Learning to play an instrument and perform in a group may offer many benefits.
Research has confirmed that actively putting music in your life improves mental health, lowers blood pressure, exercises the brain, and provides a sense of satisfaction and well-being.
It can also be a transforming experience as new friendships are formed with fellow musicians. As Harlene Arnett, a member of the Peterborough New Horizons Band in Canada said, “... the best thing is I've found a whole new family of genuine caring friends.” Many members find that participating in New Horizons musical weekly activities is an important part of their daily lives; in many instances, the camaraderie and team work help members cope with the loss of a loved one.
Research has confirmed that actively putting music in your life improves mental health, lowers blood pressure, exercises the brain, and provides a sense of satisfaction and well-being.
It can also be a transforming experience as new friendships are formed with fellow musicians. As Harlene Arnett, a member of the Peterborough New Horizons Band in Canada said, “... the best thing is I've found a whole new family of genuine caring friends.” Many members find that participating in New Horizons musical weekly activities is an important part of their daily lives; in many instances, the camaraderie and team work help members cope with the loss of a loved one.
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Some references...
▫ Chafin,
S., Roy, M., Gerin, W., & Christenfeld, N. (2004). Music can facilitate blood pressure recovery
from stress. British Journal of Health Psychology, 9(3), 393–403.
▫ Coffman, D. D. (2002). Music and quality of life in older adults. Psychomusicology, 18, 76-88.
▫ Cohen, G. D., Perlstein, S., Chapline, J., Kelly, J., Firth, K. M., & Simmens, S. (2006) The Impact of Professionally Conducted Cultural Programs on the Physical Health, Mental Health, and Social Functioning of Older Adults. The Gerontologist, 46(6), 726-734.
▫ Creech, A., Hallam, S., Varvarigou, M., & Gaunt, H. (2013a). Active music making: A route to enhanced subjective well-being amongst older people. Perspectives in Public Health (Special Edition), 133(1), 36-43.
▫ Hallam et al. (2010) Music for Life Project: The role of participation in community music activities in promoting social engagement and well-being in older people. New Dynamics of Aging, a cross-council research programme, 9, 1-8.
▫ Knight, W. E. J., & Rickard, N. S. (2001). Relaxing music prevents stress-induced increases in subjective anxiety, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate in healthy males and females. Journal of Music Therapy, 38(4), 254-272.
▫ Solé, C., Mercadal-Brotons, M., Gallego, S., & Riera, M. (2010). Contributions of Music to Aging Adults’ Quality of Life. Journal of Music Therapy, 47(3), 264-281.
▫ Varvarigou, M., Creech, A., Hallam, S., & McQueen, H. (2011). Bringing different generations together in music-making: An intergenerational music project in East London. International Journal of Community Music, 4(3), 207-220.
▫ Varvarigou, M., Hallam, S., Creech, A., & McQueen, H. (2012). Benefits experienced by older people who participated in group music-making activities. Journal of Applied Arts and Health, 3(2), 183-198.WHOQOL Group, 1998
▫ Coffman, D. D. (2002). Music and quality of life in older adults. Psychomusicology, 18, 76-88.
▫ Cohen, G. D., Perlstein, S., Chapline, J., Kelly, J., Firth, K. M., & Simmens, S. (2006) The Impact of Professionally Conducted Cultural Programs on the Physical Health, Mental Health, and Social Functioning of Older Adults. The Gerontologist, 46(6), 726-734.
▫ Creech, A., Hallam, S., Varvarigou, M., & Gaunt, H. (2013a). Active music making: A route to enhanced subjective well-being amongst older people. Perspectives in Public Health (Special Edition), 133(1), 36-43.
▫ Hallam et al. (2010) Music for Life Project: The role of participation in community music activities in promoting social engagement and well-being in older people. New Dynamics of Aging, a cross-council research programme, 9, 1-8.
▫ Knight, W. E. J., & Rickard, N. S. (2001). Relaxing music prevents stress-induced increases in subjective anxiety, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate in healthy males and females. Journal of Music Therapy, 38(4), 254-272.
▫ Solé, C., Mercadal-Brotons, M., Gallego, S., & Riera, M. (2010). Contributions of Music to Aging Adults’ Quality of Life. Journal of Music Therapy, 47(3), 264-281.
▫ Varvarigou, M., Creech, A., Hallam, S., & McQueen, H. (2011). Bringing different generations together in music-making: An intergenerational music project in East London. International Journal of Community Music, 4(3), 207-220.
▫ Varvarigou, M., Hallam, S., Creech, A., & McQueen, H. (2012). Benefits experienced by older people who participated in group music-making activities. Journal of Applied Arts and Health, 3(2), 183-198.WHOQOL Group, 1998