Implementing Music Therapy-Based Intergenerational Programs in the Community

Abstract

Music-Based Intergenerational Programs, Older Adults and Community Engagement Through Music.Research in music-based intergenerational programming has shown benefits such as improved cross-age attitudes and cross-age interactions between younger and older generations. However, there is limited information pertaining to how older adults' experiences change based on the age of the younger participants. The purpose of this paper was to compare older adults' experiences in three multiple-aged music intergenerational programs. Older adults were involved in one of three musicbased intergenerational groups with youth of differing ages: preschoolers, elementary-age children, and college-age young adults. The preschool program focused on teaching academic skills through music activities. Participants in the elementary program interacted with fourth-graders through singing, moving to music, playing instruments, and structured conversations. Older adults in the college program participated with music majors in a rock band and chorus, and performed a final concert at the local university. Older adult participants were interviewed upon completion of the programs. Results revealed that older adults had different motivations for participating in the three varied intergenerational programs (preschool, elementary, and college programs). Differences were also discovered in older adults' descriptions of the programs, and in perceptions of the programs' benefits provided to the younger generations. The author will discuss how to use these findings to structure future intergenerational programming in school and community settings.