MU Orchestral Concert Rates

Our recommended orchestral concert rates are updated each October. They cover orchestral playing where an orchestra is not part of the Association of British Orchestras, or where a direct Collective Agreement with the MU does not exist.

Our rates factor in all the other financial obligations of being self-employed. Freelancers do not necessarily receive the benefits of employment such as holiday pay, sick pay, pension contributions and parental leave. These are recommended minimums and should be used as a starting point for negotiating work which involves additional travel, increased preparation time or greater responsibility. Rates do not reflect regional cost-of-living differences or experience level, which should be negotiated on top.

How we set our rates

Our rates usually increase each year in line with inflation.  For this reason, our Freelance Orchestral Committee have recommended an increase of 3.5% to be applied from 1 October 2024, which has been accepted and endorsed by the MU’s Executive Committee.

MU members can sign up to the Orchestra Section to become eligible to stand for the Freelance Orchestral Committee and become part of this decision-making process.

While we advise members to refer to our rates and guidance, members are free to set their rates according to their own criteria.

For further advice on orchestral rates please contact the MU.

Rates of pay effective from 1 October 2024

Concert rates

Tutti	Sub-Principal	Principal	Section Principal
£209.50	£216.80	£227.70	£237.00

Single call (3 hours) on a day other than concert day

Tutti	Sub-Principal	Principal	Section Principal
£126.75	£130.40	£135.85	£140.50

Distance and travel

• Distance (where transport or travel fare is provided): 28p per mile
• Travel (where transport is not provided): 56p per mile

Overnight

• Basic: £141.00
• M25 supplement: £63.00

Late return

From midnight until 2:00 am: £36.00

For more information please see the full agreement.

Contact details

National Organiser Orchestras: Jo Laverty
Musicians’ Union, 30 Snowsfields, London, SE1 3SU
orchestral@themu.org

Access Rider  

An access rider is a set of requests that a performer supplies to a venue ahead of a gig, session or engagement and the requests are usually fulfilled by the venue. They are used by artists all the time so everyone knows what they need to provide the artist so that person can do their job. 

Visit our guidance page to find out how to use a rider and download our template.