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Almost 239,000 pop and classical recordings were available on the German music market in 2022, 73 % of which were audio albums in the pop segment. About 14,500 titles were new releases.

National productions continue to make up a large part of the German longplay charts. International productions are becoming more popular again.

Public music schools had approximately 1.4 million pupils in the calendar year 2021. Particularly in the younger age groups, pupil numbers declined in the pandemic years.

Most of the cooperation partners of public music schools are schools and kindergartens. In addition, local music groups, churches and retirement homes are networked with public music schools.

Germany's states differ in the number of weekly hours they allot to music lessons. Music can be a mandatory or compulsory elective subject under its own name, or a component of larger learning areas.

Music is anchored in the curricula of Germany's states in almost all grades 5 to 10. However, there are differences in the quantity of music lessons to be taught.

Music communication is a broad field of activity. It includes concerts and introductions, interactive formats and media communication forms such as radio features and apps.

In addition to school, many children and teenagers would like to learn an instrument or make music in an ensemble. There is a wide range of opportunities for this.

Music on the radio plays a central role in everyday life for most Germans. They can benefit from the versatile service of the public broadcasters as well as from private offerings.

Music education promotes creative design processes and unlocks spaces for musical and aesthetic experiences. However, for many years, Germany has lacked trained specialist teachers.

In 2022, music programmes accounted for 63% of the total programme of the state-level broadcasters. The airtime for classical music recently dropped.

Millions of people attend music theatre performances in Germany every year. Half of the over 11,000 events are opera performances, followed by dance, musicals and operettas.

Germany’s jazz scene has an extremely wide range of styles and institutions. With its players and artistic results, the scene can present itself with confidence.

Making music holds a lot of potential for the individual development of people in prison. U.S. music pedagogue Mary Cohen has been conducting research on this topic for more than 15 years.

All income sources totalled, the average monthly net income of professional musicians is 2,660 euros. 70% are not exclusively working as artists. Freelancers and women earn below-average.

Against the background of the war in Ukraine, Michael Custodis reflects on the political content and politicisation of music.