Musicians on the breadline

A QUARTER of professional musicians do not earn enough to support themselves and their families and almost half make less than £14,000 a year from playing.

The first UK Musicians’ Census found the average annual income from music work is £20,700 and many musicians must find extra income from jobs in other industries.

One in six musicians also reported being in debt, according to the study by charity Help Musicians.

The charity’s chief executive Sarah Woods said: ‘The census paints a picture of the distinctive challenges musicians face to sustain a career.’