COVID-19 and community band participation: Impacts and the road forward

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to survey members of New Horizons International Music Association (NHIMA) instrumental ensembles and community band members (N = 1184) with regard to their music-making experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of the survey revealed that New Horizons Band (NHB) members and community band members value the social aspect of rehearsals the most, and that suspension of these rehearsals had negative impact on participants’ experiences. Results also indicate that less than 20 per cent of participants engaged in remote learning with their NHB group, suggesting a need to examine the use of technology and remote learning strategies both among senior adult musicians and within the contexts of community music-making.