Music Ensembles and Flourishing: How Making Music in Community at a Liberal Arts University Promotes Student Well-Being Open Access
Balson, Abigail (Spring 2026)
Abstract
Undergraduate students are highly susceptible to experiencing high stress levels, mental health issues, and loneliness. These afflictions contribute to a poor college experience, decreased academic success, increased burden on the healthcare system, and elevated risk for long-term chronic disease. This study investigates how music ensembles can serve as a pathway towards wellness for Emory University undergraduate students via interviews and quantitative research methods. I argue that ensemble participation at a liberal arts university fosters a sense of community that supports student well-being in both the short and long-term. Scholars have shown that collegiate music ensembles provide students with opportunities to build community and pursue an avocational passion. However, there is limited information on the mechanisms by which music ensemble participation in college can promote well-being, as well as a lack of quantitative data to back up qualitative findings. The results of this study link quantitative and qualitative data to reveal college music ensembles as spaces of familiarity, enjoyment, and belonging for participants which can support their well-being.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Background 6
The Languishing Issue…………………………………………………………………….6
Flourishing………………………………………………………………………………...7
College Music Ensembles as a Pathway to Flourishing…………………………………..8
Facet 1: Mechanisms of Community Creation……………………………………9
Facet 2: Student Perception of Social Benefits……………………..……..……..12
Facet 3: Relationships as a Motivator for Ensemble Participation……………....14
Methods…………………………………………………………………………………………..20
Design……………………………………………………………………………………20
Participants……………………………………………………………………………….22
Quantitative Data Collection……………………………………………………………..29
Qualitative Data Collection………………………………………………………………30
Post Data Collection Reports…………….……….......……..…………………………...31
Results……………………………………………………………………………………………32
Overall Results…………………………………………………………..……..………...32
All Curricular Ensembles………………………………………………………………...36
All Extracurricular Ensembles…………………………………………………………...38
Ensemble-Specific Results……………………………………………………………….40
Individual Extracurricular Ensembles……………………………………………………40
ChaiTunes……………………………………………..….……..…….…..…......41
Dooley Noted…………………………………………………………………….44
Emory Pep Band…………………………………………………………………49
Suri……………………………………………………………………………….55
The Gathering……………………………………………………………………58
Individual Curricular Ensembles………………………………………………………...61
Emory Javanese Gamelan Ensemble……………………………………....…….61
Symphony Orchestra……………………………………………………………..62
University Chorus………………………………………………………………..67
Wind Ensemble…………………………………………………………………..72
Variations in Belonging…………………………………………………………………..76
All Emory Ensembles…………………………………………………………....76
Curricular Ensembles…………………………………………………………….78
Extracurricular Ensembles……………………………………………………….79
Discussion………………………………………………………………………………………..81
Music Ensembles as a Familiar Space…………………………………………………...81
Music Ensembles as Participatory Performance…………………………………………83
Music Ensembles as a Community………………………………………………………85
Implications………………………………………………………………………………88
Limits…………………………………………………………………………………………….90
Future Directions………………………………………………………………………………...91
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….93
Appendix A: Recruitment Materials……………………………………………………………..95
Email Message…………………………………………………………………………...95
Appendix B: Interview Materials………………………………………………………………...96
Appendix B.1 Oral Consent……………………………………………………………...96
Appendix B.2 Interview Questions………………………………………………………99
Appendix C: Survey Materials………………………………………………………………….100
Appendix C.1 Survey Consent………………………………………………………….100
Appendix C.2 Online Survey Questions………………………………………………..103
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………………….111
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