The Role of Community in Musical Wellness: Building Supportive Networks

Music has an incredible way of bringing people together. Whether it's playing in a band, singing in a choir, or jamming with friends, there's something special about making music with others. But beyond the joy of shared music-making, being part of a supportive musical community can have a significant impact on our mental health and overall well-being.

In this post, we’ll dive into how being connected to a musical community can improve mental wellness, foster collaboration, and provide emotional support. After all, music isn't just something we do alone—it thrives in the connections we build with others.

Why Social Connections Matter for Mental Health

Humans are social creatures. We’re wired to connect, and these connections are key to our mental and emotional health. Research shows that having strong social ties is linked to lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015). When you think about it, music is one of the best ways to build those ties—it’s naturally social, whether you're part of a band, an orchestra, or even a virtual group online.

For musicians, being part of a community means more than just making music. It offers a sense of belonging, shared purpose, and identity. Whether you're jamming with friends or rehearsing for a performance, you're not just playing notes—you're building relationships and sharing experiences that can help support your mental health. And when you’re feeling connected, it’s easier to navigate the emotional ups and downs that come with being a musician.

Collaboration and Emotional Resilience

One of the best things about being part of a musical community is the chance to collaborate. Working with other musicians isn’t just fun—it’s also a great way to build emotional resilience. When you collaborate, you're sharing the creative process, celebrating successes together, and leaning on each other when things get tough.

Studies show that making music with others can reduce stress and anxiety, while boosting feelings of connection and even enhancing your immune system (Koelsch, 2014). Whether it’s jamming in person or collaborating remotely, these shared musical experiences help us feel more grounded and supported, both musically and emotionally.

When you're working together, you realize that you’re not alone in your creative struggles. Maybe you’re dealing with performance anxiety, creative blocks, or burnout. Having others around who understand what you’re going through can be a huge help, and sometimes just knowing someone else is going through something similar makes the load a little lighter.

How to Build a Supportive Musical Network

Building a supportive musical community takes effort, but it's absolutely worth it. Here are a few tips on how to create and maintain these networks to boost both your musical and mental well-being:

1. Find (or Create) a Peer Group. If you don’t already have a group of musicians you regularly connect with, seek one out. Join a band, a choir, or a local music meetup. And if there isn’t anything like that in your area, consider starting something! Whether it’s a casual jam session, an online collaboration group, or a songwriting circle, having people to bounce ideas off and share your musical journey with can be super beneficial.

2. Talk About Mental Health. Let's be real—mental health issues like anxiety and depression are common in the music world, but people don’t always talk about them openly. One of my goals in my online spaces is to shatter the misconceptions and any stigmas relating to mental health issues in the musician world. By normalizing conversations around mental health in your community, you can create a safe space for people to express their struggles and get the support they need. When we share our stories, it helps break down stigma and creates a stronger, more compassionate community.

3. Collaborate Across Boundaries. Collaboration doesn’t have to be limited to your immediate circle. Reach out to musicians from different genres, backgrounds, or even countries. Platforms like YouTube, SoundCloud, and Instagram make it easier than ever to connect with other artists. Expanding your musical network this way not only helps you grow creatively but also gives you access to new perspectives and support systems.

During Covid, we saw this quite often! In fact, I shared a series of videos collaborating with musicians all over the United States. Through this process, I met some really amazing people who are still friends. I am a huge fan of collaborating!

4. Support Each Other During Performances. Performing can be nerve-wracking for anyone, but having a supportive community can make it less daunting. Encourage each other before and after performances and provide constructive feedback. Sometimes just a few words of reassurance from a fellow musician can help ease performance anxiety and boost confidence. I am so thankful for my group of musician friends and how they have encouraged me!

The Virtual Music Community

In today’s world, musical communities are no longer limited to physical spaces. The internet has made it possible for musicians to connect across vast distances, which became especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual choirs, remote collaborations, and online jam sessions have all grown in popularity, showing that you don’t have to be in the same room to build meaningful musical relationships.

While virtual spaces aren’t a complete substitute for in-person interaction, they offer an excellent way to stay connected when geography or circumstances make it difficult to gather in person. These online communities provide a sense of connection, even when we’re apart, and can help keep the creative spark alive during challenging times.

Why Community Matters

At the end of the day, music is about more than just playing notes—it's about connecting with others. Whether you're collaborating with fellow musicians, sharing a stage, or simply offering emotional support, these relationships are what make music so powerful.

Being part of a musical community can lift you up when you're feeling low, inspire new creative ideas, and help you become more resilient, both in your music and in life. So, if you haven’t already, take the time to invest in your musical connections—they might just be the key to your mental wellness as well as your artistic growth.

References

- Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. *PLOS Medicine, 7*(7), e1000316.

- Koelsch, S. (2014). Brain correlates of music-evoked emotions. *Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15*(3), 170-180.

Take care, my friends!

-      Christina