MUSICIANS have lost an estimated £13.9 million in earnings due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Musicians Union (MU) revealed yesterday.

A poll commissioned by the union suggested that nine in 10 of those working in the British music industry have been affected,, with job opportunities down by 69 per cent on this time last year.

Musicians working in live performance have reported the greatest loss of earnings, with teaching and orchestral work also affected by social distancing and school closures.

The MU surveyed 4,100 of its members between Wednesday and Friday last week.

In response, the union has launched a coronavirus hardship fund, offering £200 grants to those facing financial difficulty due to the pandemic.

MU general secretary Horace Trubridge said: ”Music is one of the few certainties we can rely on to provide happiness and relief in tumultuous times.

“But musicians, whether they work in theatre, teaching, orchestras, gig-playing, will feel the full financial force of this global disaster.

“Already, we have seen job opportunities drop by more than two-thirds and sadly this will only accelerate.”