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The findings by the charity Help Musicians echo the Daily Express Strike A Chord campaign, highlighting the desperate need to overhaul music education. It comes as the number of pupils studying the subject plummet.

Nearly half of professional musicians believe they will be forced to leave the industry in the near future, according to the charity.

They blame the “brutal” impact of the cost-of-living crisis and Covid for decimating the industry.

Meanwhile, many issues over touring and selling products to the continent in the aftermath of Brexit remain unresolved.

Help Musicians’ research has found music is especially important to younger generations.

Eighty-three percent of those aged 18-24 said they could not live without it. And two-thirds listen every day.

Although we listen to songs primarily for enjoyment, the survey also discovered that music played a vital role in welfare.

More than six in 10 – 63 per cent – said music helped relaxation, 34 percent cited health and well-being and 29 percent said it gave them energy and motivation.

Music is also a powerful way of bringing people together and creating memories, which is especially relevant at Christmas.

More than half told the charity it helped them feel connected to others, whether friends or families or even strangers.

People also said it can break down barriers between people of different cultural backgrounds.

Chief executive of Help Musicians, James Ainscough, said, “Music has a power that we must not underestimate. It is a force that brings people together and is intertwined with their very identities.

“In recent years, we have all become even more conscious of how music calms our souls, lifts our spirits and binds together communities.

“How ironic then, that musicians themselves are facing the most brutal conditions seen for decades.”

The charity chief warned: “Musicians need a broad range of support to help them navigate the financial, career-building and mental health challenges they currently face.

“The entire country will be poorer if we lose talented musicians from the profession.

“We want to continue enjoying their music in a thriving music eco-system.”

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