Düsseldorf (dpa/lnw) – Declining incomes, concert cancellations and an uncertain future: The consequences of the Corona crisis are still affecting freelance musicians economically and psychologically. This emerges from an online survey by the State Music Council of North Rhine-Westphalia published on Tuesday. 235 respondents took part in January and February. Even if the situation seems to have relaxed to some extent in the meantime, “the feeling of great insecurity and uncertainty remains for the freelance musicians,” according to the State Music Council. Planning security and stable economic conditions are a long way off for many.
The average monthly income in the music division fell to EUR 1,611 (2020: EUR 2,028). If you include other income, then the monthly income of freelance musicians and music teachers has fallen to 2135 euros (2020: 2492 euros). 64 percent of those surveyed applied for state aid during the crisis.
Nevertheless, satisfaction with the chosen music profession remains remarkably high. 69 percent would choose it again. As with the first survey in 2020, the social and psychological consequences of the Corona crisis are described as stressful and articulated in terms such as “loneliness” and “lack of prospects”.
