New year, Frozen subs ❄️ At the ISM we know how difficult it is for musicians right now, so for a second year running we are not raising our membership price Same fees, same premium services, same high quality support for your career Not an ISM member? Join now ⬇️ www.ism.org/join-us/

INTRODUCING: How to... Become a session musician 🎶 Learn how to build and maintain a fruitful career as a session musician from Nick Fitch, one of the most in-demand guitarists and musical directors in London Free for all ISM members and just £5 for non-members ⬇️ www.ism.org/product/how-...

'Copyright can be a cloak to what we are actually talking about, which is money' Guy Gadney urges government to look at how creators can be supported financially for producing content, not just remuneration from it's use to train Gen AI ⬇️

The ISM is deeply saddened by the passing of John Wallace CBE. John was one of the UK's finest trumpeters and a truly inspirational champion of music and music education. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

Musicians - what's in store for you in 2026? 🤔 As a new year kicks off, take a quick look back at our highlights from a jam-packed 2025 ⬇️ Watch in full: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyLl...

After years of campaigning, legislation banning the use of non-disclosure agreements in cases of bullying and harassment has been passed. The ISM is proud to have been part of making this crucial change happen. Find out why it’s so important for music: www.ism.org/news/mps-vot...

Get expert legal support 🎵   Access one-to-one advice from our in-house legal team on any issues relating to your music career, including recovering unpaid fees, employment rights, discrimination, redundancy, publishing contracts, copyright and more   www.ism.org/legal-advice...

In 2025, the ISM continued to campaign to make touring in Europe easier for musicians. We are proud to be part of the Cultural Exchange Coalition and hope to see meaningful change in 2026, following some positive steps forward this year. Learn more about the coalition: culturecoalition.net

The ISM has been fighting for musicians when it comes to the threat of Artificial Intelligence. We believe remuneration, consent and transparency are for all creators. The Government has finally published its response to the Copyright and AI consultation. Read more: www.ism.org/news/ai-cons...

All ISM members enjoy free access to a package of health and wellbeing services through our sister charity the ISM Members Fund, helping you to stay physically and mentally healthy while facing life’s challenges   Find out more www.ism.org/members-fund/

This year, we were proud to honour two very special individuals for their contribution to music. In April, Nathaniel Dye MBE received the ISM Lifetime Achievement Award and earlier in December we presented Sir John Rutter with the Distinguished Musician Award.

Safeguard your music career with ISM insurance From protecting your valuable musical instruments to offering comprehensive liability coverage, the ISM is here to support you Find out more www.ism.org/insurance-fo...

After 15 years of campaigning by the ISM, in November the EBacc was scrapped! The historic announcement came as part of the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review. Find out how it happened: www.ism.org/news/abolish...

JOB OPPORTUNITY 🚨 The ISM is hiring a Legal Officer to support members with unpaid work, contracts and general legal queries. We’re looking for someone with experience or knowledge in areas like contract, copyright or employment law Apply today: www.ism.org/about/vacanc...

Season's Greetings from all of us at the ISM! We hope you have a wonderful time🎄

We know this time of year can be challenging for some of our members.   If you’re feeling lonely, isolated, or struggling with your mental health, you don’t have to face it alone. ISM members have access to a free, confidential 24/7 counselling helpline.   www.ism.org/advice/menta...

Need a last-minute Christmas present? Why not gift ISM membership 🎁   Give the musicians in your life access to free legal advice, essential insurances, mental health support, professional development, and so much more.   www.ism.org/join-us/gift...

Festive season opening hours 🎄 The ISM office will be closed over the festive period. During this time, a limited service will be in place to support members Have a brilliant festive season, whether you're taking a break from working or delighting audiences with your music

Why does VAT matter to musicians? 🎵 Whether you sell merch, tickets to gigs, or other services - understanding VAT is essential ISM members can stay on track with our clear, comprehensive tax advice Find out more: www.ism.org/advice/vat-f...

The Employment Rights Bill has finally passed Parliament It will introduce better protections against workplace harassment, third-party harassment, a ban on using NDAs to conceal harassment and extend the time limit for bringing employment cases to tribunal

The ISM thanks Baroness Hodge for her insightful and robust report on Arts Council England, which recommends many of the reforms we have been calling for Read more ⬇️ www.ism.org/news/ism-wel...

The ISM welcomes the findings of the Copyright and AI consultation 95% of respondents support licensing AI training data by strengthening or retaining UK copyright. Consent and fair remuneration must come with transparency on how creators’ works are used www.ism.org/news/ai-cons...

The @creatorsrights.bsky.social is delighted that @dannetts.bsky.social has been appointed to the Government's vital Creative Industries Council Deborah is both Chief Executive at the ISM and Vice Chair of the CRA and she is committed to ensuring that the voice of creators is heard

Our Winter edition of Music Journal has arrived and it’s a special one! This issue takes you inside the ISM’s 15-year campaign to scrap the EBacc - a landmark victory for music education

A petition has been launched to stop the closure of the Royal Shakespeare Company's music department, eradicating over 60 years of cultural heritage The ISM call on the RSC to reverse this proposal and commit to protecting live music Sign the petition 📝 www.change.org/p/stop-the-c...

JOB OPPORTUNITY 🚨 The ISM is hiring a Legal Officer to support members with unpaid work, contracts and general legal queries. We’re looking for someone with experience or knowledge in areas like contract, copyright or employment law Apply today: www.ism.org/about/vacanc...

New rules will impact pernambuco wood from 2026 but string players can continue to travel freely with their bows after lobbying from the ISM and partners Find out more about what the changes mean for musicians and bow traders: www.ism.org/news/new-cit...

A petition calling for cuts to Nottingham University's music courses has now reached over 16,000 signatures If you are an ISM member and have been affected by these cuts, you can contact our legal team for support and advice Read more on our website ⬇️ www.ism.org/news/notting...

‘For many, Sir John’s music simply is the sound of Christmas’ Last week at the Royal Albert Hall, we had the great pleasure of presenting Sir John Rutter with the ISM Distinguished Musician Award, recognising his remarkable career and a lifetime of service to music

"I'm nothing if not persistent" Classical Music have interviewed ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts to celebrate her dedicated work to scrap the EBacc over the last 15 years Read more ⬇️ www.classical-music.uk/features/art...

John was also presented with the Distinguished Musician Award by @ism-music.bsky.social, in recognition of his lifelong service to music-making.

A very worthy and long overdue recipient; congratulations, Sir John Rutter! 🥂

🏆 Sir John Rutter 🏆 And the winner of the Distinguished Music Award 2025 is... 🥁 Sir John Rutter! The honour is in recognition of Sir John’s remarkable career and lifetime of service to the art of music 🎉 Read the full story ⬇️ www.ism.org/news/sir-joh...

📝 Professional Indemnity Insurance 📝 As a music teacher, there's a whole host of insurances you need to ensure you're protected in the workplace and Professional Indemnity is key Find out more ⬇️ www.ism.org/advice/profe...

🏆 COUNTDOWN TO THE DMA 🏆 What makes the Distinguished Musician Award so special? Founded by the ISM in 1976, the DMA honours individuals who make an exceptional impact on musical life Who's going to be next? Two days to go... 👀 Read more ⬇️ www.ism.org/ism-distingu...

The ISM is pleased be supporting the Cultural Exchange Coalition, backed by over 50 organisations in the UK and Europe Cultural exchange is incredibly important for touring artists. We need our political leaders to remove the barriers preventing it 👇 culturecoalition.net

🏆 COUNTDOWN TO THE DMA 🏆 First Look! Check out this year's stunning trophy for the Distinguished Music Award, isn't it beautiful? We're so excited for this year's recipient! Who do you think is going to receive it? Three days to go... 👀 Read more ⬇️ www.ism.org/ism-distingu...

🚨 LAST CHANCE 🚨 Our final webinar panellist Nick Fowler signed his first record deal at just 16 and has spent the last 25+ years touring the world as a multi-instrumentalist His experience across the UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, and America makes his insight unmissable 🎉

🏆 COUNTDOWN TO THE DMA 🏆 This week we'll be announcing who will receive the ISM Distinguished Musician Award 2025 But! Before that we wanted to celebrate our incredible past winners from the last few years, look how cool they are 🎉 Four days to go... 👀 Read more ⬇️ www.ism.org/ism-distingu...

📰 BBC Radio Scotland Cuts 📰 Backlash follows after BBC Radio Scotland announced proposals to cut four music programmes, with 1000s signing a petition to save the Iain Anderson show Help protect these platforms for Scottish music Sign the petition ⬇️ www.change.org/p/save-the-i...

📣 Speaker Announcement 📣 Andy Corrigan joins our touring webinar next week! Andy is a punk legend who travelled globally with The Mekons, tour managed some of the world's biggest bands and founded Viva La Visa, which ISM members can access for tailored visa and touring advice

🎧 New Music Fridays 🎧 As we close out November we still have a whole host of excellent new albums out Check out these favourites from Team ISM to boost your Friday 🎉 💿 Don’t Tease Me with a Good Time - Jessie J 💿 ‘94 (Chapter 2) - 2Bona

📰 Northumbria University: Don't cut the Music BA 📰 ISM raises concerns over plans to close the university's undergraduate music course from 2026 Read more about the proposed cuts alongside Chief Executive Deborah Annetts letter to the university now ⬇️ www.ism.org/news/northum...

📣 Speaker Announcement 📣 Dr Jodie Underhill joins us for our touring webinar next week! As the ISM’s lead on research across key policy areas, Jodie works at the heart of our campaigning issues affecting musicians

📣 Speaker Announcement 📣 We’re excited to welcome Duayne Sanford, a London-based drummer and musical director who’s completed multiple world tours and performed on the biggest festival stages around the globe to our touring webinar next week!

📝 Insurance for Music Teachers 📝 Whether you're teaching in schools, homes or venues, ISM membership has got you covered 🎉 Avoid the headache, check out our insurance offer ⬇️ www.ism.org/advice/insur...

📰 ICYMI: Music Cuts at Nottingham University📰 ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts comments "The government’s decision to scrap the EBacc gives music in schools a lifeline, but higher education music opportunities are just as vital" Read more ⬇️ www.ism.org/news/notting...

An important question by @baronesskeeley.bsky.social, who asks government to reinstate bursaries for trainee music teachers If music education is to return to the heart of the curriculum, we desperately need more teachers to deliver it ⬇️

🚨 WEBINAR ALERT 🚨 Singers! Are you protecting your vocal health? Are you pacing your voice when teaching or performing? Learn everything you don't know about your voice from vocal expert Jenevora Williams on Wed 26 Nov Secure your place now ⬇️ www.ism.org/event/vocal-...

🎧 New Music Fridays 🎧 A brand new selection of incredible albums are out today, and we’re spoilt for choice! Check out the records Team ISM are grooving to this weekend 🪩 💿 EUSEXUA Afterglow - FKA twigs 💿 Everyone’s A Star - 5 Seconds of Summer