The MBF is the music business’s own charity—the largest of its kind in the UK. Last year we spent over £3 million supporting musicians from school age through to retirement from all areas of music and from across the UK and the whole of Ireland. Our work has two main strands; helping music professionals of all ages who are struggling because of accident, illness or old age, and helping aspiring professionals with their education and the difficult first steps into a career in music through a wide variety of award schemes. 

How can the MBF help you? 

The MBF has two main schemes which are designed to help you through your studies and onto a successful career on graduation.  

MBF Student Health Scheme 

We all know that intense practice, late night rehearsals and a gruelling performance schedule can take its toll. If you feel that you have a specific performance-related health problem which is making life difficult for you then we may be able to help. 

The MBF Student Health Scheme offers financial assistance with the treatment of performance-related health problems, both physical and psychological, to full-time degree level students. It could be that you are a guitar player and are suffering from a regular pain in your hand which, despite periods of rest, isn’t getting any better. Or perhaps you are a singer and are experiencing stage-fright which is making performing really difficult. Maybe you are a drummer and broke your thumb and need some physiotherapy to get your hand back to full strength. These are all problems the MBF could help you deal with. We could contribute towards the costs of physiotherapy, counselling, remedial massage, or any other appropriate treatment to get you back to your best. Typically, after assessment, a successful student could be awarded an initial treatment grant of £250 to pay for the recommended treatment and a further £250 could be available if the practitioner recommends further treatment.   

So, how do you access this help? 

Download an application form from www.mbf.org.uk/studenthealth and ask a member of ICMP staff to sign and stamp the confirmation section as proof of your enrolment at the Institute. Then call BAPAM (British Association of Performing Arts Medicine) on 0845 602 0235 to register as a BAPAM patient and to arrange an appointment at your nearest BAPAM clinic. BAPAM’s doctors are experienced in treating performers and are often performers themselves. 

At your appointment the BAPAM doctor will discuss your problem with you and recommend the most suitable treatment. Don’t forget to bring your application form along to your appointment as they will make notes on it. You are now ready to submit your application to the MBF. You will hear back from us within 5 working days.  

If you have any questions about the scheme then give the Casework team a call on 020 7636 4481 or email studenthealth@mbf.org.uk     

MBF Songwriting Awards 2009 

The MBF can also offer help to aspiring songwriters to the tune of £5,000. Universities and colleges from all over the UK are invited to nominate their most talented students for the MBF Songwriting Awards, which are open to songwriters studying on pop or commercial music degree courses. The awards are for a creative songwriting project in recording, composition or performance and previous winners include The Wombats who are currently enjoying huge success. 

Up to seven talented young songwriters will make it to the Showcase Final in November 2009 where they will get to perform at major music venue, The Bedford, in South London, in front of a panel made of up of some of the most successful songwriters in the business. Last year, the panel was chaired by Joan Armatrading and, previously, by Guy Chambers.  Other members have included Cathy Dennis, Nik Kershaw and Dan Gillespie-Sells from The Feeling. 

The MBF is also working closely with the Musicians Union and is able to offer all finalists free attendance on two professional development courses, seminars or workshops organised by the Musicians Union. The finalists will also have the opportunity to meet with their regional MU representative to receive specialist advice and career guidance.  

And how to apply? 

Each institution can nominate one individual or group who will need to be recommended by their Head of Course. The application form will be available to be downloaded from the MBF’s website (www.mbf.org.uk) from autumn 2009 and should be submitted along with: 

• two original songs, not longer than four minutes each, uploaded to your own or your group’s MySpace page for the panel to listen to for shortlisting. (The songs will need to be playable live and include no sampled material or re-mixes).
• copies of the lyrics
• a reference from your Head of Course 

If you have any questions then give us a call on 020 7636 4481 or email education@mbf.org.uk