News & Stories for Musicians

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MU Welcomes Proposal For Independent Standards Authority

Creative UK and UK Time’s Up proposal for a formal Independent Standards Authority will seek to strengthen efforts to tackle bullying and harassment, and drive greater accountability across the UK’s creative industries.

Published: 05 May 2022

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MU Reacts to Reports of Abuse of Black Women By a Prominent DJ

Recent reports of Tim Westwood’s decades of abuse of Black women are yet another example of the power imbalances in the music industry that allow men to use their positions of power to abuse women over lengthy periods of time without consequence.

Published: 29 April 2022

Stephanie Collingwood looks into the camera directly, she has earphones around her neck and is wearing a white shirt.

Stephanie Collingwood: Navigating the Musical Landscape as a Solo Female Musician

As part of Lesbian Visibility Week (25-29 April), singer-songwriter and producer Stephanie Collingwood reflects on her life and career as a musician, explaining how a solo pathway through the industry is an often eye-opening, but rewarding journey.

Published: 22 April 2022

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How to Create and Sustain Work As a Music Teacher

The need for self-employed music teachers to boost their businesses and create income is more paramount than ever.

Published: 21 April 2022

Member only Read more about How to Create and Sustain Work As a Music Teacher

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Feldenkrais: Breathing and Anxiety

In this repost of her blog (The Moving Brain), professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter explains how your mood can affect how you breathe, and how you breathe can affect and influence your mood.

Published: 21 April 2022

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Shadow Women and Equalities Minister Backs Call for Shared Parental Leave Reform

Taiwo Owatemi MP responded positively to a question from MU delegate Sam Murray on shared parental leave at the 2022 TUC Young Workers Conference.

Published: 13 April 2022

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How Artists Can Make the Most Out of TikTok for Their Career

As TikTok becomes a vital promotional tool that can break a song internationally, we ask the musicians gaining traction on the app for their advice on going viral.

Published: 12 April 2022

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Free Events for Mental Health Month With Young Classical Artists Trust

The Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) are offering individual coaching, meditation classes and a workshop on managing your mind. This comes alongside a selection of events being produced over April by YCAT in partnership between the MU, Help Musicians, and BAPAM.

Published: 12 April 2022

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Beware the Buyout

Companies commissioning media composers are now more likely to ask for a buyout – but is that always the best option for music writers or musicians?

Published: 11 April 2022

How to Use Personal Injury Claim Service as Part of Your Membership Benefit

Examining how MU members and their families can make a free personal injury claim is John Morrison, partner at Morrish Solicitors LLP – a leading legal services provider.

Published: 10 April 2022

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MU Motion on Universal Basic Income Backed at Young Workers Conference

Young workers from across the trade union movement backed the MU’s motion on universal basic income at TUC Young Workers’ Conference 2022.

Published: 08 April 2022

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MU Welcomes Milestone Victory in Fix Streaming Campaign

The MU has expressed its welcome for Universal Music’s recent announcement that the label intends to follow the lead of its major rivals, Sony and Warner, in committing to deliver royalties to unrecouped heritage artists.

Published: 07 April 2022

MU Responds to Proposed Privatisation of Channel 4

The MU disagrees with the Government’s plans to privatise the Channel - which supports over 10,600 jobs in the media supply chain.

Published: 07 April 2022

Rewatch The MU and Women in CTRL's Impostor Syndrome and Confidence Workshop

On March 30 the MU hosted an Impostor Syndrome and Confidence Workshop delivered by Women in CTRL’s founder, Nadia Khan.

Published: 07 April 2022

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MU Supports Maternity Action’s call for Rise in State Maternity Pay

Maternity Action are renewing their call for the basic rate to rise, at the very least, to parity with a 35-hour week on the National Living Wage, following the release of Sunak’s Spring Budget.

Published: 07 April 2022

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MU Launches New Guidance on Copyright in Music Education

The copyright guidance, which is likely to be useful to both employed and self-employed musicians who teach, includes advice on making arrangements and protecting your own copyright.

Published: 07 April 2022

A Black woman sits and looks into a mirror while placing her hearing aid into her right ear. The woman is wearing black and her hair is pulled back by a scarf.

Attitude is Everything Launch Just Ask Campaign to Support Promoters to Welcome Disabled Artists

The MU welcomes the Just Ask campaign, and encourages conversations between promoters and disabled musicians to talk about their access needs and normalise the use of access riders.

Published: 07 April 2022

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BAPAM, Help Musicians, MU and YCAT Launch Mental Health Month for Early Career Musicians

The Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) are partnering with the MU, Help Musicians and British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) to raise awareness of mental health resources available to early career musicians.

Published: 04 April 2022

Woman with pink hair sat at keyboard with left hand in the air, looking at an open laptop, teaching online music.

Guidance for Clinically Vulnerable Musicians Who Teach

As Covid-19 restrictions and free mass testing end, many CEV musicians who teach are understandably concerned about the safety of the school environment.

Published: 01 April 2022

Woman with blonde hair in red shirt sat in very dark room. Her headphones are around her neck and she is illuminated by the open laptop screen.

One Year On: The Composers Against Buyouts Campaign

On the anniversary of the MU and Ivors Academy campaign launch #ComposersAgainstBuyouts, we celebrate its successes and what more still needs to be done to ensure a fair deal for composers.

Published: 31 March 2022

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National Open Youth Orchestra Virtually Premiere ‘What Fear We Then?’

On 28 January National Open Youth Orchestra virtually premiered a film of ‘What Fear We Then?’ by Alexander Campkin, co-commissioned with Bournemouth Symphony.

Published: 31 March 2022

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Trans Day of Visibility: The Joy of Learning to Love Ourselves

Thursday 31 March is Trans Day of Visibility. We commissioned trans, masc, non-binary DJ artist has S/HE to write this blog celebrating the resilience and inner strength of the trans community.

Published: 31 March 2022

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Ensuring Health and Safety of Orchestras with Lifted Government Restrictions

Now that social restrictions have ended, you still need to be sure your employer or engager is offering you a safe place to work.

Published: 29 March 2022

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Reforming Access to Work Motion Passed at TUC Disabled Workers Conference

The MU proposed Motion, moved by member Nigel Braithwaite, aims to improve the Access to Work scheme for more disabled job seekers.

Published: 24 March 2022

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Promote Your Teaching Practice with a Clear Brand Story

Ariane Paras, founder of Olympia Coaching, and Laura Ferreiro, founder of Story Harmony and former NME Editor, offer pointers for identifying and sharing brand stories that connect with potential clients, and overcoming blocks that may be holding you back from promoting yourself.

Published: 24 March 2022

Close up of a group of people in soft focus and dim lighting at a concert, their hands are in the air as if they are mid clap and the stage is lit with out of focus lights.

Concert For Ukraine

ITV and STV to stage Concert for Ukraine, with MU members heading up the music department.

Published: 23 March 2022

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl Adds Name to TUC’s Call for Employment Bill Following P&O Scandal

Following the pre-meditated firing of 800 workers by P&O Ferries, unions including the MU are calling on the Government for an employment bill to strengthen protections for workers, as well the immediate reinstatement of all sacked P&O staff with no loss of pay.

Published: 23 March 2022

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl stands in a crowd, chanting and cheering with placards that read

Naomi Pohl Formally Takes Up Role of MU General Secretary

Following her election to the role on Monday 7 March, today on Wednesday 23 March, Naomi Pohl formally takes up the role of MU General Secretary.

Published: 23 March 2022

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MU Marks International Women's Month by Supporting the All Things Equal Manifesto

Brighter Sound calls for gender equality in music with ground-breaking manifesto All Things Equal.

Published: 22 March 2022

MU at Labour’s National Women’s Conference

MU General Secretary Elect Naomi Pohl gave a historic video address at the conference, whilst MU Executive Committee member Sarah Williams gave a moving speech on supporting women through early pregnancy loss.

Published: 21 March 2022

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MU Reacts to Admission From Lord Frost

Frost has admitted his Brexit trade deal failed touring musicians.

Published: 17 March 2022

Great Russell Street in West London near the TUC Congress house, in the bright sunshine.

MU Member Motions Passed at TUC Women’s Conference

Two motions were raised and passed by MU members at the TUC Women’s Conference – about Black women in music, mothers and parents in the music industry, and online attacks on women journalists.

Published: 17 March 2022

Collect of paper tickets in a pile, coloured orange, dark pink, light blue and red. Each one days ticket in large text on the front with a number for the stub.

UK Music Write to The Chancellor Ahead of VAT Increase For Live Tickets

The final day of VAT relief for venues selling live tickets is 31 March, from 1 April this will increase again to 20%.

Published: 17 March 2022

MU Advice on Increase in Fuel Prices

From April 2022, the MU will update its mileage rates to reflect the fuel and cost of living crisis.

Published: 16 March 2022

Girl in red checked shirt wearing over ear headphones, one hand to one ear, also looking down at a studio mixing desk

Concern Over Moonbug Entertainment's Performing Rights Royalties

MU and The Ivors Academy condemn demands by Moonbug Entertainment that composers hand over performing rights royalties.

Published: 15 March 2022

Banner reading Make Peace Make Music in yellow and blue, the colours of the Ukraine flag.

MU Takes Further Action to Support Humanitarian Efforts in Ukraine

The EC has agreed on a £10,000 donation on behalf of members to support ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, and we have some suggestions for those wishing to email MPs about the refugee crisis.

Published: 14 March 2022

Three young musicians performing on a stage at BBC Introducing, synth, keyboard and microphones are present.

Defending the BBC

Musicians’ Union General Secretary Elect Naomi Pohl looks at the challenges facing the BBC, and why union members must come together to fight for our public broadcaster’s future once again.

Published: 14 March 2022

Help Musicians Launches New Bullying and Harassment Helpline for the UK Music Industry

A new helpline that supports those suffering bullying and harassment within the UK music industry has launched today, providing support, guidance and advice through specialist advisors.

Published: 10 March 2022

An adults two hands and arms are typing on a rose gold laptop, the screen content is not visible. They also have a cup of coffee and a phone on the table.

FIM and PEARLE Launch New Tool to Help Instruct Musicians With Instruments Containing Endangered Species

The MU’s European colleagues at FIM and PEARLE develop tool to assist musicians determine what they need to do if they have an instrument containing endangered species.

Published: 09 March 2022

Naomi Pohl Elected as First Female General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union on International Women’s Day

It has been confirmed today that Naomi Pohl has been elected as MU General Secretary.

Published: 08 March 2022

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MU Welcomes Proposal For Independent Standards Authority

MU Reacts to Reports of Abuse of Black Women By a Prominent DJ

Stephanie Collingwood: Navigating the Musical Landscape as a Solo Female Musician

How to Create and Sustain Work As a Music Teacher

Feldenkrais: Breathing and Anxiety

Shadow Women and Equalities Minister Backs Call for Shared Parental Leave Reform

How Artists Can Make the Most Out of TikTok for Their Career

Free Events for Mental Health Month With Young Classical Artists Trust

Beware the Buyout

How to Use Personal Injury Claim Service as Part of Your Membership Benefit

MU Motion on Universal Basic Income Backed at Young Workers Conference

MU Welcomes Milestone Victory in Fix Streaming Campaign

MU Responds to Proposed Privatisation of Channel 4

Rewatch The MU and Women in CTRL's Impostor Syndrome and Confidence Workshop

MU Supports Maternity Action’s call for Rise in State Maternity Pay

MU Launches New Guidance on Copyright in Music Education

Attitude is Everything Launch Just Ask Campaign to Support Promoters to Welcome Disabled Artists

BAPAM, Help Musicians, MU and YCAT Launch Mental Health Month for Early Career Musicians

Guidance for Clinically Vulnerable Musicians Who Teach

One Year On: The Composers Against Buyouts Campaign

National Open Youth Orchestra Virtually Premiere ‘What Fear We Then?’

Trans Day of Visibility: The Joy of Learning to Love Ourselves

Ensuring Health and Safety of Orchestras with Lifted Government Restrictions

Reforming Access to Work Motion Passed at TUC Disabled Workers Conference

Promote Your Teaching Practice with a Clear Brand Story

Concert For Ukraine

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl Adds Name to TUC’s Call for Employment Bill Following P&O Scandal

Naomi Pohl Formally Takes Up Role of MU General Secretary

MU Marks International Women's Month by Supporting the All Things Equal Manifesto

MU at Labour’s National Women’s Conference

MU Reacts to Admission From Lord Frost

MU Member Motions Passed at TUC Women’s Conference

UK Music Write to The Chancellor Ahead of VAT Increase For Live Tickets

MU Advice on Increase in Fuel Prices

Concern Over Moonbug Entertainment's Performing Rights Royalties

MU Takes Further Action to Support Humanitarian Efforts in Ukraine

Defending the BBC

Help Musicians Launches New Bullying and Harassment Helpline for the UK Music Industry

FIM and PEARLE Launch New Tool to Help Instruct Musicians With Instruments Containing Endangered Species

Naomi Pohl Elected as First Female General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union on International Women’s Day