The MU launched a campaign today, The Musician – Behind the Moment, which aims to highlight the world-class skill of British orchestral musicians.
Category:News & events
Canterbury day
A wonderful day at Kent County Cricket’s Canterbury ground, as my son Ben was match mascot for the day as Kent faced the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy winners Pakistan in the opening fixture of their visit to these shores.
Bletchingley GC
Glorious sunshine greeted the spring gathering of the Four Seasons Society at Bletchingley Golf Club today as a dozen players battled to win the first trophy of the year.
Remembering Wendy
Following the passing away of my elder sister Wendy in Johannesburg last summer, the family agreed to celebrate her life amongst relatives and friends in London. Wendy always expressed her love for Highgate and Hampstead and it was thought ideal that we mark her memory in the area.
Beckenham cricket
My son Ben completed his series of winter nets at the Kent County ground this evening in Worsley Bridge Road, Beckenham.
Labour Live 2018
The second meeting involving the union representatives involved in planning the Labour Live event in June in Haringey took place this morning at Norman Shaw House in Westminster.
Howard Mills
I was contacted by Tom Kiehl of UK Music recently who advised that Sky News were planning an item on the possible difficulties musicians will face when travelling across Europe post-Brexit.
High Court judgement
There was considerable media interest in the High Court judgement announced today in the case of Chris Goldscheider versus the Royal Opera House, in which the musician was claiming damages and loss of earnings as a result of the hearing damage (‘aural shock’) he stated were caused during orchestra rehearsals in 2012.
Hard Rock Cafe
I dropped into the Hard Rock Cafe in London’s Mayfair this evening at the kind invitation of Ray Jones and Laura Westcott who were keen I learnt about their new live agency Talentbanq.
Bond in Motion
My long-term friend Mark Batchelor kindly let me know about this evening’s special event at the London Film Museum ‘Bond in Motion’ collection, where Edith Bowman was to conduct a landmark interview with the legendary duo of soundtrack composer David Arnold and inspirational lyricist Don Black.
The Musician (March)
The spring issue of The Musician is being dispatched to all Musicians’ Union members this week and this particular distribution will also include the latest edition of the award-winning MU Members’ Handbook 2018 – 2019.
Into tomorrow
A very useful meeting this afternoon with writer/producer Jim Hawkins at his Kingston studio discussing our plans for the year.
Musical Theatre Kit
The Musical Theatre Kit is a joint publication by the MU and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain and the unions collectively launched this valuable resource at the Cottesloe Room, National Theatre, on the Southbank this evening.
Canterbury GC
A very enjoyable day in the company of Kent County Cricket Club at their annual charity golf day at Canterbury Golf Club.
New role confirmed
My new job title of PR & Marketing Official and responsibilities were confirmed today by the Executive Committee of the Musicians’ Union at its monthly meeting in London.
Bass Guitar Show
I met up with Musicians’ Union activist Amy Doyley and photographer Jonathan Stewart this afternoon at the London Bass Guitar Show, where I had arranged with organisers Future plc for the Union to sponsor, for the first time, both the main stage and the masterclass room.
Manifest rocks!
I met Alex Myers, CEO of the London-based rising agency Manifest for the first time at Shoreditch House this afternoon.
New Bingley Hall
My long-term friendship and working relationship with show organiser Jason Hunt, means I am kept in touch with event-related news from the Midlands.
Education Expo
The team from exhibition experts ProMedia collected several storage boxes of MU merchandise from the Union’s offices in the Oval this morning, whilst on their way to installing our stand at this year’s Music & Drama Education Expo at Olympia.
Parental leave call
My MU colleague Maddy Radcliff and I were involved in this morning’s photo call outside the Houses of Parliament in support of legislation that could help prevent entertainment workers from being forced out of the industry when they have children.
Labour Live
I have been invited by the Labour Party to represent the MU in the organisation of Labour Live, an event being organised in June, which promises a festival of political ideas, with music, art, workshops and conversations.
Southbank shoot
A very pleasant Sunday morning in the company of vocalist/teacher Cherise Adams-Bennett, graphic designer Chris Stenner, photographer Joseph Branston and three jazz music students (aged 13, 14 and 17) from Tomorrow’s Warriors.
Day trip to Bath
After two hours’ sleep at the Premier Inn in Old Street, following the Americana Awards, I travelled early this morning by tube to Paddington Station to catch a GWR train to Bath.
