TIMES are hard for professional musicians. With almost no live work for over a year, many are in dire financial straits. Figures released by the Musicians’ Union revealed that as many as 1 in 3 musicians are considering leaving the industry, with 47 per cent having already taken jobs outside the music industry. Events were brought to a head recently when a country house in Northamptonshire appeared to ask “competent” musicians to work for free. In the since-deleted post, Lamport Hall asked musicians who might be “rusty after lockdown” to perform for free as part of a ticketed event. “We are looking for competent musicians to perform as background music at The Walled Garden Feast,” the post read. “All styles of music considered and a picnic hamper will be provided to all performers.”