The uptake of music at A-level is continuing to decline, with a 47% drop in entries since 2008.
Music unions are continuing to campaign against the subject's decline, with ISM saying it is "a worrying trend over the last 12 years that shows no signs of abating".
Data from the Joint Council for Qualifications shows music study falling as the decline in all creative A-levels accelerates.
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However, more music students gained top grades this year compared to all A-level subjects: 35% received 'A' or 'A*' grades in music compared to 28% for all subjects.
A-level results have been the topic of controversy and outrage in recent days after Ofsted said it would use an alogrithm to determine results for students who did not sit exams this year because of the lockdown.
The alogrithm, based in part on the previous A-level results of a students' school, resulted in 40% of students receiving lower grades than those given by their teachers.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson on Monday reversed this decision, saying results would now be based on teachers' grades unless the algorithm's ones were higher.
ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts said the grades published last week "must be a fair reflection of [students'] ability and hard work."