|
Healthy Ageing through Music & the Arts
Research shows that music and the arts influence the process of ageing in a healthy way. What does working in this domain mean for musicians? This question is being researched from various angles. External partners such as the Royal College of Music and 'Music for Life' of Wigmore Hall Learning in London are involved in projects of this research strand.
Research subjects and approach
As part of the research strand, literature research resulting in an overarching conceptual framework takes place. For the various projects within the research strand, case studies are written, examples of good practices collected, in-depth interviews held and pilot projects started up and evaluated.
In 2009 research group members Ben Boog en Rosie Perkins developed a conceptual framework for the research strand ‘Healthy Ageing through Music & the Arts’ based on an extensive literature study.
HAMA Conceptual framework
Various projects are part of this research line:
- Learning how to play an instrument at an elderly age was the subject of research in a RAAK-MKB-funded project. Together with professional music teachers in the field, teaching methods were (further) developed.
- Explorative research into the practice of working with the elderly in creative workshops has been carried out, research on this topic will be continued in new projects.
- A substantial project researches workshops for elderly people with dementia, in collaboration with a.o. Music for Life/Wigmore Hall Learning in London. This organisation creates musical workshops for elderly people with dementia and their carers.
- Research on the careers of (elderly) visual artists
- Research on the relation between Parkinson and music
In the future, research on the musical careers of older musicians will start, as well as research on motives for elderly to participate in musical projects. Also, we plan to look into the practice of performing concerts in residential homes for the elderly.
 Consequences for the curriculum
The results of all those research projects will provide important perspectives for new professional practices for musicians and artists.
Dissemination
Dissemination of the research within this research strand will take place through publications (on the website and in professional journals) as well as through symposia and workshops with students in Groningen, The Hague and London.
Current researchers and partners
Researchers:
Rineke Smilde, Evert Bisschop Boele, Karolien Dons, Robert Harris, Kate Page, Peter Alheit
Collaborating partners: Music for Life, Wigmore Hall Learning, London (Linda Rose), Royal Conservatoire The Hague, The Education and Participation department of the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Alzheimer Foundation in the Netherlands, ZINN (Care organisation in Groningen), Rudolf Steiner Care The Hague, Stichting MuzThinc Harlingen (CityProms).
Research manager: Evert Bisschop Boele.
|