How Music Can Transform Your Retirement: Health, Joy & Connection After 60

I’m a retired professor of music history and a lifelong musicologist. After losing my wife shortly into our retirement, music became not just a comfort, but a lifeline. In this article, I’ll show you how music can be your companion, your purpose, and your way back to joy.

“Without music, life would be a mistake.” — Beethoven

Why Music Matters After Retirement

Music is more than entertainment. It stimulates the brain, supports emotional well-being, encourages physical movement, and fosters social connection—all vital for healthy aging. Whether you’re listening, playing, or singing, music engages the brain in unique and powerful ways.

The Scientific Benefits

• Brain health: Music stimulates memory and cognitive function

• Emotional well-being: Expressive and therapeutic

• Physical benefits: Encourages movement and rhythmic coordination

• Social connection: Shared musical experiences build bonds

How to Start Enjoying Music in Retirement

Listening With Purpose

Don’t just let music play in the background. Actively listening can boost your mood, memory, and mental engagement.

• Create playlists on Spotify or YouTube

• Explore new genres

• Revisit meaningful songs from your past

• Share your favorites with friends or family

Join a Community or Church Choir

Singing has immense benefits:

• Deepens breath control

• Enhances mood

• Creates strong community bonds

• Connects you to sacred traditions or uplifting popular tunes

Pick Up an Instrument Again

Did you play piano or guitar as a child? Now’s the perfect time to revisit it. Music-making is deeply satisfying and mentally stimulating.

• Take lessons (private or group)

• Join local ensembles

• Start small: 10 minutes a day can make a big difference

Try Karaoke or Ukulele Groups

You don’t need formal training to enjoy music!

• Karaoke: A great social activity and confidence booster

• Ukulele: Easy to learn, perfect for group jam sessions

Courses, Concerts, and Musical Socializing

Music Appreciation Courses

Understanding music increases your enjoyment. Look for:

• Local community center classes

• Online courses like those offered by Seniors Junction

• Pre-concert talks or listening groups

Attend Live Performances

Live music is thrilling and connects you with others. Try:

• House concerts

• Local orchestras or jazz nights

• Festival events (especially in summer)

Become a Concert Reviewer or Volunteer

Want purpose and community?

• Review concerts for local publications or blogs

• Volunteer at performances (ushering, board work, publicity)

Music and Intergenerational Connection

Music can bridge the generation gap:

• Share your music with grandchildren

• Learn about the artists they love (even BTS!)

• Play or sing together—shared joy, shared memories

In Summary

A musical retirement is a rich and rewarding one. Whether you’re listening, learning, or performing, music:

• Stimulates the brain

• Fights isolation

• Supports emotional and spiritual well-being

• Fosters purpose and joy

As Plato said: “If you let me make a country’s music, I care not who may make its laws.” Let music shape your retirement into a life worth living—full of harmony, discovery, and connection.

🧑‍🎓 About the Author

Paul Merkley, PhD, is a retired professor of musicology, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and a Harvard PhD. He shares his passion for music history with seniors and lifelong learners through Seniors Junction.

Explore more ways to enrich your retirement with music