Three quarters of students studying for their exams this year are listening to orchestral music to help them revise, according to new research from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
The research of more than 250 students currently preparing for their exams found 75% of them said orchestral music was playing a role in helping them to revise.
At a time when studies have shown orchestral music to boost mental energy and improve cognitive function[1], change a mood to make you feel happier[2], or aid sleep and motivation[3], the research suggests students are heeding the advice, and taking advantage of the benefits for their own success.
The results showed that students in London (81%) and the North East (77%) were the most likely to listen to orchestral music while revising for summer exams - while students in Wales (68%) and the West Midlands (68%) were among the least.
Of the different genres of orchestral music that students were listening to, film soundtracks featured at the top of the playlist. Of those who listened to music while studying, 44% said the likes of Hans Zimmer and John Williams were seeing them through their revision.
Symphonies/concertos were the next most popular choice, with 35% saying this was their go-to listening choice, particularly among students in the South West (41%) and Wales (41%) who were among the most likely to have this on in the background.
Orchestral music from musicals (23%) and video games (32%) also proved to be popular among students.
Today’s students more likely to listen to orchestral music:
The research also found that today’s students are more likely to be turning to orchestral music than was the case in years gone by. Asking a nationally representative sample of 2,063 people about whether they listened to orchestral music when they were studying, older people were significantly less likely to than today’s generation. Among people who were studying in the 90s and early 2000s, 73% said orchestral music featured as part of their revision period, dropping off to 68% among people studying in the 80s and before.
Separate research by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra found that four in five people aged under 25 said they relied on music during lockdown in 2021 to evoke calmness and well-being in their lives, while 88% said it inspired them and lifted their spirits[4].
James Williams, Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: “Young people sitting exams in the next few weeks have had one of the toughest lead ups of any generation, with the disruption that COVID-19 caused adding layers of anxiety. We all know the tremendous benefits and power that listening to music can have over both thoughts and emotions, with endless studies showing the positive effects music can have to help during a period of intense study. It is hugely positive that young people are taking advantage of these benefits to give themselves the best chance of doing well.
“More importantly, these results give a sense of the value placed on orchestral music as a part of their day-to-day lives. We saw in lockdown – another stressful time for many – how young people in particular relied on orchestral music for their wellbeing, relaxation and happiness. The support music can offer during tough times forges a relationship for the long term.”
|
|
Students Today |
Studying in 2000s |
Studying in 1990s |
Studying in 1980s |
Studying in 70s |
|
Film soundtracks |
33% |
38% |
42% |
26% |
21% |
|
Symphonies/concertos |
26% |
24% |
26% |
29% |
24% |
|
Musicals |
25% |
24% |
23% |
20% |
19% |
|
Video game soundtracks |
24% |
13% |
7% |
3% |
2% |
|
Opera |
9% |
10% |
8% |
8% |
6% |
|
Orchestral Pop |
6% |
12% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
|
Ballet |
6% |
8% |
7% |
8% |
7% |
|
Chamber music |
2% |
7% |
9% |
9% |
8% |
|
N/A - I wouldn't ever listen to classical/orchestral music while studying |
25% |
27% |
27% |
30% |
32% |
Media enquiries:
More information or to arrange interviews contact:
Guy Bellamy / Jim Follett - elephant communications
Tel: 07766 775216 or 07908 551571
For more information on forthcoming RPO concerts and the new 2023/4 season visit:
Notes to editors
The research was conducted by Sego Research among a nat rep sample of 2,063 adults in April 2023. The survey was conducted online.
[1] Riby, 2013: https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1027/1618-3169/a000166
[2] Logeswaran et al. (2009) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304394009003279?via%3Dihub
[3] Trahan et al., (2018) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0206531
[4] From Restrictions to Recovery: Public engagement with orchestral music during a critical year (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, 2022)