Update Applications of Research in Music Education· 2026Q1
Music as Leisure: A Literature Review of Music Education Across the Lifespan
- 0citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Music education research can bridge the gap between adolescent and adult musical activity by incorporating insights from leisure studies, focusing on motivation, health, and well-being.
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Key points
- A significant "exit point" exists for musical activity between adolescence and adulthood.
- Adult music participation research emphasizes motivation, health, and wellness.
- Participation factors for K12 students and adults are numerous and individually variable.
- Leisure studies offer insights into identity continuity, social belonging, and well-being relevant to music education.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
The field of leisure and recreation studies contributes to music education in understanding music-making from youth to older adulthood. This literature review combines these research areas, together indicating there is a barrier between elective activities during adolescence to that of adulthood which represents an “exit point” for the continuation of musical activity. The purpose of this literature review is to bridge the research in music education to leisure and recreation studies to inform the topic of music education across the lifespan. We documented a focus on motivation, health, and wellness among music and leisure literature for adults while noting that participation factors for K12 students and for adults are numerous and with variability between individuals. We recommend an emphasis on lifelong cultural and relational practice building on previous musical experiences across the lifespan. Music education research can be informed by leisure studies on identity continuity, social belonging, and well-being.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Update Applications of Research in Music Education, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Music
MusicArts and Humanities