Collaborative recreational music making, cultural inclusion, health, and healing across disciplines

Abstract

ABSTRACT An exploration of the creation and benefits of recreational music making (RMM) group work and the collaborative connections with the Cincinnati Music & Wellness Coalition (CMWC), which has led to the broad dissemination and use of these programs as well as how the coalition has engaged in ever widening interagency and community collaborative efforts supporting diverse groups. A literature review of recreational music making studies across disciplines, interviews with CMWC members, and observation as well as interaction with their events, training, and community and service work. Recreational music making combined with self-expression and group work has been linked to increases in wellbeing across multiple life domains with diverse populations and can be an effective tool for social work groups. The unique collaborative work CMWC members create may only be possible due to their connection with the coalition and its resources. RMM groups and other expressive arts programming change the lives of many populations for the better and in connection with the CMWC have birthed an incredible plethora of programming to serve the ever-changing needs of our communities.