Seniors and Music
To learn more about the role of music in the lives of seniors, the survey asked participants about the importance of music in the expression of their faith. In response to the question, “how important to you is music in the expression of your faith?” 90% of respondents reported that music was important or vital (32% and 58%, respectively) (Figure 14). The survey did not ask respondents to report their level of past experience with music, though several commented that they had prior musical experience or were current choir members or church musicians. These factors likely contribute to the level of importance that was placed on music. For these seniors, music is a central part of how they choose to express their faith. Additional research confirms “music serves as a source of strength and meaning in the face of suffering and that it also promotes a closer relationship with God” (e.g Jones 1993; and Viladesau 2000 – cited by Bradshaw 2014). One of the respondents to the present survey summarised the importance of music saying, “it just lifts you up.”
The importance of music in the lives of seniors can also be demonstrated in the frequency with which they listen to music (outside of church services). The responses on this statistic did not change based on time – before or during the pandemic. The responses were identical. Figures 15 and 16 show that most seniors reported listening to music daily (53%) or more than once a week (32%).
(To view larger versions of these graphs, please click on the graph in the upper left corner of the page)
The importance of music in Christian practice extends far beyond what has been discussed here. As Stephen Nance summarizes, “music was a vital part of the life and culture of the ancient Hebrews, especially in their worship, and their practices laid foundations for the Christian hymnic traditions that followed” (Nance 1995). Other scholars have also investigated how singing knits the church community together (e.g. Ingalls 2018). The Christian scriptures are also filled with references to music and the importance of singing. For example, Colossians 3:16 exhorts “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
“O sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing unto the Lord and praise his Name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his honor to the nations, and his wonders to all peoples. For the Lord is great, and highly to be praised; he is more to be feared than all gods.”
Psalm 96:1-4, New Coverdale Psalter, Book of Common Prayer (2019)