Kathy Dyson: First Woman To Be Nominated As MU General Secretary

The Musician Union's current General Secretary's term of office will expire this year. Their Executive Council has announced that an election must be held and one of the candidates for the position is a woman for the first time in the Union's long history.

After fifteen years of administration, John Smith will be retiring on October 16 this year. According to the Musician Union, Dr. Kathy Dyson is challenging the current MU Assistant General Secretary Horace Trubridge for the position.

Dyson is a jazz guitarist, academic, composer, and trade union, the activist working in Manchester. The ballot of members will be held between 6 and 27 March. For the first time in the 123 years history of the union, one female stand up to take the position. Since 1893, the Musician Union has never elected a female leader nevertheless being nominated to the position.

According to Slipped Disc, Dyson believes that the union has to change in order to meet more effectively the unprecedented challenges that the union is now facing. She said that she is standing for more feminist, inclusive and collaborative approach to working together.

She also wants a decentralized union that fights more strongly for instrumental music education and funding musical work in all regions. Creating a lasting policy and strategy for every area of music they cover as a guide to action. Dyson also wants more member involvement for their collective endeavor. She believes that taking initiative in organizing music campaigns in the United States will generate better work for jazz musicians.

The local authority and central government are cutting the funding and since most jazz musicians also rely on instrumental teaching work. She believes in building a better foundation for their existing job will help them. Collaborations with regional arts organizations will also help to fight the funding cuts.

TagsMusician Union, Music Executive Councils, MU Assistant General Secretary, Horace Trubridge, John Smith, Dyson, jazz musician