This project evaluates how participation in music activities can foster personal growth, self-efficacy and purpose among older adults. Using a novel hybrid theoretical framework, it has generated new knowledge about what how older participants experience music making; whether music making has transformative effects and what practices support transformation. Some findings from the research project have been published as journal articles and a book will be published in 2027.
The project has identified some of the key elements that music activities should have for accessibility and to enable transformation. Expected outcomes include a model for transformative music activities, and resources to design them (two articles under review, 2026). Co-design workshops within a community and researcher symposium in 2022 identified some barriers (published 2023). More details of enablers from this research project will be published as an article in 2027.
The project worked on an online, interactive map to improve and widen access to music groups and make them more widely accessible to our ageing population .
The map delivers key information about the availability of music activities and learning across Australia through an interactive and accessible map, with pop-up boxes holding key information, which can be found Here
Here are some of the publications from the research:
English, H., & Corderoy, A. (2025). Music groups and connectivity: Older adults’ perceptions of socialising through community music. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 44(2), e70057-n/a. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.70057
English, H., Lewis, S., Davidson, J., & Goodwin, N. (2025). Transformative engagement with community music-making for older adults: A scoping review. Musicae Scientiae, 29(2), 217–239.
English, H & Jackson, M. (2025): Mapping Music Activities in Australia for Older Adults: The Affordances of the Time-Layered Cultural Map, Musicology Australia.
English, H., Kelly, M., Dingle, G., Karayanidis, F., Davidson, J.W. (2023). Widening participation in creative activities for older adults: A report on a symposium held in Australia. Voices, 23.
