Spending their leisure time: adult amateur musicians in a community band

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to explore how a group of adult amateur musicians devoted their leisure time to music making in a community band. Theoretical framework for the study was serious leisure theory, and the following research questions guided this investigation: (1) Why did these participants commit their leisure time to a community band? (2) How did their social interactions contribute to their desire to spend their leisure time music making in a community band? Interviews and observations during one eight-month concert season provided data and two themes developed during data analysis: making the commitment and camaraderie. Findings indicated that participants spent their leisure time with this community band for the elevated performance level of the ensemble, repertoire, and their engagement with social interactions. Implications for music educators include accommodating non-musical social interactions with a desire for performance excellence to encourage students to continue making music as adults.

KEYWORDS:

• Leisure
• music making
• adult amateur musicians
• social interactions

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.