Looking around to contact insurers yesterday, I stumbled across the website of the ISM (Incorporated Society of Musicians), and wondered if it could possibly be a viable alternative to the MU, for us D.J's??.

If, like me, you are still awaiting a definitive yes/no to your application to join the Musicians Union - 6 months on , then it may be worth looking into, since they may not be aloof like the MU appear to be.

Details, and a full list of benefits can be found here ISM Website

Even though we may not qualify as Musicians, we may get in under the following heading, taken from their own website:-

Enquiry sent, watch this space ..............

Spinko

Have left a message too.

Any update on this ADS?, Spinko?

Chris and all members of DJU, please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to this.

Detailed below is the email reply I received from ISM


Dear Chris

Many thanks for your email.

The ISM is the UK's professional body for all musicians, whether
performers, composers, teachers, lecturers, therapists or musicologists.
We provide complete professional support for musicians, on an individual
basis, throughout their careers.

Full membership is for professionally qualified and active musicians; it
gives fully comprehensive professional protection and the complete range
of ISM services.

If you feel you qualify for full membership, further details and
application forms can be found on our website www.ism.org

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me
further.

Yours sincerely

NICOLA LOUGHREY
Office Assistant
Incorporated Society of Musicians
T. 020 7629 4413 F. 020 7408 1538



I then made a couple of enquiries regarding the qualifications and interpretation of active


Nicola,
Thank you for your email and prompt response.
I think the crux of the matter comes down to the professionally qualified and active musician/performers requirement.
Firstly, do you have to be professionally qualified or just active.
Does DJ-ing qualify as an active musician/performer.
Your clarification on these points would be appreciated.
Thanking you in advance
Chris


I have chased them up today for a response...................

Spinko

Hmmm - would be interesting to see how they can clarify Qualifications when it comes down to D.J'ing since no such thing exist's . Maybe one of those wonderful things which they have thought about as an excuse to prevent the humble D.J from joining without actively telling you:- "your names not down you are NOT coming in".

Hmm a feel a ISM cop out coming on here, and the usual close the door in your face routine. But we'll wait to see what the reply is.

am waiting with bated breath to see what they say... Mind you, how many of you have been put in the "manual labour" category for life insurance/insurance because you DJ for a living... Unfortunately DJ-ing seems incomprehensible to many insuring bodies and we appear to be a very grey area..... How fick are sum ov dese peepull

Dear All,

Here is the reply that I received to my enquiry

Dear Chris

Thank you for your email.

Professionally qualified means you must have obtained some sort of
professional qualification like a degree in music, Diploma in your
instrument or a teaching qualification to name but a few. Every person
who applies for full membership has to be sponsored by two other full
ISM members. If an applicant does not have any professional
qualifications we will write to your sponsors asking for a reference.
Full members will be involved in full-time professional musical work -
the majority of full members are active in the classical music sector
only.

If you feel that you could fulfil the above criteria then please forward
to me your postal details and I can arrange for further information and
an application pack to be sent to you in the post.

Yours sincerely

NICOLA LOUGHREY
Office Assistant
Incorporated Society of Musicians
T. 020 7629 4413 F. 020 7408 1538

Unless we wish to persue this further by getting a couple of klnown members to sponsor us, I think this avenue is closed. Perhaps we can try to put some pressure on the MU

Spinko

All thats needed is the usual deposit of a pound of flesh and the donation of your body to medical science.

I really am starting to believe that it is easier to join a Masonic Lodge than it is to join an organisation such as the ISM, they really do go out of their way to alienate the humble D.J don't they!.

Maybe the next time that Nicola wants to book a D.J for a party, we should ask her to fill in lots of forms and provide sponsors so that she feels patronised as well. I wonder if she asks to see the drivers sponsors before she hires a cab?? but does that make him any less of a professional Driver? . I'm only surprised that she hasn't asked you to name which public school you attended

No i'm not bitter at all!, so thats another one off the list.

Well at least she replyed

Nah, they don't even answer emails!. I think Petee only got in because he has strong links with bands and singers.

The Mu will take DJ's as members and the quickest way is to apply on line and pay by Direct debit You should get your membership paper in a couple of weeks
I will make some enqs for the forum Thursday if you like

I gave up after three attempts to contact them and no answers.

To join the Musicians Union visit their web site
http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/membershi...p/welcome.shtml

Decided on which membership fee applies to you
complete the application on line with the direct debit mandate as membership is cheaper that way

You will get the memebership card within a couple of weeks

Membership rates are determined by your Yearly Earnings From Music

up to £7,500
£85.00 Cheque/Credit Card £78.00 Direct Debit

over £7,500 up to £15,000
£112.00 Cheque/Credit Card £99.00 Direct Debit

over £15,000 up to £25,000
Cheque/Credit Card £200.00 £180.00 Direct Debit

over £25,000
Cheque/Credit Card £220.00 £198.00 Direct Debit

Y Reduced rate for young applicants under the age of 21 and earning < £7,500 per year and full time students £36.00 £33.00

Mu can be contacted by phone 0207582 5566 or
e mail info@musiciansunion.org.uk

Like alot of companies you get various departments staffed by some more committed than others but anyone from this forum should have no difficulty joining as a DJ

You do not need to stand on one leg with a patch on your eye with a qualification in watching paint dry.

MU want more members and now accept DJ's

The fact I have dealings with a lot of bands had no bearing on my application.