The Effects of Music in Community and Educational Settings

It has been recognized through the ages that music can have a very powerful influence on our emotions, moods, and behavior. Alongside the increase in and ease of music listening, there has been an acknowledgement that there are wider benefits to active engagement with music beyond those emanating from its value as an art form. This chapter reviews literature which has explored the ways that music has benefits beyond those associated with enjoyment of making or listening to music in community and educational settings. It considers developments in community music, research which has assessed its impact, the way that music has been used to attain educational aims beyond those relating to music education itself, and issues and findings relating to the use of background music when studying.