Musicians' Union

Northern Ballet has announced that it will be replacing musicians in its orchestra with recorded music for some touring productions The Musicians’ Union position is that all ballet and opera must have live music at the centre of productions We have not agreed with @NorthernBallet that use of recorded music in some of its productions is an acceptable situation Support our members campaigning to keep Northern Ballet music live! ✍️ Email your MP at the link in bio Arts Council England (@aceagrams ) must come to the table and agree a realistic funding solution that protects musicians' jobs and live ballet that's genuinely live #KeepNorthernBalletLive 📷 slide seven: Fleck Fletcher Image description: carousel of seven slides. Slide one: "Northern Ballet is replacing musicians with recorded music for some touring productions" Slide two: "The MU position is that all ballet and opera must have live music at the centre of productions" Slide three: "The MU has not agreed with Northern Ballet that use of recorded music in some of its productions is acceptable" Slide four: musicians and supporters in at a Keep Northern Ballet Live rally in Newcastle hold signs and wear white campaign t-shirts that say "Keep Northern Ballet music live" Slide five: quote from Musicians' Union Orchestras Official Morris Stemp that says “Axing the orchestra for recorded music is unacceptable. Audiences deserve the full Northern Ballet experience every time" Slide six: another quote from Morris says “Investment is needed right now from Arts Council England whilst a longer-term funding solution is put together to bring the artform to towns and cities in the form that is vital to the experience – with live music" Slide seven: photo of a musician under an umbrella during a rainy leafleting session in Leeds. He's holding a pink and black placard in front of his face that says "Keep Northern Ballet Live" #NorthernBallet #Leeds #KeepMusicLive #Orchestra #OrchestralMusic #Ballet #Classical #ClassicalMusic #TradeUnion #MusiciansUnion #WeAreTheMU #UnionStrong

✊ Strike update! Musicians’ Union members at English National Opera are taking action short of strike this week It's in response to proposals to make all members of orchestra and music staff redundant, and only re-employ them for six months a year Some musicians in the orchestra have only been offered ad-hoc freelance work You might be asking, “Weren’t you going on strike?” Yes - and the union has notified ENO management of further strike dates in two weeks' time Until then, full strike action on Thursday 1 February has been postponed to allow time for urgent talks on improved proposals from English National Opera management The Musicians' Union will continue taking action short of a strike while negotiations are ongoing ✊ Show your support! Share a message of solidarity in the comments #WeAreENO 📸: @jonny.shoots Image description: carousel of five photos from action short of strike on Tuesday 30 January 2024 Slide one: musicians and music staff from English National Opera are joined by Trades Union Congress General Secretary Paul Nowak, Musicians' Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl and union officials at a photocall at one end of St Martin's Lane, close to the opera's London home. They are holding up signs that say "We Are English National Opera," "Fund the arts" and "We are union strong." The top of the Coliseum and its iconic globe are visible in the background. Slide two: Paul and Naomi hold up a yellow, white and black placard that says "Fund the arts." They are surrounded by musicians and music staff with more placards. Everyone is wearing a yellow t-shirt that says "We Are E.N.O." Slide three: Naomi makes a speech to union members. They are in the square at the end of St Martin's Lane with the Edith Cavell Memorial and National Portrait Gallery in the background Slide four: close up of a placard that says "Fund the arts" #EnglishNationalOpera #ENOHandmaid #TheHandmaidsTale #SaveENO #LoveENO #Opera #Operatok #Orchestra #ClassicalMusic #ClassicalTok #MusiciansUnion #strike #solidarity #IndustrialAction #WeAreTheMU #UnionStrong

Find out about what neurodiversity means, how to support colleagues in the workplace and where to find further support in the union's new Working with Neurodivergent Musicians advice hub Link in bio #UKDHM #WeAreTheMU Image description: graphic with black and white text and graphic elements on a yellow background. Text says: "Working with Neurodivergent Musicians. Advice hub. Find out about what neurodiversity means, how to support colleagues in the workplace, and where to find further support and help" #Neurodivergent #Neurodiversity #MusicIndustry #MusicBusiness #TradeUnion #MusiciansUnion #WeAreTheMU #UnionStrong

Great to see so many members at @GlastoFest this year! Scroll through for more festival highlights 👉 • @HankWangford plays The Radical Round Up at @GlastoLeftField • Tareq Abu Kwaik playing @WestHoltsOfficial with @47soul   • @BernardButlerOfficial performing on the Acoustic Stage  • Crowds spill out of the Left Field tent during a performance of @TheFarmLive , including union member Peter Hooton • Billy Bragg and MU Head of Live, Theatre & Music Writers Kelly Wood backstage. Thank you @BillyBraggOfficial for the invite! Plus a special shoutout to Lily Fontaine (@EnglishTeacherBand ) - who gave evidence in Parliament at the grassroots music venues inquiry earlier this year #Glastonbury #WeAreTheMU

Looking to meet fellow musicians? Need guidance on how to move forward in your career? Explore our upcoming networking and advice sessions for members: • Get to know local members at our summer social in Belfast • Network with female musicians and musical directors in theatre at the next Ladies Of The Stave event in London • Join our in-person advice surgery at various locations in Scotland this summer Head to the link in bio for more details #WeAreTheMU Image description: a carousel of two slides with images and text on a teal background promoting upcoming events Slide one: A photo of two women drinking coffee and laughing. Text says: "Book now! M U Members' Summer Social, Belfast. 3 July. 5 p m. The National, Belfast." Slide two: A photo of red theatre chairs with someone sitting in them wearing a hat. Text says: "Book now! Ladies of the Stave: Networking for female musicians. 17 July. 4:45 p m. Vaudeville Theatre, London." Slide three: A photo of a man and woman talking and smiling. Text says: "Book now! Scotland MU members: one to one advice sessions. 26 July to 16 August. Scotland (various locations)." #Belfast #MusicIndustry #MusicBusiness #London #LadiesOfTheStave #WestEndMusician #TheatreMusician #TradeUnion #MusiciansUnion

Hello Glastonbury! With MU members performing across the festival, here are some of our @GlastoFest highlights so far 👉 • @BillyBraggOfficial and pedal steel guitar player @CJHillman87 performing for a packed out Left Field • @DJ_Paulette1 talking about her life and career, pushing back against restrictions that others try to impose, at the @free_university_of_glastonbury ✊ Did you know that DJ Paulette sits on two MU committees? Our Live Performance Committee and North of England Committee • Pete Marshall on drums and Stephen Large on keys, performing with Paul Heaton on the Pyramid Stage • @AndrewLansley performing with Thrill Collins 💪 Andrew created the Access Rider, a rider that details your access needs • @TheJohnSmith on the Acoustic Stage, with Nick Pini (@stringtuba ) on bass • Callum Moloney on drums with Big Special 🎪 Are you performing over the weekend? Head of the union’s Live, Theatre & Music Writers departmant Kelly Wood is based backstage at @GlastoLeftField if you have questions, need advice or would like to know more about your union Special thank you to @BillyBraggOfficial for having us! Check out more from @CJHillman87 , @DJ_Paulette1 and Andrew’s Access Rider at the link in bio #WeAreTheMU

Campaigning for the general election is in full swing! If an MP knocks on your door this weekend and you'd like to ask them about their commitment to music, here are some questions to get you started #WeAreTheMU #GE2024 #GeneralElection2024 Image description: a carousel of five slides with pink, yellow and white graphic elements. Slide one: "Questions to ask your local MP candidates before election day" Slide two: "Are you and your party committed to access to high quality music education for children and young people?" Slide three: "Will you support increased arts funding to protect jobs and the UK’s position as a world leader in music?" Slide four: "Are you committed to breaking down barriers for musicians touring in the EU, such as visas, work permits and carnets?" Slide five: "What will you do to improve workers’ rights and support self-employed musicians?"

Big names including Alistair McGowan and journalist @CathyNewmanC4 have signed an open letter to stop the closure of RWCMD's junior programmes We need to protect the future of music in Wales and ensure everyone has access to high level music education and opportunity Read the open letter and its signatories at the link in bio #WeAreTheMU #MusiciansUnion #MusicEducation Image description: a carousel of three slides with blue and yellow graphic elements. Slide one: "Famous names sign open letter in support of RWCMD's junior department." Slide two: "Over 300 students will be affected by RWCMD proposals to close its junior department next academic year" Slide three: A quote from M U General Secretary Naomi Pohl saying "If this closure goes ahead then RWCMD will be the only conservatoire in Britain without a junior department, with no other equivalent provision in Wales"

Thank you to our incredible members who represent us on a political level to fight for positive change across the industry! Over the past few months, our delegates have moved motions to: • Tackle transphobia and provide mental health services for LGBT+ people • Challenge racial profiling and stereotyping of Black people and culture • Reform the benefits system to better serve disabled musicians Want to make change in your local area or within your music sector? Find out how you can shape policy as an active MU member at the link in bio #WeAreTheMU #BehindEveryMusician #UnionStrong Image description: A carousel of three photos of different members representing the Musicians' Union at delegates at various conferences. Slide one: Dr Diljeet Bhachu, Eunice Obianagha, Vicky Ngamsha and Xidus Pain standing in front of the Congress Centre in London for TUC Black Workers’ Conference 2024. Slide two: Duncan McBride and Andrew Collins at STUC LGBT+ Workers’ Committee in May 2024. Slide three: Nigel Braithwaite and Fiona Branson at the TUC Disabled Workers Conference 2024.

The Protect WNO campaign goes to the Senedd! Thanks to @rhi4islwyn for meeting MU members and supporting our campaign Over 10,500 people have signed the petition so far Special thanks to Elizabeth Atherton for her support in making this Senedd moment happen Add your voice to the call at the link in bio #WNOProud #WNOBalch Image description: carousel of two photos from a demo on Thursday 20 June 2024, taken in front of a wall with a sign on it that says "Senedd Cymru, Welsh Parliament". Slide one: musicians from Welsh National Opera orchestra are joined by MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl and Chair of the Senedd Petitions Committee Rhianon Passmore MS. They are holding up placards that say "Protect WNO". Slide two: MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl and Chair of the Senedd Petitions Committee Rhianon Passmore MS are both holding a printed petition with a yellow ribbon tied around it. #WelshNationalOpera #Orchestra #ClassicalMusic %ProtectWNO #Orchestral #OrchestraMusic #MusiciansUnion #WeAreTheMU #UnionStrong

Got your Voter ID? All voters will need to show an accepted form of photo ID to vote in the General Election on Thursday 4 July Apply for free Voter ID if you need it by 5pm on Wednesday 26 June Learn more at the link in bio #GE2024 Image description: a series of slides with yellow and black elements on a white background. These include an x to indicate voting in a U K election and the union's logo. Slide one: "You will need photo I D to vote in the general election. What you need to know" with an arrow indicating to scroll through the carousel Slide two: "What I D is accepted? A full list of accepted photo ID is available on the Electoral Commission website" Slide three: "What if you don’t have I D?You can apply for a free document called a Voter Authority Certificate online or by post. You need to be registered to vote before you apply for a Voter Authority Certificate" Slide 4: ""How do you apply for Voter I D? Apply for free Voter ID at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate" Slide 5: "What is the deadline for Voter I D? The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for the upcoming General Election is 5 P M on Wednesday 26 June" Slide 6: "Learn more at electoralcommission.org.uk and theMU.org"

Take part in 9 simple acts on #WorldRefugeeDay to show solidarity with musicians escaping famine, conflict and persecution Interested in doing more? Take a look at our list of organisations and resources to help you better support refugees in your community If you know musicians seeking sanctuary in the UK, share our free one-year Refugee Membership Scheme in partnership with @CounterpointsArts to help them continue building their music career Link in bio #SimpleActs #WithRefugees #RefugeeWeek #CompassionIntoAction Image description: a carousel of five slides with colourful illustrated graphics and text. Slide 1: "Simple acts: share a meal, walk together, make a new connection, get active, join the movement, share the message, care for our home, watch a film, discover a story." There are nine colourful illustrated graphics depicting each action. Slide 2: "Join the movement." An illustration of five hands of different skin colours joining in solidarity. Slide 3: "Discover a story." An illustration of eyes reading a book. Slide 4: "Walk together." An illustration of two clouds with legs walking under the sun. Slide 5: "Share the message." An illustration of a loudspeaker surrounded by hearts.