Hello ABRSM Board,

I am looking to join a musicians union as a teacher and performer. I am currently a student so I can pay student rates.

The only three I have found are;

ISM- Incorporated Society of Musicians
MU- Musicians Union
ATL- Associetion of Teachers and Lecturers

Are there anymore?


I am classically trained, and need liability cover for teaching etc but also good all round support.

Are you in a union and would you recommend the one you are in?

Thanks

Musicsong

I'm a member of MU, simply because it was the only one I'd heard of when I first started.

However, once I have my qualifications, I'll join EPTA (European Association of Piano Teachers) because it is clearly specific to the profession, but it also seems to have more of a community aspect and a lot of support. I've also read their publications and am going to the convention in Manchester as somene's guest which has allowed me to see what they are like. I really get the feeling that to be a member of EPTA benefits you, rather than just being an organisation you join to have the affiliation or for the insurance (which is what I do with the MU - there's absolutely no contact or community element, it is only useful for information sometimes and for the public liability insurance)

ISM also looks very attractive and more professional than MU, but I have got the impression that it is hard to join unless you personally know 2 other members.

Thanks for the reply, I thought ISM looked more suited that MU, but Im not ready to go with it yet.

Thanks for the tip about the EPTA- I'll look into this. Is there a similar one for singers?

I'll have to look further into the joining regs of ISM with regards to the 'knowing 2 members' point. It's no good if it is all secret handshakes (well no good unless I am in )

Thanks again

I am in the ISM and EPTA and both have been really superb. Initially I was in the MU because I didn't have sufficient qualifications or people to support an application for the other two, but I found that in general, the MU weren't really geared towards musicians working in education. I think that the ISM have changed their policy as regards to membership recently.

Do get in touch with EPTA and ISM administrators. They want to support musicians/pianists and will advise you student and other levels of membership. Just because you don't have qualifications doesn't mean they won't be interested in helping you. In fact you could say the reverse, they won't to help you in the right direction for you. And ISM will often suggest that you attend some of their functions to get to know people so they can recommend you on the application form.

An ISM Press Release says:

The musicians' professional body, the Incorporated Society of Musicians, is simpler to join after members overwhelmingly supported historic changes to the Society's rules.

For the first time, musicians can join the ISM on the basis of their qualifications or experience alone, without the need to be recommended by two members of the Society. The historic decision was taken at the ISM's Annual General Meeting on 16 April.

ISM Chief Executive, Deborah Annetts, said:

'These changes make the ISM even more open and inclusive. As a professional body, we're interested in what you know - not who you know.

'The ISM is a uniquely independent voice for the whole music profession. Our members include performers, composers, class teachers, private teachers, academics and therapists working in all musical genres.

'Applying for ISM membership has never been easier, so we're looking forward to welcoming many more musicians to benefit from our excellent legal services, comprehensive insurance cover and opportunities for professional development.'

http://www.ism.org/email/6_09/6_09.html

Thanks for all the replies and the info. I guess a degree in music is ok for them then.

I think I would need more quals in piano, as I am higher qualified in singing. I think I'll go for the ISM unless anyone can show me a singers union, or persuade me otherwise in the next day or so

It is all a bit confusing, but all the unions are very helpful when they are trying to get your money. It is what happens after that I am sceptical about!

It's not exactly a union, but AoToS ( Association of Teachers of Singing) is very helpful - probably more so when you have quite a few singing students ( though I believe they do have student members ). There's an excellent one-week Summer Pedagogy Course for teachers of all ages and levels of experience.

Both EPTA and AoToS are around half the price of the ISM, for almost exactly the same benefits. If you are a student, I don't think you would need to join more than one. It all depends what you hope to gain from them.

I used to be in ATL when I was employed by LEA Music Services, but when I gave that up and became self-employed I wasn't eligible to remain a member. When I had a bit of hassle with my last Music Service (over my contract, or, rather, LACK of) they were totally useless!

I was also in the MU, and would agree with dcmbarton that they don't really cater for teachers. Ironically, I had difficulty getting them to TAKE my money, after changing my bank account, so I let my membership lapse.

I looked into joining the ISM a couple of years ago, but I, too, felt put-off by the two-referee bit, so I'm glad to hear that they're now becoming more 'inclusive' and this definitely seems the way to go!

Allegra

I've been a member of the MU ever since leaving music college and they've offered just about everything I've needed, including 3rd Party Liability Insurance.

I'm pleased to hear that the ISM have changed their tune (if you'll pardon the pun) as they always came across as a bit of a snobby organisation, especially requiring a referee. Put simply, I've never actually worked with anyone who was an ISM member and therefore couldn't be recommened. However, their change of policy will probably result in a lot more people joining.

I wonder if the current economic climate might be having something to do with it - anything that will drum up business and revenue in these cash-strapped times.