Starting from scratch: Forming a community of practice in an Australian late starters’ wind

Musical participation is a powerful form of community engagement, offering agency in positive ageing. Community music endeavours usually involve active music-making and acquisition of musical skills and understandings. Participants in such programmes elect to become involved, often taking responsibility for the survival of the group. This case study explores the understandings of members of a community band, the Second Wind Ensemble, formed in 1998 in Adelaide, South Australia. Initially, the band offered late starters the opportunity to learn an instrument. The ensemble now has approximately 60 players with a regular programme of concerts, rehearsals, tutorials and social gatherings. The band conductor is a professional music educator. This study chronicles the development of a community of practice with the band members gradually assuming responsibility for their ensemble. This discussion considers only the first two years in the history of the ensemble, during which time the roles of participants evolved. In this case study, the founder, conductor, organizer and a number of participants were interviewed and data analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The themes identified from these multiple perspectives focus on well-being, active engagement with community, the development of musical skills and understandings, and the formation of a community of practice.