#1 Music is more fun together. Not only do you get to play with friends (with new or old) … also the complexity and beauty of the music you can make is increased with more participants. The whole is more than the sum of the parts. It is one of the most musically satisfying activities to make music together.
#2 Learn really important musical skills that will improve your solo playing. In an ensemble, you have to stay in tempo and can’t stop if something goes wrong. You learn how to count better, to listen better, to keep going and stay together even when a mistake is made. All of these skills will make you a better solo musician as well.
#3 Cultivate empathy, listening and skills needed to work together well in a team. The key to a successful ensemble group is sensitivity and close listening to each other while still playing your own part. From the rehearsal process to the final performance, members have to work together.