News & Stories for Musicians

The Welsh flag against a light blue sky.

Take the Creative Wales Industry Survey 2024

Businesses, employers, employees and freelancers in the creative sector in Wales are invited to take part in a short survey to help Creative Wales strengthen their support of the creative industries.

Published: 21 November 2024

Two people holding placards saying 'Fund The Arts' and 'Protect Welsh National Opera'.

Michael Sheen Backs Campaign to Protect Welsh National Opera

Michael Sheen shared his solidarity with musicians in the Welsh National Opera orchestra and urged people to email their MP in support of the campaign to protect WNO.

Published: 08 November 2024

WNO orchestra players holding up placards that say 'Protect WNO'.

Protect Welsh National Opera: Email Your Political Representatives for Support

Email your political representatives to support musicians campaigning to protect Welsh National Opera jobs and secure the company’s future, including touring in England and Wales.

Published: 30 October 2024

Naomi Pohl at Labour Party Conference 2024 holding a placard that says 'Labour's New Deal for Working People'.

MU Celebrates Employment Rights Bill – A Major Win for Trade Unions

We welcome the Labour Government's new Employment Rights Bill, introducing measures that strengthen the collective voice of workers across the UK.

Published: 10 October 2024

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl standing with Lisa Nandy Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport at Labour Party Conference 2024.

MU Policies on AI and Misogyny in Music Adopted at Labour Party Conference 2024

The MU shaped policy on artificial intelligence and workers’ rights, and landed a historic recognition of the value of music education at Labour Party Conference this year.

Published: 26 September 2024

Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking at Labour Party Conference 2024.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Backs Access to Music Education for Every Child

The Prime Minister shared how music has improved his life, and why he supports access to music education for every child.

Published: 25 September 2024

Naomi Pohl speaking at Labour Party Conference 2024.

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl Speaks at Labour Unions Rally Alongside Prime Minister

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke at the Labour Unions rally alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

Published: 25 September 2024

A photo of orchestra musicians wearing campaign t-shirts and holding placards, with one speaking into a megaphone.

Welsh National Opera Orchestra Take Industrial Action Over Proposed Pay Cuts

Musicians in the Welsh National Opera orchestra took Action Short of Strike on Saturday 21 September.

Published: 24 September 2024

Members of the WNO orchestra stood outside the Wales Millennium Centre at a leafleting demo event in June. One person is holding a megaphone.

MU Urges Arts Council of Wales to Use Additional £1.5m Funding to Protect Welsh National Opera

We welcome the acknowledgement of the crisis facing Welsh arts organisations, and urge Arts Council of Wales to use the additional funding to protect full-time performing jobs at Welsh National Opera.

Published: 13 September 2024

Welsh National Opera Orchestra Set Date for Industrial Action Over Pay Cuts

Musicians in the Welsh National Opera (WNO) orchestra will be taking industrial action on Saturday 21 September, supported by the MU. 

Published: 05 September 2024

Confirmed Schedule Announced for WSWE Members’ Day 2024

MU members across Wales and South West England are invited to the free Members’ Day on 21 September, which will include workshops, networking and more.

Published: 29 August 2024

Dave with his band Ar Log and their instruments.

Benefit in Memory of Musician Dave Burns Raises Funds for Musicians’ Charity

A benefit evening in memory of Welsh folk musician David Burns was recently held in Cardiff. David was an MU member who represented the Union on the TUC, and funds were raised for the charity Help Musicians UK.

Published: 27 August 2024

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Stand for the MU's Executive Committee

We are now looking for members who wish to stand for our Executive Committee (EC) starting in 2025. Find out what being on the EC involves and if you're eligible to stand.

Published: 27 August 2024

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Nominations Open for MU Executive Committee and Regional Committees

Nominations are now open for members who wish to get involved in our Executive Committee and Regional Committees starting in 2025.

Published: 20 August 2024

Large wooden sign saying ‘home of Eisteddfod 2024’ on a field in Pontypridd.

MU Attends Eisteddfod 2024 For the First Time

The National Eisteddfod, which celebrates Welsh culture and language, takes place this week in Pontypridd and the MU will be present for the first time as we work to develop the Union's Welsh language provision. Members are also invited to meet their regional officials there on 9 August.

Published: 08 August 2024

MU Joins Call for Urgent Action to Address the Decimation of Welsh Arts and Culture

Creative unions, including the MU, have written to the new First Minister of Wales expressing deep concern regarding the current and future state of the arts in Wales, calling for more cultural funding across the Country.

Published: 08 August 2024

Musicians' Union staff and members holding Pride flags at a Pride march.

MU Reaches Membership Milestone

The Musicians' Union has reached 35,000 members this year, marking a milestone in its continued growth.

Published: 01 August 2024

A MU Wales Official holding a sign and handing out flyers to a man and his young baby during a demo outside of The Wales Millennium Centre in June.

Union Members Vote Yes to Potential Strike Action at Welsh National Opera

Welsh National Opera’s orchestra have voted overwhelmingly in favour of potential strike action, in response to proposals that would reduce the employment of the orchestra from a full-time to 85% contract, along with a 15% pay cut.

Published: 17 July 2024

RWCMD Petition Hits 10,000 Signatures and is Discussed at Senedd Petitions Committee

More leading figures from music and the arts sign the Union’s open letter in support of Young RWCMD, as the Senedd Petitions Committee call for urgent action to protect the programme.

Published: 04 July 2024

Old, golden theatre binoculars resting on top of a musical score sheet.

What the Current Status of UK Opera Funding Means for Musicians and Audiences in 2024

Further to the release of Arts Council England’s Let's Create report, an analysis of opera and music theatre in England and Wales, journalist Andrew Stewart investigates the sector's current landscape and how this relates to the report, our members and the wider industry.

Published: 01 July 2024

A man explaining something to a woman as they sit in front of a computer screen.

CULT Cymru Announces Second Year of New Mentoring Programme for MU Members in Wales

MU members living and/or working in Wales can now apply for 6 months of free mentoring sessions with CULT Cymru.

Published: 28 June 2024

People holding 'protect WNO' posters outside of The Wales Millennium Centre.

MU Ballots Welsh National Opera Members for a Mandate for Industrial Action

The MU is balloting its members in the Welsh National Opera (WNO) orchestra for a mandate for industrial action.

Published: 25 June 2024

Musicians holding placards as part of a demo to protect the Welsh National Opera orchestra.

Protect WNO Campaign Backed by Senedd Members

Welsh National Opera orchestra members took their petition to the Senedd with support from Rhianon Passmore MS.

Published: 25 June 2024

Exterior of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Cardiff

Famous Names Sign Open Letter in Support of RWCMD's Junior Department

Famous names including Alistair McGowan and journalist Cathy Newman, as well as award-winning songwriters, playwrights and other prominent figures in the music industry, have signed an open letter in support of the Young RWCMD programme at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Published: 21 June 2024

Two young male musicians playing guitar and drums in a band.

Protect the Junior RWCMD department: Sign the Petition

Members at the Junior RWCMD department are campaigning to keep the college’s junior music and drama programmes open.

Published: 03 June 2024

Young woman playing acoustic guitar with friends in a field.

Members Affected by RWCMD Consultation Urged to Contact the MU

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama is proposing to cease its weekly creative sessions for young people from the end of this academic year. Members who will be affected by this are urged to contact their local regional office.

Published: 13 May 2024

Members of the WNO orchestra standing outside the Bristol Hippodrome with leaflets from a demo on 27 April 2024.

Protect Welsh National Opera: Sign the Petition Now

Musicians at Welsh National Opera orchestra are campaigning to keep the orchestra full time and secure the company’s future.

Published: 02 May 2024

Exterior of the Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff, where the Welsh National Opera is based.

MU Responds to Welsh National Opera Cuts

Musicians' Union members in the orchestra of Welsh National Opera (WNO) are facing a reduction in working weeks, equating to a 15% pay cut as a result of a funding shortfall for the company.

Published: 28 March 2024

Out of focus back of man standing in front of small meeting talking.

Members’ Voice: “You Can Help Shape the Profession of Music For Years to Come”

Professional musician and educator David Miller sits on the Wales and South West England Regional Committee. In this overview of his union activity, he explains what he’s been involved in and why he’s been a member for over 25 years.

Published: 19 February 2024

Diverse group of people smiling as they all look up to the camera.

Local Members’ Day Events Announced for MU Members in Wales and South West England

Here MU Regional Organiser Andy Warnock outlines what members can expect from this year’s Local Members’ Day events, and provides some key dates so that attendees can plan ahead.

Published: 12 January 2024

General Secretary Naomi Pohl stands in discussion outside of the Royal Opera House

2023 End of Year Round Up

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl reports back on the work that the Union has done through 2023, as well as setting out some of MU’s intentions for 2024, and more general food for thought about the music industry.

Published: 30 December 2023

MU Regional Organiser for Wales and South West England Andy Warnock working on a laptop at this year's Wales Members' Day event.

Welsh Government Draft Budget Cuts Music, Arts and Union Learning Funds

The MU will be writing to Welsh Government and UK Ministers as music and arts face a 10% cut, and local culture funding is cut by a third in Wales’ draft budget.

Published: 21 December 2023

Vintage record player with a vinyl resting on top, spinning in action

MU Royalties Team Announce Record Distribution to Members

Geoff Ellerby, National Organiser for Recording & Broadcasting has reported back that 2023 saw a record £1.57m being distributed to members, and thanks the R&B team for their unrelenting dedication to the task.

Published: 20 December 2023

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You Don’t Need to Navigate Your Career Alone: A Report on the Wales and South West England Members' Day and AGM

MU Regional Officer Ruth Ballantyne reflects on the first ever Wales and South West England Members' Day and AGM, looking back at the highlights, exploring both regional and national success, and how we can implement member feedback and ideas moving into 2024.

Published: 13 December 2023

Person using a computer to create content from home with music software.

MU Responds to Government Consultation on Beijing Treaty Regarding Audiovisual Performances

The Beijing Treaty will bring additional rights for audiovisual performances and is now set to become UK law, with the MU advising government that musicians would be best served by Equitable Remuneration.

Published: 23 November 2023

Brightly coloured purple and yellow megaphone facing outwards against a bright pink background.

MU Action on the Climate Emergency

The MU’s new Climate Emergency Action Group have now met twice, and are looking inwardly and outwardly at ways the Union, the wider music industry and the Government can address the climate emergency.

Published: 16 November 2023

Close up of a hand holding a Trans Pride flag during a walk or march.

MU Celebrates Trans Awareness Week 2023

This year Trans Awareness Week takes place 13 to 19 November. Here we share some of the latest news and resources to help us all foster a more inclusive and supportive space for Trans and gender non-conforming people.

Published: 13 November 2023

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MU Executive Committee Releases Statement on Israel and Palestine

The MU’s Executive Committee have agreed today on a donation to the Red Cross to support humanitarian efforts on the ground in Israel and Palestine, as well as releasing the following statement.

Published: 09 November 2023

Members to Receive Ballot Papers Imminently

Executive Committee (EC) and Regional Committee (RC) Ballots are currently underway, asking MU members to elect representatives from the membership to represent then at Regional and Executive level. Ballots have been posted out and should be arriving shortly.

Published: 20 October 2023

Busy pink desk with notebook, pens, mobile phone, coffee cup

Notice of Political Fund Review Ballot

The MU is required to ballot its members every 10 years on the continuation of its Political Fund. The deadline to complete the latest ballot is in January 2024.

Published: 18 October 2023

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