Community
A community is a group of people with things in common. This could be where they live, aspirations, hobbies, personality traits, beliefs and more. Some examples of communities can be workplace communities, the vegan community, religious groups, the LGBTQ+ community, neighbourhood communities, school communities or even just a group of friends.
Community Music
Having music present in communities is seen everywhere, all over the world. It can be seen in prisons, retirement homes, youth groups, schools, refugee groups, homeless communities and more. The main premise of having music in communities is to give everyone involved a sense of inclusion, creativity and motivation. It is led by a professional musician who is willing to listen and work with people that may not have much musical understanding.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is a way of creating change in a person or group through music. Playing, creating and working with instruments is a great way to make a positive change in someone’s life, as it can improve creativity, communication skills, emotional wellbeing and confidence. A music therapist will develop a great relationship with the client, making the sessions feel relaxed and enjoyable.
Why is Music Community Important?
Community music has many different physical and mental benefits to everyone who participates. Here are some ways that music has an effect on people and communities.
| Helps interaction with blind people as they use hearing as a major sense in their daily life. |
| Improves communications between people with speech impediments, such as stroke victims or people with stutters. |
| Motivates, lifts mood and gives a sense of meaning to people with mental health problems, for example, depression. |
| Helps people with autism regulate their emotions or feelings through music. |
| Improves homeless people’s quality of life and helps them integrate into society through improves communication and new skills |
| Gives people with anxiety or shyness a boost of confidence, a sense of relaxation and allows them to make friends within their community. |
| Helps patients with respiratory problems by using rhythms and singing to control speech and breathing. |
| Aids prisoners to reform from their past and start a new life with purpose and enjoyment. |
| Used in hospitals and care homes to bring back memories in dementia patients or to distract from pain or uncomfortable feelings. |
Why is Community Music Important For Professional Musicians?
For a musician working in the industry, the community is vital. It helps you find work in an extremely competitive field, collaborate, get assistance and assist others. Being a community musician allows you to spread your knowledge to make a positive change in individuals’ lives. You might not be teaching them how to become a musician, but instead helping them through tough times physically or mentally, assisting in communication and interaction or giving people enjoyment and a sense of meaning in life. A community musician must thrive on helping both individuals and communities and be able to express different emotions through music. They have to be creative, understanding and passionate about their job.