MU News, Oct 2017

I prepared, edited and distributed the Union’s monthly MU News email this evening to over 23,000 musicians across the UK. This edition consisted of 17 news items and promoted 6 events, each with a link to the MU website for the full story, together with a dedicated tweet button for instant sharing.

News

Sign the petition to support musicians working across the EU post-Brexit

Over 16,000 people have signed our petition calling for free movement for musicians working in the European Union (EU). The petition, addressed to all the main parties in Westminster, calls on Government and Parliament to support this essential right for professional musicians post-Brexit. Name musicians from across all genres and styles of music have shown their support. So if you have not already done so, please sign the petition and share it across social media.

Welcome news for London’s AIR Studios: The MU was delighted to receive news that AIR Studios may be another step closer to winning its battle to prevent a neighbouring basement excavation.

Musical instrument exemption in ivory ban: The government has issued a 12 week consultation on a proposed total ban on the export/import and sale of ivory and the MU calls upon members to have their say.

MU Report highlights challenges for teachers: The MU has released its fourth annual report into the state of music education in England and examines in detail the sector for members.

Representing women in festival line-ups: Our blog post explores and comments upon the key theme of women being fairly represented on festival stages in 2018 and beyond.

MU dismayed at EUYO decision to leave UK: The European Union Youth Orchestra is the second orchestra to leave the UK since the Brexit referendum, due to concerns over restricted freedom of movement.

London Drum Show discounted ticket offer: This year’s event for all drummers and percussionists takes place at London’s Olympia on 11 and 12 November and MU members can obtain discounted advance tickets.

Victory for Womanby Street Campaigners: Unwelcome plans to build flats on Cardiff’s Womanby Street, that would have put local venues including Clwb ifor Back under threat, have been withdrawn.

MU launches All About Flute website: All About Flute is a new website for flautists, flute students and flute teachers and aims to to create a comprehensive online information centre for the flute world.

Celebrating Black History Month: London member Nadine Wild-Palmer shares her thoughts on Black History Month, #BHM2017, celebrating a richly diverse culture.

Contribute to our statement of core values: Conference called upon members to help the MU develop a statement that defines our core values and the rights we want to protect.

Support musicians and music at St Sepulchre’s: Join the MU in calling for Rev David Ingalls to reverse the recently imposed ban on musicians at the ‘National Musicians’ Church’.

Non-ABO Orchestral rates 2017-2018: The Non ABO (Casual Orchestral Concerts) Rates for 2017-2018 feature a 3% increase and came into effect from 1 October.

Cultural Strategy for Scotland underway: The Scottish Government are in the initial stages of launching a consultation into a Cultural Strategy for Scotland. This intends to promote the the principles of access, equity and excellence.

AIM Academy present ‘Sync Licensing 101’: The Association of Independent Music Academy event on 1 November will be focusing on sync licensing and attendees will have the chance to learn the essentials of how to land that key sync deal.

BML ‘Taster’ sessions on offer in November: BOOK Music & Lyrics are set to hold free ‘Taster’ sessions for budding composers and lyricists.

Jazz Rag available online for members: The Jazz Rag is a bi-monthly 36 page magazine and the latest issue is available free to members.

Events

‘Meet the MU’ social, Friday 20 October, Cardiff. The MU Wales & SW England team is delighted to host this informal drop-in session as part of this year’s SWN Festival.

Guitar set-up workshop, Saturday 21 October, Birmingham. Guitar set-up workshop and 20% discount on services at the Guitar & Amp Workshop.

Ableton ‘Basics for ladies in Electronica’ & Native Music mart, Saturday 4 November, Belfast. A great opportunity for female members who want to start composing electronic music or catch-up on Ableton software.

Social media workshop (in Welsh), Tuesday 7 November, Bangor. A workshop to improve your presence on social media run by Cult Cymru.

Meeting with MU General Secretary, Tuesday 21 November, Bristol. Come and join Horace Trubridge and Executive Committee Chair Dave Lee and share your thoughts on the future of the Union.