New Horizons Band of Western New York spring session begins on Wednesday, Feb. 4 on the SUNY Fredonia campus.
The concert band is always looking to expand its membership. Whether you’re interested in learning to play an instrument, returning to an instrument you haven’t practiced in years, or continuing to play but looking for a new group to join, the New Horizons Band has an open position for you.
The western New York chapter of New Horizons Band was founded in 2005 as a band for people aged 50 and over but is now open to any mature adult with an interest in playing music in a concert band. No audition, previous background in music, or proficiency on an instrument is needed to join, but participants must bring their own instrument (excluding percussion instruments, which are provided for use), have availability to rehearse on Wednesdays and Fridays between 3 and 5:30 p.m., and pay a session fee.
The cost of the spring session, which will run from Feb. 4 through April 17, is $120, which covers rehearsals for concert band and two ensembles of your choosing. Private Lessons are also offered for an additional $180 if you would like to learn a new instrument or brush up on your skills. More information can be found at New Horizons Band of Western New York | Fredonia.edu
The private lessons are optional for band members, but if interested you would receive one-on-one instruction with a student instructor chosen by the band director, Dr. Katherine McKay, from the pool of students attending SUNY Fredonia that are majoring in music.
Although most members are still aged 50 and over, there are a few younger members. The band’s current roster sits at about 60 people playing woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Many members returned to their instrument after at least a decade without practice, some members had never played an instrument before joining, and some were retired music educators or professional musicians. New Horizons really is a band that welcomes all that have an interest in playing music.
Rehearsals take place in Mason Hall on the SUNY Fredonia campus. Concert band rehearses on Wednesdays from 4 to 4:45 p.m. and Fridays from 4 to 5:30 p.m., with ensemble groups rehearsing from 3 to 3:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Ensembles include jazz, flute, clarinet, woodwind chamber groups, mallet percussion and Fredonia Blue Band, which plays a “light” version of concert band music. The ensembles are led by music students from SUNY Fredonia or by band members who are experienced music teachers.
The concert band and jazz ensemble will be playing their Spring Concert in King Concert Hall on the SUNY Fredonia campus on Thursday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m., and the ensemble groups will be playing an event for fellow band members and their guests on Friday, April 17 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Mason Hall Room 1075 on the SUNY Fredonia campus.
“It is never too late to pick up a new instrument or return to an instrument!” says Dr. McKay. "Everyone plays at the level they can handle. When we combine efforts across the group, we make great music!" McKay adds. “In New Horizons, your musicianship improves because you practice as part of a community with the help of experienced band leaders and Fredonia music students.”
