Classical music faces ‘talent exodus’ by parents and carers, report reveals

Research into the experiences of parents and carers in the classical music industry has found that the sector is at risk of losing talent unless employment practices are improved. The research, conducted by Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) alongside Birkbeck, University of London, culminated in the Bittersweet Symphony report.

Supported by Help Musicians and Musicians’ Union, the research used data from 443 participants in surveys, online focus groups and in-depth interviews. The resulting report reveals the worrying discovery that 40% of respondents are thinking of leaving their careers in music.

Professor Almuth McDowall led the research team. She said: ‘Parents and in particular self-employed women report significant career penalties in terms of access to work and earnings. Our research signposts a clear need to address outdated work practices and a culture of employers not taking responsibility for duty of care and equal opportunity.’

Additional key findings include:

• Nine out of ten musicians, composers, opera singers and conductors reported turning down work due to caring responsibilities.
• The classical music industry’s highly gendered work structures result in women being twice as likely to turn down work due to caring responsibilities.
• Self-employed women (including mothers) reported a pay penalty of £8,000, earning £12,000, compared to £20,000 for freelance men.
• Only 4% of respondents referenced a supportive employer, with most relying on support from family, partners or friends to help them manage work and family.
• Two thirds (65%) of respondents reported that income from music ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ covers unexpected costs.
• Almost half (48%) said that income from music never or rarely covers basic needs.

PiPA has begun working with partners including Black Lives in Music, Help Musicians, Independent Society of Musicians, Liverpool Philharmonic, Musicians’ Union, PPL, Royal Opera House, Scottish Opera and SWAP’ra to create a Best Practice Charter supporting the sector to address the issues raised by the research.

Charisse Beaumont, CEO of confirmed partner Black Lives in Music, said: ‘We are haemorrhaging talent at all levels in the music industry due to lack of support and policies in place for parents and carers. This has had a snowball effect across the sector where we a see blatant lack of understanding to the current needs of the music workforce.’

You can read the full Bittersweet Symphony report here.