Orchestral Work Whether you work as a full time or freelance orchestral musician, the MU is here to help. We have a dedicated team, as well as elected MU Orchestral Stewards and dedicated MU Orchestra Section Committees for employed and freelance orchestra members. Advice, agreements and rates Collective Agreements with Orchestras Our agreements cover the salaries, rates of pay, and terms and conditions for employed and freelance orchestral musicians. Read more about Collective Agreements with Orchestras Orchestras under ABO agreement Rates and terms and conditions agreed with the Association of British Orchestras. Read more about Orchestras under ABO agreement MU Promulgated Rates We set our own rates for musicians working at orchestral concerts, opera and ballet. Read more about MU Promulgated Rates Orchestral Touring Abroad Read more about Orchestral Touring Abroad Orchestral Players Living with Covid-19 Health and safety and risk assessment guidance for orchestral players living with Covid-19 Read more about Orchestral Players Living with Covid-19 ABO Orchestral Working Outdoors Practical aspects and health and safety considerations when working outside, or at a large venue concert Read more about Orchestral Working Outdoors Fair and Inclusive Orchestral Auditions Read more about Fair and Inclusive Orchestral Auditions Member representation MU Orchestra Stewards The work of the Orchestra Stewards and the Roving Stewards is vital in representing you to your employer and is a prime example of a union run by members for its members. Read more about MU Orchestra Stewards Be better represented Join the Freelance Orchestral Committee If you are a freelance orchestral player wanting to take a more hands-on approach to the way your pay and terms are negotiated, join the FOC. Read more about Join the Freelance Orchestral Committee Get involved Join the Orchestra Section Sign up to orchestral news and receive ballots to be able to have your say in decisions that affect your way of working. Read more about Join the Orchestra Section As an orchestral musician you know that for any problems or injuries, the MU is there to give you a helping hand or advice. Maxine Kwok-AdamsFirst violin with the LSO Latest news and features MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London Our new partnership with Clermont Hotels means MU members can book discounted hotel rooms at various locations in London, as an exclusive membership benefit. Published: 01 May 2025 Read more about MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London Empowering Orchestral Musicians: Webinar Recording Available This webinar, exclusive for MU members, uses recent campaigning at Welsh National Opera as a case study to explore how empowering orchestral musicians in the workplace can drive change — serving as a practical introduction to workplace activism in the sector. Published: 30 April 2025 Member only Read more about Empowering Orchestral Musicians: Webinar Recording Available Welsh National Opera Orchestra Musicians Vote to Accept New Agreement Musicians in the Welsh National Opera (WNO) orchestra vote to accept a new agreement, following a year of tough negotiations and months of high-profile campaigning to protect Wales’ largest arts organisation. Published: 22 April 2025 Read more about Welsh National Opera Orchestra Musicians Vote to Accept New Agreement Northern Ballet Management is Now Using Non-Union Contracts Northern Ballet management continues to use non-union contracts for some performances. Published: 11 April 2025 Read more about Northern Ballet Management is Now Using Non-Union Contracts WNO Orchestra Members Join Cast and Crew Onstage in Powerful Appeal for Better Funding In an unprecedented show of solidarity, members of the Welsh National Opera (WNO) orchestra took to the stage on opening night of Peter Grimes on Saturday 5 April, to address the audience about the need for better funding. Published: 10 April 2025 Read more about WNO Orchestra Members Join Cast and Crew Onstage in Powerful Appeal for Better Funding Read all orchestral news Career in orchestra How to Audition Be prepared for your audition and know what to expect for the best chance of success Read more about How to Audition MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music The MU and Association of British Orchestras (ABO) stand together against bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination, and are working jointly to ensure the UK's orchestra sector has a bright future. Read more about MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music Mouth Health for Wind and Brass Players Webinar recording with BAPAM which considers some of the wider factors that may affect the oral health of orchestral instrumental players Read more about Mouth Health for Wind and Brass Players Taking Care of your Music Instruments Advice on how musicians can keep their music instruments in good shape, transport efficiently and set up equipment. Read more about Taking Care of your Music Instruments Upcoming events Last chance to book 05 May 2025 Guided Meditation An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques that are tailored to help musicians both in their professional and personal lives. Online Member only Read more about Guided Meditation Last chance to book 07 May 2025 Practical Strategies to Tackle Bullying and Harrassment A two-hour webinar which covers what bullying and harassment looks like in the creative sector and its impact, the law, and how to identify common examples to ensure participants understand the full scope of these terms. Online Read more about Practical Strategies to Tackle Bullying and Harrassment Last chance to book 08 May 2025 Vocal Health Workshop, Belfast This one-hour, in-person session focuses on evidence-based practical skills, and draws from performance experience, research findings, psychology, and proven vocal health clinical pathways. Belfast Read more about Vocal Health Workshop, Belfast See all events
Collective Agreements with Orchestras Our agreements cover the salaries, rates of pay, and terms and conditions for employed and freelance orchestral musicians. Read more about Collective Agreements with Orchestras
Orchestras under ABO agreement Rates and terms and conditions agreed with the Association of British Orchestras. Read more about Orchestras under ABO agreement
MU Promulgated Rates We set our own rates for musicians working at orchestral concerts, opera and ballet. Read more about MU Promulgated Rates
Orchestral Players Living with Covid-19 Health and safety and risk assessment guidance for orchestral players living with Covid-19 Read more about Orchestral Players Living with Covid-19
ABO Orchestral Working Outdoors Practical aspects and health and safety considerations when working outside, or at a large venue concert Read more about Orchestral Working Outdoors
MU Orchestra Stewards The work of the Orchestra Stewards and the Roving Stewards is vital in representing you to your employer and is a prime example of a union run by members for its members. Read more about MU Orchestra Stewards
Be better represented Join the Freelance Orchestral Committee If you are a freelance orchestral player wanting to take a more hands-on approach to the way your pay and terms are negotiated, join the FOC. Read more about Join the Freelance Orchestral Committee
Get involved Join the Orchestra Section Sign up to orchestral news and receive ballots to be able to have your say in decisions that affect your way of working. Read more about Join the Orchestra Section
MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London Our new partnership with Clermont Hotels means MU members can book discounted hotel rooms at various locations in London, as an exclusive membership benefit. Published: 01 May 2025 Read more about MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London
Empowering Orchestral Musicians: Webinar Recording Available This webinar, exclusive for MU members, uses recent campaigning at Welsh National Opera as a case study to explore how empowering orchestral musicians in the workplace can drive change — serving as a practical introduction to workplace activism in the sector. Published: 30 April 2025 Member only Read more about Empowering Orchestral Musicians: Webinar Recording Available
Welsh National Opera Orchestra Musicians Vote to Accept New Agreement Musicians in the Welsh National Opera (WNO) orchestra vote to accept a new agreement, following a year of tough negotiations and months of high-profile campaigning to protect Wales’ largest arts organisation. Published: 22 April 2025 Read more about Welsh National Opera Orchestra Musicians Vote to Accept New Agreement
Northern Ballet Management is Now Using Non-Union Contracts Northern Ballet management continues to use non-union contracts for some performances. Published: 11 April 2025 Read more about Northern Ballet Management is Now Using Non-Union Contracts
WNO Orchestra Members Join Cast and Crew Onstage in Powerful Appeal for Better Funding In an unprecedented show of solidarity, members of the Welsh National Opera (WNO) orchestra took to the stage on opening night of Peter Grimes on Saturday 5 April, to address the audience about the need for better funding. Published: 10 April 2025 Read more about WNO Orchestra Members Join Cast and Crew Onstage in Powerful Appeal for Better Funding
How to Audition Be prepared for your audition and know what to expect for the best chance of success Read more about How to Audition
MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music The MU and Association of British Orchestras (ABO) stand together against bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination, and are working jointly to ensure the UK's orchestra sector has a bright future. Read more about MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music
Mouth Health for Wind and Brass Players Webinar recording with BAPAM which considers some of the wider factors that may affect the oral health of orchestral instrumental players Read more about Mouth Health for Wind and Brass Players
Taking Care of your Music Instruments Advice on how musicians can keep their music instruments in good shape, transport efficiently and set up equipment. Read more about Taking Care of your Music Instruments
05 May 2025 Guided Meditation An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques that are tailored to help musicians both in their professional and personal lives. Online Member only Read more about Guided Meditation
07 May 2025 Practical Strategies to Tackle Bullying and Harrassment A two-hour webinar which covers what bullying and harassment looks like in the creative sector and its impact, the law, and how to identify common examples to ensure participants understand the full scope of these terms. Online Read more about Practical Strategies to Tackle Bullying and Harrassment
08 May 2025 Vocal Health Workshop, Belfast This one-hour, in-person session focuses on evidence-based practical skills, and draws from performance experience, research findings, psychology, and proven vocal health clinical pathways. Belfast Read more about Vocal Health Workshop, Belfast