Full Membership

Full Membership Benefits

> public and employer’s liability cover to £10 million for members resident in the UK. Public liability insurance is vital: it protects musicians against claims for injuries on their own premises, and against personal claims for damage elsewhere, such as in schools or examination centres (do take care to check your current position carefully, since some insurance packages have important exclusions);

> legal advisory service, which covers any professional dispute, and has an outstanding record of success in recovering unpaid fees and resolving employment and contractual problems; legal expenses insurance within the EU, which can save many hundreds of pounds in premiums and legal fees.

> 24-hour Legal & Tax Helpline, which will provide you with authoritative advice on any problem, whether personal or professional, as often as you need it, at any time of the day or night. The advice will be confirmed in writing if you wish;

> Tax investigation insurance covering your accountancy fees if you are subjected to a full HMRC tax investigation. We also offer a special tax return completion service for £125 plus VAT;

> individual legal representation in disciplinary hearings, industrial tribunals and the courts where appropriate;

> 24-hour Counselling Helpline, so that you can discuss personal stress or other problems with trained counsellors over the phone;

> Specialist Sections for performers & composers, private teachers and musicians in education, which deal with topical issues affecting the profession and members’ interests;

> promotional registers of specialists in print and online, which have a solid reputation for reliability and accuracy. There is also an exclusive ISM Yellow Pages advertising scheme for registered private teacher members;

> conferences and seminars, which support your professional development by increasing your expertise and understanding. Recent seminars have covered careers, child protection, repertoire and musicians’ health;

> guidance on fees, which are recognised nationally. As a professional body we treat our members as individuals, and therefore do not undertake collective bargaining, but our working agreements with bodies such as the BBC set out a clear framework for negotiations;

> standard contracts, which have stood the test of the courts and provide a high degree of security for musicians. For more complicated contracts (such as recording, publishing and agency agreements), free personal advice is available from our head office;

> monthly Music Journal, which keeps members up-to-date with the ISM’s activities and with developments in the musical world generally;

> network of regional Centres, which keep members in touch with each other through professional and social events;

> ISM Mastercard, a special affinity credit card accepted at 10 million outlets worldwide;

> substantial discounts on specific insurance schemes - instrument, private health, motor and household - as well as on sheet music, books, instruments, and many other goods and services;

> will-writing service, normally £95 plus VAT (£160 for a pair of ‘mirror’ wills, plus VAT); fixed price conveyancing for £399 plus VAT and disbursements; an inclusive pacakge including a Home Information Pack and conveyancing for £745 plus VAT;

> ISM Members Fund, which stands ready to help if you or your dependants are suffering hardship;

> national leadership: this role is underpinned by our unique Corporate members’ grouping of around 120 musical bodies, such as AOTOS, SMA, EPTA, ESTA and the MMA, as well as all the UK’s conservatoires and main examining boards, bringing together the various branches of the profession under a single umbrella.