• Help Musicians and the Musicians’ Union have launched a new nationwide census to generate the first ever comprehensive picture of the UK’s music-making population
• Accessible to all musicians*, insights from the Musicians’ Census will help measure changes in the musicians’ community over time, and track long term trends
• Notable voices from Black Lives in Music, London Symphony Orchestra and UK Music support Help Musicians and the Musicians’ Union, encouraging musicians across the country to complete the Census

Black Musicians in the UK are being urged to take part in the first Musicians’ Census, launched by the Help Musicians and the Musicians’ Union. The ambitious project aims to both map the total population of musicians and build a picture of what musicians’ lives and careers look like to help develop a deeper understanding of the community within the UK.

Recent research from Help Musicians has shown the cost-of-living crisis, ongoing impact of the pandemic and Brexit, amongst other factors, are all having a ​‘brutal’ impact on the UK’s musicians with close to half (49%) saying they are ​‘very’ or ​‘extremely’ concerned they will be forced to leave the industry, whilst a further 35% are ​‘slightly or ​‘somewhat’ worried they will have to^**. Repeated every three to five years, the Musicians’ Census will allow organisations such as Help Musicians and the MU to monitor and respond to these challenges.

The census is for all musicians who earn or aspire to earn income from music – they don’t have to be an MU member. Data will be gathered on demography, diversity, health and wellbeing, and the breadth of working patterns and income. To ensure all musicians, and everyone working on behalf of musicians, can benefit from the project, key findings will be shared with partner charities and music industry bodies. This information will help organisations plan how best to represent, advocate for and support musicians in future years, thereby building a stronger, thriving, more inclusive industry.

Naomi Pohl, Musicians’ Union General Secretary comments: “In order for the census to properly represent the musicians’ population, it has to include as many different perspectives and experiences as possible, and especially those who are already under-represented in the industry and society. We want to hear from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians to learn more about the community so we can build a better industry, one that’s inclusive, accessible and fair to all.

While we interact with musicians on a daily basis, the community spans such a broad range of demographics and backgrounds, we know more can be done to understand the holistic picture. This is why we need the Musicians’ Census.

The Census takes just minutes to complete and you have the chance to win one of 5 £300 One for all gift cards as a thank you for your time. Together we can make a difference; together we can bring about real social change.”

The Musicians’ Census is open until the end of the month. To find out more and take part, please visit: https://www.musicianscensus.co.uk/

Charisse Beaumont, Chief Executive, Black Lives in Music says: “Data isn’t about numbers, but it is about understanding big truths and developing actions in a more meaningful way. I’m encouraged that Help Musicians and The Musicians’ Union are conducting the Musicians’ Census. Now there can be acknowledgement of the experiences of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians and organisations can work to help meet their needs. Never has there been a more crucial time to truly help all musicians working in the music industry.”

Nate Holder, is a musician, author and international speaker and an ambassador for the Musicians’ Census. He has achieved a BA in Music at Anglia Ruskin University and went on to obtain an MMus at Kingston University, while winning the MMus prize for outstanding achievement.

During his playing career, Nate has performed with artists such as Ed Sheeran, KOKOROKO, The Arkells and recorded with Ghetts and Julianna Townsend, as well as regularly performing with DJ’s and bands at events around the world.

Nate says: “Whether you teach young children or play in sold-out arenas, taking part in this Census will help to ensure your music-making activities are supported by organisations who are seeking to create the best possible environments for you and your music to not only survive, but thrive.”

Musician and Chair of the MU’s Equality Diversity & Inlcusion committee, Linton Stephens is also an ambassador for the Musicians’ Census and in addition to his work as an ambassador, is the Sub-principal Bassoon at Chineke! Orchestra, Artistic Associate at The Multi-Story Orchestra and Board Member at Chetham’s School of Music and the Orion Orchestra.

Linton encourages all muscians to take part in the census: “This census is going to give us a thorough view of the industry – both the things we’re getting right and the things we’re not doing so well. We’re encouraging everyone to fill it out and every bit of info you can provide is valuable. When you’ve taken that ten minutes you can know that you’re an important contribution to a better industry.

In order to stand in your corner and to provide the best possible support, we need to get to know the music community better; who you are, where you are, what you do and what support you need to keep doing it – which is why the census is so important to all musicians.”

Sarah Woods, Deputy Chief Executive at Help Musicians adds: “At Help Musicians, we believe that musicians really count, and we have been working for over 100 years to make a meaningful difference to the lives of musicians across the UK. To date however, there has never been a comprehensive picture of the total population of musicians and without this insight we are unable to ensure our support is as impactful as it can be.

“With the Musicians’ Union, we developed this project to ensure that the future design of our services and support initiatives is truly built upon a detailed and factual understanding of the lives and careers of all those we seek to serve.  Working collaboratively with others within the industry totrack trends we will all better understand and shape a world where musicians can thrive in the decades to come.”

Industry leaders and notable musicians, including Charisse Beaumont from Black Lives in Music, Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, Chief Executive of UK Music, and Maxine Kwok at the London Symphony Orchestra are encouraging all musicians to get involved and take the Census.

The Musicians’ Census is open until the end of the month. To find out more and take part, please visit: https://www.musicianscensus.co.uk/

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