This study concerns the idea that musical involvement contributes to a person’s overall wellbeing. This research aimed to explore wellbeing among members of a community orchestra using the PERMA (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment) model as a framework and a lens through which to understand wellbeing experiences.
The idea that musical involvement contributes to a person’s overall wellbeing has been
widely suggested by various authors. However, the extent to which this is a reality does not
seem to have been sufficiently studied. This research aimed to explore wellbeing among
members of a community orchestra using the PERMA (positive emotions, engagement,
relationships, meaning and accomplishment) model as a framework and a lens through
which to understand wellbeing experiences.
The research project was a qualitative study, using a case-study design. Research
participants consisted of ten community orchestra musicians in Gauteng, South Africa. Each
member was interviewed by means of semi-structured, in-depth interviews, probing their
reported experiences that related to wellbeing. The questions were inspired by, and based
on, the elements: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and
accomplishment.
The results reveal reasons underlying members’ commitment to a community orchestra and
particular objectives they establish for themselves. Participants are physically influenced by
their involvement, as their wellbeing is enhanced throughout the process. Important
relationships are experienced by the orchestra participants and these strengthen to become
more meaningful. There are different leadership roles and responsibilities that are essential
to the organisation of the community orchestra, which creates a sense of belonging for
those who choose to be involved.
Members of a community orchestra are motivated by opportunities that foster autonomy
and closeness to others. These experiences support participants’ natural tendencies
towards psychological and interpersonal integration, revealing the relevance of selfdetermination
theory in this study. The orchestra plays an important role in virtuousness
and the progress participants make throughout their involvement has great value to them
personally. The experience of playing music in a group is meaningful beyond the individual,
therefore contributing to an experience of wellbeing.
In conclusion, the research reveals that participants experience psychological wellbeing in a
community orchestra. This study is the first of its kind in South Africa to investigate this
