe joined forces to launch a campaign for the fair treatment of all performers in the digital environment.

Published: 06 May 2015

Vince Sipprell stood behind microphone performing on stage

Tribute to Vince Sipprell

On January 30th, Vince Sipprell passed away at the age of 35.

Published: 22 April 2015

Tribute to the Memory of Danny Longstaff, Musician, Promoter, Activist and MU Official

A dedicated site in memory of Danny has been opened and all who knew him are very welcome to contribute messages, stories and pictures.

Published: 14 April 2015

Mayor of London unveils plan to boost busking and street performance across London

Following last year's #BackBusking campaign the Mayor's Busk in London scheme is now up and running.

Published: 24 March 2015

MU disappointed at BBC Trust findings

The Musicians’ Union has expressed disappointment at the BBC Trust’s conclusions from its service licence review of BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, 6 Music and Asian Network. In particular the MU is concerned about the proposal to drastically reduce the coverage of live music on Ra

Published: 20 March 2015

Southbank WOW Festival Orchestra, London

MU members have expressed concern that no payment is offered for the Southbank WOW Festival Orchestra project. The Southbank Centre’s Music Director, Gillian Moore, has written to us clarifying the offer and remuneration for professional musicians.

Published: 06 March 2015

LGBT History Month: Angela Morley

The MU is for all musicians. This LGBT History Month, we want to share stories of inspirational musicians. Here, we look at the life of award-winning composer and arranger Angela Morley.

Published: 24 February 2015

Tribute to Gary Hyde, Drummer, Activist and MU Official

Gary was born in his beloved town of Margate 73 years ago. He was the eldest of 4 children and all of them are artistic in some way and also very passionate and dedicated to fighting whatever causes come their way.

Published: 23 February 2015

Entertainment Unions issue joint statement following ENO meeting

The general secretaries of BECTU, Equity and the Musicians' Union - respectively Gerry Morrissey, Christine Payne and John Smith - have issued a joint statement following a meeting with senior management at English National Opera (ENO).

Published: 23 February 2015

Entertainment Unions back members working at ENO

The General Secretaries of the Musicians' Union (MU), Equity and BECTU have sought an urgent meeting with senior management at the English National Opera.

Published: 13 February 2015

Delight at Rome Opera outcome: musicians reinstated

Last night Loris Grossi, trombonist at Rome Opera Theatre (ROT) and FIM member, announced that the 182 members of ROT who were sacked on the 2nd October 2014, have been reinstated.

Published: 27 November 2014

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Sustainable Orchestras: Securing the Future

FIM update: European regulation on air passengers’ rights

The MU Pays Tribute to David Bowie

Disabled Artists Survey: what did we learn?

#YWM15: How to Pitch for Work

Insight Presentations: Artist Branding

#YWM15: Starting out as a Freelance

Insight Presentations: Playlisting Strategies

Recommended Rates & How We Set Them

Tributes to Len Worsley

Hague Court of Appeal: CBA applicable to freelance musicians

Frances O’Grady at #MUconference: "Together we will win"

Never has collective strength been more important #MUconference

John Smith announced as new Chairman of PPL

MU endorses Burnham and Flint

Private Copying Exception FAQ

Private Copying Regulations Quashed by High Court

MU joins debate on streaming services and remuneration for artists

MU condemns ‘unnecessary’ Trade Union Bill

Harry Pitch

UK music industry wins High Court copyright case against Government

The Future of Grassroots Music Venues

What is FEU Training?

Major rights group launches online campaign for artists

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House accepts pay deal

TUC Black Workers Conference

Support the campaign to save The Arches, Glasgow

Review of Entertainment Licensing in Northern Ireland

Private Copying Judicial Review Heard At High Court

Music online: Rights groups launch remuneration campaign

Tribute to Vince Sipprell

Tribute to the Memory of Danny Longstaff, Musician, Promoter, Activist and MU Official

Mayor of London unveils plan to boost busking and street performance across London

MU disappointed at BBC Trust findings

Southbank WOW Festival Orchestra, London

LGBT History Month: Angela Morley

Tribute to Gary Hyde, Drummer, Activist and MU Official

Entertainment Unions issue joint statement following ENO meeting

Entertainment Unions back members working at ENO

Delight at Rome Opera outcome: musicians reinstated