Research and data
Statistics on leisure-time music, relevant research and evidence
Find out what statistics Making Music has on its members and what data there is on leisure-time music groups more generally, in the UK and elsewhere.
This evidence bank also collects research relevant to leisure-time music groups, to show the value of these groups and the benefits for individuals and communities.
Please email us with any new or missing reports.
Making Music statistics
Every few years, we survey our members on the operation of their groups. The data we collect paints a vivid picture of our membership and leisure-time music groups across the UK, and is incredibly useful to illustrate the environment groups are operating in, their challenges and successes. The data is broken down into a series of reports:
- Income
- Expenditure
- Development
- Members
- Venues
- Events and audiences
The Evidence Bank
Whether you're applying for funding, designing a new project, campaigning or just want to tell your stakeholders why your group is so valuable, having evidence of your impact helps make a strong case. We've brought together a range of reports, research and further reading that provide evidence of the wide-ranging benefits to individuals and communities) of music and leisure-time musical activity.
Making Music: INCLUDE
From 2023 – 2025, Making Music ran a research project with four of our member groups called INCLUDE. We explored what leisure-time music groups could do to include a wider diversity of people in their activities and what Making Music could do better to support them. The resources we created from this research will support any music group to take action and build inclusion and diversity in their own groups. Read about the project and explore the suite of resources here:
INCLUDE resources
Articles and webinars on relevant research
We provide support, resources and a community for leisure-time music groups across the UK.