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Taking Part 2016/17:

MUSIC

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This report provides an overview of engagement in music for adults living in England. Data is taken from the Taking Part Survey 2016/17 and makes comparisons with earlier years. All statistically significant differences are noted in the text and on the charts:

- a statistically significant difference is a difference which is probably true and not due to chance - a non statistically significant difference is probably not a true difference and is likely to be due to chance

indicates a statistically significant difference between 2016/17 and the earliest survey year shown.

indicates the period in which statistical significance has been tested. In this report, significance testing has been applied between 2010/11 and 2016/17.

More information about the Taking Part Survey can be found in Appendix A. A Technical Note on the survey is in Appendix B.

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Contents

Key findings........................................................................................................................................................ 4

Music ................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Engagement in music ........................................................................................................................................... 6

Engagement in music by gender .......................................................................................................................................... 8

Engagement in music by age group ..................................................................................................................................... 9

Engagement in music by disability .................................................................................................................................... 10

Engagement in music by ethnic group .............................................................................................................................. 11

Engagement in music by socio-economic group ............................................................................................................. 12

Engagement in music by urban/rural ............................................................................................................................... 13

Engagement in music by region ......................................................................................................................................... 14

Music attendance ............................................................................................................................................... 16

Opera or operetta .................................................................................................................................................................. 17

Classical music ....................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Jazz ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 19

Other live music ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20

Participation in Music ......................................................................................................................................... 21

Sang to an audience or rehearsed for a performance ................................................................................................... 22

Played a musical instrument to an audience or rehearsed .......................................................................................... 23

Played a musical for own pleasure .................................................................................................................................... 24

Written music ........................................................................................................................................................................ 25

Appendix A - About the Taking Part survey ............................................................................................................. 26

Appendix B - Technical note ................................................................................................................................ 27

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Key findings

• Overall, around four in ten (42.7 per cent) of adults in England engaged in music – a statistically similar proportion as

2010/11 (fig 1).

• Nearly four in ten (37.6 per cent) adults in England has attended a music event in 2016/17 – a similar proportion to

2010/11 (fig 10).

• A similar proportion of adults had participated in music between 2010/11 and 2016/17 (14.4 per cent and 14.5 per cent

respectively) (fig 15).

• Between 2010/11 and 2016/17, there has been increases in music engagement across the following groups:

o 75+ age group – 22.7 per cent to 27.9 per cent (fig 4).

o Adults with a longstanding disability or illness – 30.1 per cent to 33.4 per cent (fig 5).

o Adults in the lower socio-economic group – 27.5 per cent to 30.6 per cent (fig 7).

o Adults living in the South West – 41.1 per cent to 50.4 per cent (fig 9a).

• In 2016/17, adults in the East of England, the South East and the South West were significantly more likely to have

engaged in music, and adults in the North East were significantly less likely to have engaged in music than the national

average (fig 9b).

• Looking at specific engagements with music, there was an increase in the proportion of adults attending other live music

events – from 28.3 per cent in 2010/11 to 31.1 per cent in 2016/17.

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Music

The Taking Part survey asks adults in England about whether they have engaged in a range of music events and activities in the

past 12 months. For this profile, engagement in music is defined as having participated in or attended at least one activity or

event listed below in the past year.

Music events:

• Opera or operetta

• Classical music performance

• Jazz performance

• Other live music event

Music activities:

• Sang to an audience or rehearsed for a performance (not karaoke)

• Played a musical instrument to an audience or rehearsed for a performance

• Played a musical instrument for own pleasure

• Written music

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Engagement in music

Between 2010/11 and 2016/17 there was a statistically similar proportion of adults in England who had engaged in music – 43.1

per cent to 42.7 per cent respectively.

Figure 1 – Engagement in music in the past 12 months

39.2%

38.3%39.6% 40.1%

41.4%43.1% 42.6%

42.1%43.5% 43.5% 42.5% 42.7%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

50.0%

2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

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Figure 2 outlines how adults in England engaged with music; whether through attendance of music events, participation in music activities, both or neither.

Between 2010/11 and 2016/17 there were no changes in attendance or participation in music.

Figure 2 – Engagement in music

26.8%28.2%

5.3% 5.1%

9.1% 9.4%

58.7% 57.3%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

2010/11 2016/17

Neither attend or participate

Attend and participate

Only participate

Only attend

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Engagement in music by gender

Between 2010/11 and 2016/17 there was a similar proportion of both men and women who had engaged in music.

However in 2016/17, gender was a significant factor in an adult’s likelihood to engage in music.

Figure 3 – Engagement in music by gender

42.7%39.9%

44.4% 41.1%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Male Female

2010/11

2016/17

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Engagement in music by age group

Between 2010/11 and 2016/17 there was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of the adults in the 75+ age

group that had engaged in music. However the levels of engagement in the other age groups was similar over time.

In 2016/17, age was a significant factor in an adult’s likelihood to engage in music.

Figure 4 – Engagement in music by age group

47.9%

42.8% 43.8%36.3%

22.7%

50.3%

43.0% 45.4%39.0%

27.9%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

16-24 25-44 45-64 65-74 75+

2010/11

2016/17

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Engagement in music by disability

Between 2010/11 and 2016/17 there was a statistically significant increase in music engagement in the proportion of the

adults who had a longstanding disability. However the levels of engagement in the other age groups was similar over time.

In 2016/17, disability status was a significant factor in an adult’s likelihood to engage in music. Figure 5 – Engagement in music by disability

44.3%

30.1%

45.3%

33.4%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

No longstanding disability or illness Longstanding disability or illness

2010/11

2016/17

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Engagement in music by ethnic group

Between 2010/11 and 2016/17 there was a similar levels of music engagement among those in both white and other ethnic

groups.

However in 2016/17, ethnic group was a significant factor in an adult’s likelihood to engage in music.

Figure 6 – Engagement in music by ethnic group

42.8%

28.1%

44.4%

31.6%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

White ethnic group Other ethnic group

2010/11

2016/17

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Engagement in music by socio-economic group

Between 2010/11 and 2016/17 there was a statistically significant increase in music engagement in the proportion of adults

in the lower socio-economic group.

In 2016/17, socio-economic group was a significant factor in an adult’s likelihood to engage in music. Figure 7 – Engagement in music by socio-economic group

49.9%

27.5%

50.5%

30.6%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Upper NS-SEC Lower NS-SEC

2010/11

2016/17

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Engagement in music by urban/rural

The proportion of adults that engaged in music among urban and rural groups was statistically similar between 2010/11 and

2016/17.

However in 2016/17, living in an urban or rural location was a significant factor in an adult’s likelihood to engage in

music.

Figure 8 – Engagement in music by urban or rural location

40.2%

45.4%

42.0%

46.5%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Urban Rural

2010/11

2016/17

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Engagement in music by region

Figure 9a provides an overview of engagement in music by region. Between 2010/11 and 2016/17 there was a statistically

significant increase in music engagement among adults living in the South West.

In 2016/17, region was a significant factor in an adult’s likelihood to engage in music.

Figure 9a – Engagement in music by region

37.8%

41.4%37.1%

39.8% 40.9%43.1% 41.3%

44.7%41.1%

36.7% 38.3% 38.5% 38.7%41.1%

47.0%

40.4%

48.4% 50.4%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

North East North West Yorkshire EastMidlands

WestMidlands

East ofEngland

London South East South West

2010/11

2016/17

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Figure 9b – Engagement in music by region (2016/17 only)

In 2016/17, 42.7 per cent of adults in England had engaged

in music.

Regions where engagement was significantly higher than the

national average:

• East of England – 47.0 per cent

• South East – 48.4 per cent

• South West – 50.4 per cent

Regions where engagement was significantly lower than the

national average:

• North East – 36.7 per cent

All other regions were statistically similar to the national average

Map image created using Datawrapper

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Music attendance

Between 2010/11 and 2016/17 there was no statistically significant change in the proportion of adults who had attended a music

event at least once in the past year – from 35.9 per cent to 37.6 per cent.

Figure 10 – Attended a music event at least once in the past 12 months

33.4%

32.8%34.0%

35.3%

36.8% 35.9%37.3%

36.8%38.5% 38.3%

37.6%37.6%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

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Opera or operetta

In 2010/11 and 2016/17 a similar proportion of adults in England had attended opera – 4.1 per cent and 3.7 per cent

respectively.

Figure 11 – Attended an opera or operetta in the past year

4.4%

3.8%3.9% 4.0%

4.3% 4.1%

3.9%

4.0%

3.9% 3.7%

4.0%

3.7%

0.0%

0.5%

1.0%

1.5%

2.0%

2.5%

3.0%

3.5%

4.0%

4.5%

5.0%

2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

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Classical music

In 2010/11 and 2016/17 the same proportion of adults in England had attended a classical music concert – 7.7 per cent.

Figure 12 – Attended a classical music concert in the past year

8.3%

7.7% 7.6%

8.1%

7.6% 7.7% 7.7%

7.9%

7.1% 7.0% 7.6%7.7%

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

6.0%

7.0%

8.0%

9.0%

2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

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Jazz

In 2010/11 and 2016/17 a similar proportion of adults in England had attended a jazz performance – 5.4 per cent and 5.0 per

cent respectively.

Figure 13 – Attended a jazz performance in the past year

5.6% 5.6%

5.4%

5.7%5.4% 5.4%

5.6%4.9%

5.4%5.2% 5.2%

5.0%

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

6.0%

2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

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Other live music

Between 2010/11 and 2016/17 there was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of adults in England who had

attended another type of live music event – from 28.3 per cent to 31.1 per cent.

Figure 14a – Attended other live music in the past year

24.4%24.9%

26.2%27.4%

30.0%

28.3%29.7%

28.9%

32.0% 31.9%

30.7%

31.1%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

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Participation in Music

Between 2010/11 and 2016/17 there was a statistically similar proportion of adults in England who had participated in music –

from 14.4 per cent to 14.5 per cent.

Figure 15 – Participated in music at least once in the past 12 months

14.6%

13.4%14.0%

12.6%13.6%

14.4%

14.0%

14.3%

13.5%

13.5%

12.9%

14.5%

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

16.0%

2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

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Sang to an audience or rehearsed for a performance

The proportion of adults in England who had sang to an audience or rehearsed in 2010/11 (4.3 per cent) was statistically similar

to the proportion that had done so in 2016/17 (4.2 per cent).

Figure 16 – Sang to an audience or rehearsed for a performance in the past year

4.2%

3.8%

4.0%

3.1%

4.3%

4.3%

3.8%

4.5%

3.9%4.1%

3.7%

4.2%

0.0%

0.5%

1.0%

1.5%

2.0%

2.5%

3.0%

3.5%

4.0%

4.5%

5.0%

2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

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Played a musical instrument to an audience or rehearsed

A similar proportion of adults had played a musical instrument for an audience or rehearsed for a performance in 2010/11 and

2016/17 – 3.6 per cent at both data points.

Figure 17 – Played a musical instrument for an audience or rehearsed for a performance in the past year

3.4%3.2%

3.4% 3.3%3.2%

3.6%

3.1%

3.6%

3.2% 3.2%

3.1%

3.6%

0.0%

0.5%

1.0%

1.5%

2.0%

2.5%

3.0%

3.5%

4.0%

2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

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Played a musical for own pleasure

Between 2010/11 and 2016/17 there was a statistically similar proportion of adults in England who had played a musical

instrument for their own pleasure – from 11.4 per cent to 11.7 per cent.

Figure 18 – Played a musical instrument for own pleasure in the past year

11.5%10.6%

11.1%10.4% 10.6%

11.4% 11.0%

11.1%10.6% 10.7%

10.1%

11.7%

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

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Written music

Between 2010/11 and 2016/17 a similar proportion of adults in England had written music – 2.4 per cent to 2.9 per cent.

Figure 19 – Written music in the past year

2.6%2.7%

2.6%

2.4%

3.1%

2.4%

2.6%

2.5% 2.6%

2.3%

2.1%

2.9%

0.0%

0.5%

1.0%

1.5%

2.0%

2.5%

3.0%

3.5%

2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

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Appendix A - About the Taking Part survey

Taking Part is a major, continuous survey of cultural and sport participation in England, commissioned by the Department for

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in partnership with Arts Council England, Sport England and Historic England.

Every year it collects detailed information from adults (aged 16 and over) in England about their attendance at a wide variety of

arts events, museums, galleries, libraries and heritage sites, and about their participation in creative activities and sport in the

last 12 months. The survey has been conducted since July 2005 and since 2008 there has also been a child survey.

Findings from Taking Part, including national trends and some regional analysis, are released twice a year by the Department

for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. An annual report summarises trends over the financial year. All these reports can be

found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-culture-media-sport/series/taking-part

In March 2016 DCMS published a strategy outlining proposed developments to the Taking Part survey over the next five years:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/taking-part-a-strategy-for-the-next-five-years

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Appendix B - Technical note

Arts Engagement ‘Engagement’ in the arts is calculated by looking at attendance and/or participation in a range of arts events and activities. Adult ‘engagement’ is calculated by the proportion of adults who engage in the arts at least once in the past 12 months, whether it is through attending arts events, participating in arts activities, or through a mixture of both. This includes any of the following activities or events:

Activities Events Dancing – ballet or other music (not for fitness) Visual arts exhibition (e.g. paintings, photography or sculpture) Singing – live performance, rehearsal or practice (not karaoke) Craft exhibition (not crafts market) Playing a musical instrument – live performance, rehearsal, practice or playing for own pleasure

Event that includes video or digital art

Writing music Event connected with books or writing

Theatre – live performance, rehearsal or practice Street arts (art in everyday surroundings such as parks, streets or shopping centre)

Opera or musical theatre - live performance, rehearsal or practice Public arts display or installation (an artwork such as a sculpture which is outdoors or in a public place)

Carnival (e.g. as a musician, music or costume maker) Circus (not animals) Street arts (art in everyday surrounding such as parks, streets, shopping centre)

Carnival

Circus skills (not animals) – performance, learning or practice Culturally specific festival (e.g. Mela, Baisakhi, Navratri) Visual arts (e.g. painting, drawing, printmaking or sculpture) Theatre (e.g. play, drama, pantomime) Photography (as an artistic activity, not family or holiday snaps) Opera or musical theatre Film or video – making as an artistic activity (not family or holidays)

Live performances (e.g. classical, jazz or other live musical event but not karaoke)

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Digital art – producing original digital artwork or animation with a computer

Live music event (e.g. ballet, African People’s music, South Asian, Chinese, Contemporary or other live music event).

Craft – any craft activity (e.g. textiles, wood, mental work, pottery, calligraphy)

Creative writing – original literature (e.g. stories, poems or plays) Creative writing – original literature (e.g. stories, poems or plays) Book club – being a member of one

Data conventions

The figures in this report are rounded to the nearest decimal place – therefore the totals may not always add up to 100 per cent.

Statistically significant differences on the charts:

indicates a statistically significant difference between 2016/17 and the earliest survey year shown.

indicates the period in which statistical significance has been tested. In this report, significance testing has been applied

between 2010/11 and 2016/17.

*

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Statistical significance

Significance testing has been used to identify where differences are statistically significant at the 95 per cent level and not due to

chance. Only where the differences are significant are they noted in the text and on the charts. A significant increase or decrease

at the 95 per cent level means that there is less than a 5 per cent (1 in 20) chance that the difference observed within the

sampled respondents is not representative of the population as a whole.

Weighting The data are weighted to ensure the representativeness of the Taking Part sample. Weighting is based on mid-2016 population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.