MUSICAL ACTIVITIES IN THE THIRD AGE: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY WITH AMATEUR MUSICIANS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore a) the musical and social background of members of seniors’ amateur ensembles, b) the functions and rewards of making music in seniors’ amateur ensembles, and c) age-related restrictions of musical activities and coping strategies with these restrictions. A total of 550 questionnaires were mailed to 46 seniors’ ensembles in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, 308 valid questionnaires were returned and evaluated. The age of respondents ranged from 40 to 97 years, the mean was 71 years (s = 7.89). About one third (38.4%) were women. A proportion of 44% had an academic degree. The vast majority (90%) had no professional education as musician. A majority of 80% started to play an instrument in the first 20 years of their lives. 70% of the respondents grew up with their mother and/or father playing an instrument. The paramount reward of making music is an increase in enjoyment of life, quality of life, and happiness, and furthermore the establishment of social contacts, a sense of community, and challenges. Other very important functions are relaxation, the expression of feelings and giving a sense to life. Half of the respondents (52%) reported age-related restrictions in making music. Several coping strategies were mentioned to cope with these problems. Implications of these findings are discussed in the following.