Exploring psychological wellbeing in community orchestra players

Abstract

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