Orchestral Collective Agreements

Our collective agreements with orchestras cover the salaries, rates of pay, and terms and conditions for those who play in orchestras, whether you are an employed or freelance player. Where a collective agreement does not exist, the MU Orchestral Rates apply.

Last updated: 29 August 2025

Agreements by organisation

Last updated:
03 October 2025

City of London Sinfonia

agreement

Association of British Orchestras

agreement

Last updated:
31 July 2025

BBC Performing Groups

agreement

Birmingham Contemporary Music Group

agreement

Last updated:
13 June 2025

Birmingham Royal Ballet

agreement

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

agreement

Last updated:
08 December 2025

Buxton International Festival Orchestra

agreement

Last updated:
16 January 2026

Capella Edina

agreement

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

agreement

Last updated:
06 October 2025

English National Ballet

agreement

English National Opera

agreement

English String / Symphony Orchestra

agreement

Last updated:
08 August 2025

English Touring Opera

agreement

Glasgow Barons

agreement

Hallé

agreement

Making Music

agreement

Manchester Camerata

agreement

Northern Ballet Sinfonia

agreement

Last updated:
09 December 2025

Northern Chamber Orchestra

agreement

Last updated:
08 July 2025

Opera North

agreement

Orchestra Da Camera

agreement

Orchestra of the Swan

agreement

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

agreement

Last updated:
08 December 2025

Royal Northern Sinfonia

agreement

Royal Ballet and Opera

agreement

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

agreement

Last updated:
03 March 2025

Scottish Ballet

agreement

Scottish Opera

agreement

Serse Trust

agreement

Sinfonia Cymru

agreement

Sinfonia Viva

agreement

Ulster Orchestra

agreement

Welsh National Opera

agreement

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Orchestral news

Interior of the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh, Scotland.

MU Responds to Scottish Budget 2026-27

While the Musicians' Union welcomes the Scottish Government's increase to Culture spend, we are concerned about the lack of funding for individual artists and those engaged by the National Performing Companies (NPCs).

Published: 15 January 2026

View from the second floor of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre with a period costume in the foreground.

MU Backs Petition to Stop Closure of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Music Department

The MU is supporting members who have raised concerns and is currently involved in consultation with the RSC.

Published: 12 December 2025

Lisa and Naomi on the MU's stand at Labour Party Conference in 2024, they are against a black and yellow backdrop that says 'We are the MU' and 'We are Union strong'.

MU General Secretary Meets Culture Secretary to Discuss Arts Funding and AI

Naomi Pohl discussed the challenges facing musicians, including the impact of AI, funding shortfalls, and industry standards.

Published: 06 November 2025

WNO members taking Action Short of Strike in Cardiff.

How Collective Action can Strengthen Connections with Colleagues - and Management

Welsh National Opera’s Llinos Owen shares her experiences campaigning to protect the orchestra – and how it’s strengthened her connection to both the company and the MU.

Published: 22 October 2025

Five orchestra members sat at a bus stop with ‘Keep Northern Ballet Live’ t-shirts and wearing Shakepeare masks as part of our demo in May last year.

TUC Shares Solidarity with Musicians at Northern Ballet

Trades Union Congress (TUC) Regional Secretary Dave Pike has shared a video message in support of musicians affected by ongoing issues at Northern Ballet.

Published: 15 August 2025

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Orchestral Collective Agreements

Agreements by organisation

City of London Sinfonia

Association of British Orchestras

BBC Performing Groups

Birmingham Contemporary Music Group

Birmingham Royal Ballet

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Buxton International Festival Orchestra

Capella Edina

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

English National Ballet

English National Opera

English String / Symphony Orchestra

English Touring Opera

Glasgow Barons

Hallé

Making Music

Manchester Camerata

Northern Ballet Sinfonia

Northern Chamber Orchestra

Opera North

Orchestra Da Camera

Orchestra of the Swan

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Royal Northern Sinfonia

Royal Ballet and Opera

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Scottish Ballet

Scottish Opera

Serse Trust

Sinfonia Cymru

Sinfonia Viva

Ulster Orchestra

Welsh National Opera

Reverse the cuts, fund the arts

Orchestral news

MU Responds to Scottish Budget 2026-27

MU Backs Petition to Stop Closure of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Music Department

MU General Secretary Meets Culture Secretary to Discuss Arts Funding and AI

How Collective Action can Strengthen Connections with Colleagues - and Management

TUC Shares Solidarity with Musicians at Northern Ballet