Outdoor Music in Senior Living: Sounding Out Research, Resources & Stories

Outdoor Music in Senior Living | Sounding Out Research, Resources & Stories

What happens when music moves outdoors?

The Sounding Out program set out to explore how outdoor musical experiences can support people living in senior living, dementia care, and memory care communities. Through international research, personal stories, and practical case studies, the findings reveal how outdoor music can encourage people to spend more time outside, strengthen social connections, spark intergenerational interactions, and create moments of joy, expression, and shared experience.

Here you'll find the latest research report, podcast, blogs, and resources, along with real examples from communities that use outdoor music to create more welcoming, engaging, and connected environments for residents, families, and staff.

Sounding Out Research Report

What We Learnt From Sounding Out

Download the latest Sounding Out report, authored by Dr Stuart Wood MBE, Independent Scholar in Music Work and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Bath Spa School of Music and Performing Arts. The study explores the impact of outdoor musical instruments in senior living, dementia care, and memory care communities across the UK, the USA, and Denmark, examining themes such as motivation to go outdoors, intergenerational experiences, social connection, and the broader impact on care communities. Combining research findings with the voices of residents, families, and care professionals, the report provides valuable evidence and practical insights into the role of outdoor music in later life.

Download Full Report

Why We Created Sounding Out

Why did Percussion Play launch the Sounding Out project? In this blog, Jody Ashfield reflects on the inspiration behind the research, the questions we wanted to answer, and why outdoor musical experiences deserve greater attention in senior living settings. Discover how a simple idea evolved into an international study exploring connection, wellbeing, engagement, and quality of life for older adults.

Read the Blog

Listen To The Stories Behind The Research

Research findings tell an important part of the story, but the true impact of outdoor music is best understood through the people who experience it. In this special podcast episode, residents, family members, care staff, therapists, and community leaders from across the UK, Denmark, and the United States share their experiences of living with outdoor musical instruments. Alongside these personal reflections, lead researcher Dr Stuart Wood MBE explores the key findings and insights from the Sounding Out project.

Listen to the Podcast

Bringing Outdoor Music To Your Community

Inspired by the findings of Sounding Out? Our Senior Living brochure explores how outdoor musical instruments can support wellbeing, encourage participation, spark reminiscence, and create opportunities for meaningful social connection. Learn more about the benefits of outdoor music, discover key insights from the Sounding Out research project, and explore a range of instruments designed to create engaging and inclusive musical spaces for older adults.

Download our Senior Living Catalog

FAQs

What is Sounding Out?

Sounding Out is an international research program exploring how outdoor musical instruments can support wellbeing, social connection, and engagement in senior living, dementia care, and memory care communities. Led by Dr Stuart Wood MBE, Independent Scholar in Music Work and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Bath Spa School of Music and Performing Arts, the study brings together the experiences of residents, families, care staff, and community members across the UK, USA, and Denmark.

What did the research investigate?

The study explored four key themes: motivation to spend time outdoors, intergenerational experiences, social connection, and the wider impact outdoor music can have on care communities. The research examined how accessible outdoor musical instruments can create opportunities for participation, expression, and meaningful shared experiences for people of all ages and abilities.

What were the key findings?

The research found overwhelmingly positive responses from participants. The majority reported that outdoor musical instruments made spending time outdoors more appealing and enjoyable, while also supporting social interaction, connection between generations and a stronger sense of community. Participants also described benefits including enjoyment, curiosity, conversation and opportunities to connect with others in ways that felt natural and inclusive.

Who took part in the research?

The study included residents, family members, care staff, and wider community participants from senior living and care settings in the United Kingdom, United States, and Denmark. By bringing together different perspectives, the research provides a broader understanding of how outdoor music can benefit not only residents but also families, visitors and care teams.

Why are outdoor musical instruments effective in dementia and memory care settings?

Outdoor musical instruments offer an accessible and pressure-free way to engage with music. They can encourage exploration, self-expression and social interaction while supporting sensory experiences through sound, touch and movement. The research found that outdoor music can create moments of connection and engagement regardless of a person's musical background or cognitive ability.

Where can I learn more or access the research?

You can download the full Sounding Out report, watch the project documentary, listen to the companion podcast, and explore related articles, case studies, and resources throughout this page. Together, these materials provide a detailed look at how outdoor music is helping people connect, engage, and flourish in senior living and memory care environments.

Instruments Selected For Sounding Out

Duo

Duo (C Major Pentatonic, C4–C6) was selected for the study for its inclusive, user-centred design and ability to support comfortable social engagement in memory care settings. Tuned to a pentatonic scale, it enables harmonious, pressure-free play, encouraging spontaneous interaction and shared musical exploration. Its offset, wave-shaped design was a key factor in selection, helping to reduce direct eye contact and create a low-pressure environment that can feel more comfortable for many users. The accessible, double-sided layout supports multi-user play, while the clear note arrangement encourages exploration, coordination, and cognitive engagement. Together, these features promote connection, confidence, and meaningful participation in a relaxed, supportive outdoor setting.

Harmony

Harmony (C Major Pentatonic) was selected for the study for its calming tonal quality and supportive play experience in memory care settings. As a vertically mounted outdoor metallophone tuned to a soothing pentatonic scale, it produces soft, melodic tones that encourage relaxation and emotional comfort, while allowing users to explore freely without the risk of dissonance. Its upright design was a key factor in selection, encouraging gentle, natural movement and comfortable reach for a wide range of users. The clear, ascending note arrangement also supports cognitive engagement through pattern recognition and anticipation of sound. Playing Harmony combines sensory input - sound, touch, and movement - helping to stimulate attention, coordination, and memory recall. Its accessible, shared format further promotes social interaction and collective musical exploration in a calm, low-pressure environment.

Rainbow Chimes

Rainbow Trio Chimes (Pentatonic) were selected for the study for their gentle tonal quality and ability to support accessible engagement in memory care settings. Tuned to a pentatonic scale, they enable harmonious, pressure-free improvisation, encouraging spontaneous exploration and non-verbal expression. The soft chime tones contribute to a calming environment, while play supports motor skills and cross-midline movement. Bright, high-contrast colours were a key factor in selection - helping attract attention and support recognition. They also provide intuitive guidance, allowing users to associate colours with where to strike, reducing hesitation and supporting independent play. In addition, the vibrant palette can enhance mood and create a more welcoming, engaging space for shared interaction.

Babel Drum (Large)

The Babel Drum was selected for the study for its calming tones, inviting appearance, and accessible playing style. Tuned to a pentatonic scale, it allows users to create pleasing harmonies through simple exploration, without the need for musical knowledge or training. Its reflective stainless steel finish naturally attracts attention and encourages curiosity, while the gentle, resonant sounds can help create a relaxing sensory experience. Designed to be played with hands and fingers, the instrument promotes tactile engagement and fine motor movement. For users with reduced dexterity, additional mallets can provide additional support, helping to ensure a positive and inclusive musical experience for a wide range of abilities.

Sounding Out Research Project