Music is about more than notes and rhythm—it's about connection. For adults and seniors especially, participating in group music classes can offer something that goes far beyond musical skill: the chance to build friendships, feel seen, and be part of something joyful.
In a world where loneliness is increasingly recognized as a serious public health concern, group music-making offers a powerful antidote. Whether it's a beginner ukulele circle or a multi-part harmony choir, music brings people together in uniquely human ways.
The Science of Social Connection
Research shows that adults who engage in regular social activity have a lower risk of depression, cognitive decline, and even mortality.* Social bonds are essential to our emotional and physical well-being, especially later in life when people often face isolation due to retirement, loss, or physical mobility changes.*
Group music classes offer a built-in way to make these connections. Through shared learning, practice, and performance, participants quickly form relationships based on encouragement and common purpose.
Why Music Builds Bond Faster Than Most Activities
Unlike many other group hobbies, music requires cooperation, coordination, and listening—not just to an instructor, but to each other. This makes music classes naturally collaborative. From keeping rhythm together to harmonizing in a vocal ensemble, participants have to be in sync both musically and socially.
Studies suggest that activities requiring synchronization—like group drumming or singing—produce feelings of closeness and increase levels of oxytocin, the “bonding hormone.”*
Moreover, music-making activates areas of the brain associated with empathy and trust, which helps to build connection faster than passive or individual activities.*
Confidence Through Community
Trying something new as an adult can be intimidating. But in group music classes, you're not doing it alone. Shared vulnerability creates a safe and supportive atmosphere. Everyone is learning, laughing, and making mistakes together.
This collective growth fosters confidence—not just in music, but in social engagement. Many students report feeling more comfortable speaking up, meeting new people, and even performing in public thanks to their experiences in music groups.*
Music Breaks Barriers
One of the most beautiful things about group music-making is its ability to transcend barriers. Age, background, and experience level matter less when everyone’s working together toward the same song.
Music becomes a common language. A beginner in their 70s can find just as much joy and success as a former band member in their 40s. And because most adult group classes are non-competitive, there’s a natural sense of inclusion.
From Classmates to Companions
The social effects of group music classes don’t end when the music stops. Many students form friendships that extend well beyond the classroom—sharing rides, meeting for coffee, or organizing their own jam sessions.
One recent study on group singing programs for older adults found that participants frequently cited new friendships as one of the most meaningful benefits.* For people who may have recently experienced retirement, relocation, or divorce, these relationships can be especially valuable.
At Mechanics of Music, we’ve seen group class participants build lifelong friendships. Some go on to form bands, travel together, or volunteer side-by-side at community events. Music provides the initial spark, but it's the human connection that keeps them coming back.
Supporting Mental Health
Social isolation and loneliness are linked to increased risk of depression and anxiety. Participating in regular group music classes combats these effects by fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.*
There’s also the mood-enhancing effect of music itself. Singing, strumming, or tapping along in rhythm with others leads to the release of endorphins and dopamine—neurochemicals that promote happiness and reduce stress.*
In group settings, these benefits are amplified. Laughing together over missed notes or celebrating a well-played piece provides moments of shared joy that lift everyone’s spirits.
Real Stories from the Studio
Time and again, we’ve heard from students who say that their group class “saved them” from isolation or gave them something to look forward to each week. Some were new to town, some newly retired, and others simply looking for a creative outlet.
One choir member shared, “I came for the singing, but I stayed for the people. I’ve found a second family.”
Another guitar student said, “I was scared to sign up at first, but I’ve made more friends in this group class than I did in the past five years.”
These stories are not rare—they’re the norm. Group music classes give people a reason to show up, a chance to contribute, and a way to feel connected.
Low-Pressure, High-Fun Environment
Adult music groups are typically relaxed, beginner-friendly, and supportive. There’s little pressure to be perfect—what matters most is participation and enjoyment.
This low-stakes setting is ideal for older adults, especially those who may not have a musical background. With the right guidance, even complete beginners feel empowered to join in and learn something new.
And because everyone is in it together, there’s a collective sense of encouragement. When someone gets a tricky chord right or finally hits that harmony, the group celebrates.
Music as a Lifelong Social Practice
As we age, maintaining strong social ties becomes increasingly important. Music classes provide an ideal opportunity to do just that, in a format that’s fun, meaningful, and mentally stimulating.
Unlike many other group activities, music offers continuous learning and growth. There’s always a new song to try, a new rhythm to explore, or a performance to prepare for. This keeps people engaged not just in music, but in life.
Whether you’re 45 or 85, joining a music group can help you feel more connected, more confident, and more alive.
Getting Involved
Most community music schools offer a variety of group classes for adults—ranging from choir and vocal harmony to beginner guitar, ukulele ensembles, or world drumming circles. Try a drop-in session or beginner workshop to get a taste.
If you're unsure where to start, look for classes that emphasize social connection and welcome all skill levels. The goal is to make music with people, not just in front of them.
Final Note
At its core, music is meant to be shared. Group classes provide more than a place to learn—they create space for friendship, laughter, encouragement, and belonging.
So if you’re looking for a way to meet new people, boost your mood, and enrich your life, consider picking up an instrument and joining a class. You’ll find yourself making more than music—you’ll be making friends.
Footnotes:
- Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review. PLoS Med, 7(7), e1000316.
- Haslam, C., Cruwys, T., & Haslam, S. A. (2014). "The we's have it": Evidence for the distinctive benefits of group engagement in enhancing cognitive health in aging. Social Science & Medicine, 120, 57-66.
- Dunbar, R. I. M., Kaskatis, K., MacDonald, I., & Barra, V. (2012). Performance of music elevates pain threshold and positive affect: implications for the evolutionary function of music. Evolutionary Psychology, 10(4), 688-702.
- Pearce, E., Launay, J., & Dunbar, R. I. M. (2015). The ice-breaker effect: Singing mediates fast social bonding. Royal Society Open Science, 2(10), 150221.
- Davidson, J. W., & Faulkner, R. (2010). Music and dementia: From cognition to therapy. International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Creech, A., Hallam, S., Varvarigou, M., & McQueen, H. (2013). Active music making: a route to enhanced subjective well-being among older people. Perspectives in Public Health, 133(1), 36-43.
- Dingle, G. A., Brander, C., Ballantyne, J., & Baker, F. A. (2013). ‘To be heard’: The social and mental health benefits of choir singing for disadvantaged adults. Psychology of Music, 41(4), 405–421.
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