Health in the Winds: Wind Band Participation as a Health Promoting Activity for Older Men

Abstract

Using a basic interpretive qualitative research design, this study explores adult musicians’ reflections of participation in wind band as a health promoting activity. Five male participants between the ages of 58 and 76 participated in semi-structured interviews and provided basic demographic information. Data were analyzed thematically and findings represented evocatively. Elements of a wind ensemble were used as a metaphor to provide a rich way of presenting the data as fundamentally tied to the specific act of making music in a wind ensemble. The three main components of the metaphor and the main themes they present are: Instrumentation: Defining Roles (Purpose), Sound: Making Meaning (Physical and Emotional Well-being), and Performance: Extending Self (Challenge, Accomplishment and Connection). The current findings contribute to furthering knowledge and research in the area of music making and health, especially wind ensemble playing participation and healthy aging. Implications for both practice and future research are identified.