Ageing and the orchestra : self-efficacy and engagement in community music-making

This study examines the relationship between age, self-efficacy and intellectual, emotional and social engagement in a group of orchestral players who are a mixture of professional and amateur musicians. Using a concurrent triangulation design, quantitative survey data from 23 orchestral players is cross-validated with qualitative interview data from three of these respondents. Results confirm that intellectual stimulation is high for these orchestral players and is a balance between perceived challenge, effort and reward of the musical tasks. In this particular orchestra, it appears that emotional engagement increases with age for amateur players, yet decreases with age for professionals, which may be due to increasing pressures. Although social engagement is high, with players reporting feeling connected as a group whilst making music, new personal connections may be difficult to forge.