I played a wind instrument for 10 years, ending in senior year of high school. I got quite good (if I do say so myself, lol) and had the opportunity to learn from a few excellent musicians in private instructions, chamber music, and the like. I have to say, I agree with the OP. The best musicians I knew critically listened to different pieces of music in their spare time, reflected on their performances, and so on. From what I could tell, music permeated every aspect of their lives, even if they weren't spending their free time practicing technical fundamentals. Their love of the art was such that I don't think they could stop that if they even tried to.