Young Musicians

What challenges do you face as a young person building a sustainable music career? Explore our advice, resources and campaigning for musicians aged 30 and under.

Cost of living advice and resources

MU Rates

Union rates of pay for gigs, residencies, orchestras, session players, and teaching work.

Protecting your mental health

Mental health and wellbeing resources for musicians, and specialist sources of support.

Stay protected with insurance

Check what cover and discounts you're entitled to through your MU membership.

Get royalties from your recordings

The MU collects close to £2 million a year for musicians for the secondary and further use of recordings. Check if you are owed royalties.

Recover your unpaid fees

We help our members to get what they deserve. Make sure you're paid throughout the cost of living crisis.

Trade union support wherever you work as a musician

Explore all the benefits and services included in your MU membership.

DIY Musicians

Mentoring in Music

Create your own opportunities to get mentoring or be a mentor with this DIY mentoring guide. It covers finding a mentor, setting goals, the mentoring process, and more.

Learn more

Allyship

Being Anti-Racist and How to be an Ally

Explore what it means to be anti-racist and how to be a good ally with musician and broadcaster Linton Stephens and Blue Moon founder Dr Joanna Abeyie.

Dos and Don’ts of Working with Trans Colleagues

Musician, writer and activist CN Lester discusses how you can better support trans colleagues in the arts.

What is an Access Rider and what do you do with it?

Open the conversation about accessibility for musicians with the Access Rider.

Inclusion and Diversity in Your Teaching Work

Make sure that you integrate equality, diversity and inclusion in your music teaching.

Free Refugee Membership

Musicians seeking sanctuary can get one year of free and full MU membership to help build their music careers in the UK.

Campaign news

School students in a music lesson learning on keyboards.

Government Announces New Centre for Arts and Music Education

The MU welcomes the news, which we hope will be central to the Labour Government’s delivery on its pledges to boost music and arts education in England.

Published: 19 March 2025

Double bass leaning against a wooden chair.

Double Basses on French Trains – An Update

Although the absolute ban on musicians travelling with a double bass on TGV trains in France has been reversed, there are some restrictions members need to be aware of.

Published: 04 March 2025

The outside of the Senedd building in Wales.

Update on Welsh Government Budget for 2025/26 and Lobbying in Wales

The MU welcomes the announcement of an additional £4.4m for arts, culture and publishing in Wales as part of the Welsh Government Final Budget for 2025/26.

Published: 26 February 2025

Out of focus interior of a school music classroom, with students practicing musical instruments and an acoustic guitar in the foreground.

Let’s Demand More for Music Hubs

With a new report suggesting that music hubs are facing a £161.4 million black hole, MU National Organiser Chris Walters looks at how we got here and invites members to take action.

Published: 20 February 2025

London cityscape with Houses of Parliament and Big Ben tower at sunset.

MU Lobbying Update: How We’re Representing Members in Parliament

The MU’s Head of Communications and Government Relations, Isabelle Gutierrez, reports on a busy month of highlighting musicians’ issues in parliament, with updates relating to streaming, music education, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Published: 20 February 2025

#KeepMusicLive

Can a UBI keep music live?

The idea of a universal basic income has been around for centuries. Now, the MU and many others believe its time has come.

Join the conversation See all Campaigns

The MU gave me a huge amount of support at a crucial point in my career.
Scott Bowley13XL

Being a part of the MU really made me realise that we could fight for change, and that with collective effort we could actually make things happen.
Diljeet BhachuFlautist and MU ED&I Officer

I think it feels like belonging to a community, a genuine family of musicians.
Jess GillamSaxophonist

You have to be the change you want to see. It's our business. We need to shape it.
Amanda DalSession drummer

Fight for a fairer music industry

Have you been asked to work for no or low pay?

We regularly hear from musicians asked to work for free. Asking musicians to work for free is unacceptable at any time.

#FairScore

Take action against composer buyouts

Media composers should get a fair share of the value they create.

#FixStreaming

Fix Streaming and Keep Music Alive

Record labels, streaming platforms and other internet giants have exploited musicians and songwriters without rewarding them fairly for too long.

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