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.

Orchestras under ABO agreement

Rates and terms and conditions agreed with the Association of British Orchestras.

MU Promulgated Rates

We set our own rates for musicians working at orchestral concerts, opera and ballet.

Orchestral Touring Abroad

Orchestral Players Living with Covid-19

Health and safety and risk assessment guidance for 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

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.

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.

Get involved

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

A Welsh National Opera orchestra member holding a campaign placard at a demo.

MU Members at Welsh National Opera Renew Mandate for Industrial Action

MU members at WNO have voted to renew their mandate for industrial action.

Published: 15 January 2025

Northern Ballet orchestra musicians performing as part of a demo.

Northern Ballet: Update on Negotiations

Northern Ballet have decided not to extend our agreement with them under existing terms, meaning any work offered by them is currently under non-union terms.

Published: 09 January 2025

Close up of the exterior of the Birmingham Royal Ballet building with signage.

MU Deeply Saddened to Learn that Caroline Miller of Birmingham Royal Ballet has Passed Away

Caroline Miller OBE, CEO of Birmingham Royal Ballet, passed away on Sunday 15 December. The MU is deeply saddened to hear of the news, and our thoughts go to Caroline’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

Published: 17 December 2024

WNO musicians holding up placards to support the Protect WNO campaign.

MU Welcomes £3.6m Boost for Welsh Arts Sector

Welsh National Opera is set to get the largest share of £3.6 million of new funding to support jobs and touring, following campaigning by Musicians' Union members in the orchestra.

Published: 05 December 2024

A Black male musician wearing a baseball cap singing into a microphone.

Have Your Say on the Value of Black British Music

Artists, creators and industry professionals working with Black British music are encouraged to take part in the survey to understand the value that the artform brings to the UK music industry.

Published: 04 December 2024

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

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.

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

Taking Care of your Music Instruments

Advice on how musicians can keep their music instruments in good shape, transport efficiently and set up equipment.

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

31 Jan 2025

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Free up your playing and singing using the Feldenkrais method, a sensory-motor learning system which looks at our mind and body holistically.

Online Member only

Last chance to book

Backstage view of a band performing in a large venue.

19 Feb 2025

Legal Webinar: Living it Live

In this one-hour webinar for MU members in Scotland, leading Scottish Law Firm Harper Macleod will discuss the key legal considerations for putting on live music.

Online, Zoom

Last chance to book

A young plant sprouting on cracked dry soil, symbolising resilience.

20 Feb 2025

Creative Resilience

This online, two-hour session is for anyone in the creative industries who is interested in developing their understanding of psychological and physical resilience and applying this to their day-to-day life.

Online

Cookies on Musicians' Union

Use your voice

Popular searches

Orchestral Work

Advice, agreements and rates

Collective Agreements with Orchestras

Orchestras under ABO agreement

MU Promulgated Rates

Orchestral Touring Abroad

Orchestral Players Living with Covid-19

Orchestral Working Outdoors

Fair and Inclusive Orchestral Auditions

Member representation

MU Orchestra Stewards

Join the Freelance Orchestral Committee

Join the Orchestra Section

Latest news and features

MU Members at Welsh National Opera Renew Mandate for Industrial Action

Northern Ballet: Update on Negotiations

MU Deeply Saddened to Learn that Caroline Miller of Birmingham Royal Ballet has Passed Away

MU Welcomes £3.6m Boost for Welsh Arts Sector

Have Your Say on the Value of Black British Music

Career in orchestra

How to Audition

MU and ABO Joint Statement on Culture Change in Classical Music

Mouth Health for Wind and Brass Players

Taking Care of your Music Instruments

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Last chance to book

Legal Webinar: Living it Live

Last chance to book

Creative Resilience