The Musicians' Union (the MU) is aware that the landscape for concert music composers has changed and continues to evolve, and that the MU's Concert Music Commissioning guideline rates (2008) may not be reflective of the economic world we exist in today.

With the development of co-commissioning and genres evolving, there is a need to ensure that the updated rates are fit for purpose, realistic and reflective of the real world in which musicians and composers are actively working. The MU also wants to ensure that we support members in securing the best possible rates whilst acknowledging that the MU is unable to provide a rate for every individual scenario.

This survey seeks to create an updated, strong and informed view of the UK concert music commissioning environment (and, therefore, it is not intended to cover media and theatre commissions), and is important in gaining your personal perspectives on your work as concert music composers, the contracts and fees you may be offered and how the landscape has been changing. It is important to the MU to capture perspectives of members from all backgrounds in the UK, whether you are an emerging or longer established composer, or whether concert music composing is your main income from music, or supplements a more varied musical career.
Thank you for taking the time to support this work - the survey will take c.20 minutes to complete.

The deadline for completion is: 5pm on 24th June 2026

To enter the prize draw to win a £200 Rough Trade e-Gift Card, please enter your name and email address where indicated at the end of this survey. Prize terms can be found here.
If you need support filling out this survey, please contact writers@themu.org

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