The Musicians’ Union (MU) is celebrating its 120th anniversary with a conference today (23 July) in Manchester.
Frances O Grady, TUC general secretary, Jo Dipple UK Music CEO and shadow arts minister Dan Jarvis MP will be among the speakers at the two day event.
The organisation was originally set up when clarinettist Joe Williams sent an anonymous letter to fellow musicians in Manchester to discuss forming a union to protect their working rights.
Within six months the Amalgamated Musicians’ Union (AMU) had 1,000 members with branches in Liverpool, Newcastle, Dundee and Glasgow. It now counts more than 30,000 musicians in its membership.
John Smith, MU General Secretary, said: ‘The challenges that have faced musicians since Joe Williams’ inaugural meeting in Manchester have been many. The arrival of ‘talkies’ at the turn of the century, two World Wars, the use of gramophone recordings on radio, developing technology and online piracy all threatened the livelihoods of musicians.
‘Through every twist and turn, the MU has stood strong, fighting the fight for those who make a living from music. Long may that continue.’
Find out more about the MU and its work from the organsation’s website.
Frances O Grady, TUC general secretary, Jo Dipple UK Music CEO and shadow arts minister Dan Jarvis MP will be among the speakers at the two day event.
The organisation was originally set up when clarinettist Joe Williams sent an anonymous letter to fellow musicians in Manchester to discuss forming a union to protect their working rights.
Within six months the Amalgamated Musicians’ Union (AMU) had 1,000 members with branches in Liverpool, Newcastle, Dundee and Glasgow. It now counts more than 30,000 musicians in its membership.
John Smith, MU General Secretary, said: ‘The challenges that have faced musicians since Joe Williams’ inaugural meeting in Manchester have been many. The arrival of ‘talkies’ at the turn of the century, two World Wars, the use of gramophone recordings on radio, developing technology and online piracy all threatened the livelihoods of musicians.
‘Through every twist and turn, the MU has stood strong, fighting the fight for those who make a living from music. Long may that continue.’
Find out more about the MU and its work from the organsation’s website.
