Page 684 - Liverpool Philharmonic 22-23 Season Coverage Book

research signposts a clear need to address outdated work practices and a culture of employers not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.