Music as Leisure: A Literature Review of Music Education Across the Lifespan

The field of leisure and recreation studies contributes to music education in understanding music-making from youth to older adulthood. This literature review combines these research areas, together indicating there is a barrier between elective activities during adolescence to that of adulthood which represents an “exit point” for the continuation of musical activity. The purpose of this literature review is to bridge the research in music education to leisure and recreation studies to inform the topic of music education across the lifespan. We documented a focus on motivation, health, and wellness among music and leisure literature for adults while noting that participation factors for K12 students and for adults are numerous and with variability between individuals. We recommend an emphasis on lifelong cultural and relational practice building on previous musical experiences across the lifespan. Music education research can be informed by leisure studies on identity continuity, social belonging, and well-being.