Graduate rate

Join ISM as a full member with the graduate rate

£50 per year

We know that establishing yourself as a professional musician can be difficult. That's why we offer recent graduates an extra helping hand for their first three years of ISM membership. The graduate rate gives you all the benefits of full membership at a fraction of the cost.

See also full membership: complete list of benefits

Peace of mind: comprehensive insurance cover

Full members who live in the European Union are protected against public liability claims relating to all aspects of your musical work up to £10 million.

Public liability insurance is vital. It protects you against claims for damage to property or injury to people – whether at home, in schools, in performances – that is deemed to be your fault. Many venues and local authorities insist that musicians have it, and it can be very expensive to obtain on an individual basis.

UK residents are also covered for employer’s liability and the accountancy costs of a full HMRC tax investigation.

Professional advice

We can give you expert advice on important issues affecting your work, including child protection, ethical questions, professional development, noise, and behaviour management. We offer members individual careers advice and guidance on training and courses.

Our in-house legal team can help you with contracts, unpaid fees, holiday pay, employment matters and other issues connected to your working life as a musician. You can consult our legal team on copyright and royalties too.

We’ll provide representation in disciplinary hearings. We can even help you pursue disputes through the courts, and provide advice about criminal proceedings, with the backing of your legal expenses insurance.

In addition, our 24-hour legal & tax helpline can answer your questions on all legal matters, whether personal or work-related.

Inside knowledge

Our advice for musicians pages guide you through the music profession, with clear advice and guidance on an extensive range of topics. Our regular surveys of professional fees can inform your negotiations on pay. You’ll get full access to all of these pages as a full member.

Music Journal, our monthly magazine, brings you news and developments from the full spectrum of music-making. We'll send you it every month by email.

Raise your profile

Full members can apply to join our online registers of private teachers, performers & composers, and musicians in education. Our Register of Professional Private Music Teachers is the only directory of proven professionals on the web and receives thousands of visits every month.

When times get tough

If you need support, our 24-hour counselling helpline is there for full members and their dependants to talk through personal problems with professional counsellors. If financial hardship is the issue, the ISM Members Fund can step in to support you through the crisis.

Professional development

ISM events help you develop your skills throughout your career. Our regular seminars and conferences enable music professionals to meet, share ideas and opinions, learn about the latest developments, debate current issues and hear from experts in the musical world.

Our UK-wide network of local Centres keeps you in touch with musicians nearby. Regular professional and social events, from workshops and pupils’ concerts to lunches and nights out, let you meet fellow musicians in your area.

Discounts

We have negotiated generous discounts on many products and services useful to the professional musician, including concerts, accommodation, sheet music and instruments.

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