Music

Fewer than one per cent of the dance music played on UK radio is made by a female solo artist or all-female band, a study has found.

The research, which looked at music played in 2020 and 2021, was conducted by the Jaguar Foundation, established by BBC Radio 1 DJ Jaguar Bingham.

The study found that women are also under-represented in the dance music charts, accounting for just five per cent of hits.

Bingham said she was "disappointed and saddened" by the findings, adding that the lack of female dance producers is "systemic", with many women discouraged from pursuing a career in music at an early age.

"If I think about when I was at school, boys were always encouraged to do more technical things like music production," she said.

"As a result, there are more men in that field, so they managed to take over the scene and become the majority. So anyone who isn't [a man] maybe feels shunned, doesn't feel comfortable or doesn't feel welcome."

The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has proposed not to refer the music streaming market to full investigation after a market study found that it is working well for consumers.

The office launched its study into the streaming market and the power of labels six months ago, following a DCMS Committee report that called for fundamental reforms.

The study aimed to investigate the streaming market “from creator to consumer” and to consider whether the dominance of major labels is stifling competition or leading to instances of “excessive power”.

“Our initial analysis shows that the outcomes for artists are not driven by issues to do with competition, such as sustained excessive profits,” said Sarah Cardell, Interim Chief Executive of the CMA. 

“We are now keen to hear views on our initial findings which will help guide our thinking and inform our final report.”

The Musicians' Union and The Ivors Academy have expressed disappointment at the CMA's decision. They say major labels' dominace, the supression of the value of music publishing and stagnant pricing remain issues in music streaming.

“The CMA's release highlights what it sees as positive impacts of music streaming, but we feel they have failed to recognise the very serious problems posed to creators," MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl added.

“In the long term, this could diminish the diversity of British music available to consumers as musicians are forced to seek other ways to make a living.”

“We had particularly hoped that the CMA would deliver for songwriters who are currently receiving a small share of streaming revenue.”

The CMA will share its findings with DCMS, the IPO and the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation to help support their research into whether artists’ rights can be strengthened in the music streaming market.

A final decision is due to be taken by the CMA early next year.

PRS Foundation has announced the re-opening of its Resonate initiative, inviting UK orchestras to programme and perform the best British orchestral works of the last 25 years.

The initiative is a partnership between PRS Foundation, the Association of British Orchestras and broadcast partner BBC Radio 3.

Grants of up to £10,000 are on offer to orchestras that want to rehearse, programme, tour or promote a piece of music from the Resonate database, which includes works commissioned by UK orchestras in the past 25 years.

“Having repeat performances of new orchestral works is an important part of creating and establishing the classics of the future,” said Joe Frankland, CEO of PRS Foundation. 

“Orchestras can apply to programme, perform and promote fantastic contemporary orchestral pieces - many of which have not received the exposure they deserve.”

Mark Pemberton, Chief Executive at the Association of British Orchestras, said that the Resonate initiative has “helped forge a step-change in our members’ commitment to performing previously commissioned works. It has also helped the many composers whose works have been heard once again by the public”.

Support will be given to “orchestras who can demonstrate a commitment to presenting high quality contemporary UK repertoire which they will promote with the Resonate brand as part of a season, tour and longer-term audience development programme”.

The deadline to submit an application is October 3. 

UK Music has launched the latest edition of its UK Music Workforce Diversity Survey.

First launched in 2016, the biannual survey aims to give the industry, government and other stakeholders an insight into what improvements are needed regarding diversity and inclusion.

The survey focuses on those who work behind the scenes in the industry and is requesting responses from music businesses including studios, management agencies, music publishers, major and independent record labels, music licensing companies and the live music sector.

Results will form part of a diversity report, due to be published later this year.

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) have announced the launch of the Cardiff NOYO Centre, a pioneering inclusive ensemble to allow talented young disabled and non-disabled musicians to rehearse and perform together.

The partnership offers the first progression route for talented young disabled musicians in the region. It aims to reduce musical exclusion and develop skills while increasing sector support.

NOYO is the world's first disabled-led national youth ensemble open to both young disabled and non-disabled musicians. The project aims to lay the foundations for a more diverse orchestral sector.

“Musical talent and potential are everywhere, but opportunities for young disabled people to progress in music are not,” said Barry Farrimond-Chuong MBE, CEO of Open Up Music, the charity behind NOYO. 

“We are extremely excited to be working with Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and BBC National Orchestra of Wales to expand the National Open Youth Orchestra and open up music to more young disabled musicians.”

Instruments played by NOYO musicians include the LinnStrument, Seaboard RISE and Clarion, an accessible instrument that can be played with any movement of the body, including the eyes. 

The centre will begin taking applications for auditions from disabled and non-disabled musicians aged 11 to 25 in March next year, with rehearsals due to begin in September 2023. Participation will be free and will include monthly rehearsals and one-to-one tuition.

“There aren’t other youth orchestras who are as passionate about showing disabled people can play on the same stages as non-disabled people,” said NOYO harpist Holli Pandit.

“Lots of the music we play, you wouldn't really get that in a stereotypical classical music concert – you wouldn’t have the instruments! We believe that it's best if disabled and non-disabled musicians can integrate together, and then we can come up with fresh new ideas and be more creative.” 
 

The Music Producers Guild (MPG) is asking music industry professionals to complete a survey on misogyny in music.

The survey results will form part of MPG’s submission of evidence to the Women and Equalities Select Committee, a group of cross-party MPs who are running an enquiry on misogyny in the industry.

The groups say it needs as many people as possible to fill the survey in. Responses are anonymous, although participants are asked to clarify whether or not they identify as a woman.

The survey is open until Friday (15 July).

A new £4.1m creative hub for young musicians and dancers has opened as part of efforts to support diverse talent.

The Talent House, based in Stratford, will house both East London Dance and national youth music organisation UD, providing young music and dance professionals free and affordable access to world class facilities as a launchpad to reach new audiences.

It is hoped the venue, paid for with initial funding from Arts Council England and the Greater London Authority, will attract more than 12,000 people every year with an "inspirational" public programme, co-curated with young people, artists and local residents.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who opened the hub, said: “London’s music and dance scene is thriving, but these companies need a home to nurture and support talent, so I’m proud to have invested in this state of the art facility, which will not only be a springboard for creatives and performers in Newham and across the city, but help to cement London as the creative capital of the world. 

"Investment like this is essential for our city’s recovery and a key part of building a better London for everyone.”

DCMS, the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care have jointly announced new music and sport initiatives to support children’s development. 

More than £100m will be used to increase opportunities across the country for children to study music and learn instruments.

Capital funding worth £25m will be given to schools to purchase an estimated 200,000 new musical instruments, including adapted instruments for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

Schools will also be asked to offer at least one hour of music teaching a week in the curriculum for key stages 1-3 as part of the launch of a new National Plan for Music Education, with £79 million made available every year until 2025 for the Music Hubs programme.

The plan also includes providing teachers and young people with guidance on how to progress a career in music.

“Music can transform lives – so it is vital that music education does not become the preserve of a privileged few and is available to everyone, regardless of their background,” said Chief Executive of UK Music Jamie Njoku-Goodwin.

“Continued investment in music education is vital if we want to unlock the huge creative potential of young people and level up opportunities across the country.”

Additional initiatives in the National Plan for Music Education include steps to further develop instrument and music teaching, a pilot to improve music progression in disadvantaged areas and the roll-out of an inclusion strategy in every music hub area.