Ongoing research published in the Journal of Music, Health, and Wellbeing continues to provide strong evidence of the pandemic's huge impact...
In September, following up on a survey in March at the start of lockdown, we asked our members what the impact of Covid-19 had been on their music group, and how they were managing in this new environment
The March survey, as groups were struggling to cancel events and rehearsals, highlighted two things – significant overall financial losses, but even more concerns about losing the social connection to their fellow group members.
Finances
The September survey, completed by over 1,000 of our member groups, confirmed there were financial losses, and especially that the future is looking bleak, with a quarter concerned about the medium to long-term sustainability of their group beyond this year. 68% expect their income for this year to be significantly (more than 25%) lower than in the previous year.
In-person events cancelled
95% of groups have had to cancel a public event (including performances, come and sing or play events, workshops, etc.) between March and August 2020, resulting in an estimated total cost to groups of £1,073,361 (or an average cost of £1,424 per group, or £2,413 for those experiencing a loss).
At the time of the survey, and before the national three-tier system, 79% of groups were cancelling all or some of their public events from September to December. With uncertainty around the development of the pandemic, 64% of groups were not planning any events for this entire period. However, some groups were still definitely planning or considering going ahead (29%) or not planning to cancel their events (6%).
The September survey, completed by over 1,000 of our member groups, confirmed there were financial losses, and especially that the future is looking bleak, with a quarter concerned about the medium to long-term sustainability of their group beyond this year
The rise of – and barriers to – digital
But the impact is not just about money. In order to keep the social element, 58% of groups are now meeting online, with more planning to do so this autumn, with no let-up of the pandemic in sight. 15% of groups have produced a virtual performance during lockdown, while 3% have livestreamed performances.
The barriers, however, remain considerable. 34% state that they cannot move to digital, or not with all of their group, because their participants don't have the skills, software or hardware (or internet access) they need to engage online. A further 27% said that their members did not want to engage online. 25% have engaged online but find it hard to sustain a programme of activity week after week.
Making Music has been producing specific digital resources and events to upskill and support groups in these areas.
58% of groups are now meeting online, with more planning to do so this autumn, with no let-up of the pandemic in sight. 15% of groups have produced a virtual performance during lockdown, while 3% have livestreamed performances
Return to in-person activity
Even now when in-person activity – with risk assessment and mitigations – has become possible again, many groups report barriers to doing so.
59% refer to members being in the moderate or high risk categories (mostly in terms of age), 53% say their members are anxious about returning, whatever their risk category, and 53% have a problem finding a suitable venue which is Covid-19 secure, open, willing to take them – and large enough, now that social distancing means much more space is needed for groups to rehearse in.
43% say that interpreting government guidelines is too difficult.
Only 19% find that creating a risk assessment and mitigations is too onerous, reflecting both the strong and detailed support Making Music has been providing on this issue and the high proportion of individuals in these groups for whom that kind of activity is part of the day job.
34% state that they cannot move to digital, or not with all of their group, because their participants don't have the skills, software or hardware (or internet access) they need to engage online. A further 27% said that their members did not want to engage online
What now?
The purpose of the survey was to understand, six months into the pandemic, what the medium- to long-term effects might be on these groups which play such a crucial role for the wellbeing of their participants and communities, as well as being a vital source of income for tens of thousands of professional musicians.
The results will be used by Making Music to provide further targeted resources and training materials to support leisure-time music groups, as well as informing our lobbying and advocacy on behalf of the sector.
Download the full survey results
Access our coronavirus resources for music groups
