Musical activity across the lifespan as it contributes to quality of life

As the baby-boomer generation ages, attention to maintaining quality of life is receiving renewed attention. Involvement in social activity, including the performing arts, is increasingly seen as offering opportunities for meaningful social engagement as well as promoting physical and emotional health. This article examines the role of musical activity for older adults in a small town in Ohio, exploring what musicians value about their musical activities and how they believe their involvement in music contributes to their quality of life. Respondents affirm that music confers benefits of enjoyment, intellectual and physical stimulation, and meaningful engagement in their community. These findings are consistent with factors previously identified as essential to the quality of life of older individuals, and are strengthened by their similarity to an earlier, much larger study of benefits perceived by older musicians participating in New Horizons ensembles.