New Horizons Band to perform in Fredonia and Brocton parks this summer

Katherine Levy, director, and the New Horizons Band of WNY perform in King Concert Hall.

The New Horizons Band of Western New York will present free Summer Concerts at 6:30 p.m .on Wednesday, July 25 at the Barker Common Gazebo in the Village of Fredonia and at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, at the Ryckman Park Gazebo in the Village of Brocton. 

The program will include Variation Overture by Clifton Williams, Military Escort by Harold Bennett, American Folk Rhapsody No. 1 by Clare Grundman, Trumpet Gallop by Derek Bourgeois, Ammerland by Jacob De Haan, American Song Settings No. 3 - Barbara Allen, arranged by Joseph Kreines, The Symphonic Marches of John Williams (Raiders March, Imperial March, Olympic Fanfare and March), arranged by John Higgins, New Horizons Overture by Jim Mahaffey, 12th Street Rag by Euday Bowman, arr. Lloyd Conley, Spy Chase by Brant Karrick, Empire State Salute by Ted Peterson, Fantasy on an African-American Spiritual by Bruce Preuninger, Fever, words and music by John Davenport and Eddie Cooley, arranged by John Moss, and Mancini Spectacular by Henry Mancini, arranged by Warren Barker.

The band under the direction of Dr. Katherine Levy was launched by the SUNY Fredonia School of Music and is living proof that, when it comes to learning to play a musical instrument, it truly is “never too late.” New Horizons Band members, who are at least 50 years old, are given the opportunity to learn to play a band instrument, return to playing a band instrument after a long absence, or continue to improve playing an instrument they have long enjoyed. The average age of the New Horizons Band of Western New York is nearly 64 years ranging in age from the early 50s to the late 70s.

The Fall Term will begin in on August 31. Participants must provide their own instruments in good repair. No audition is required for membership. Fall is a great time for novices to join the New Horizons Band movement. No previous background in music or on a instrument is necessary to join. During the fall term, group lessons and band rehearsals will be held on Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 3 to 5 pm. The NHB program includes two weekly group lessons on an instrument and two weekly band rehearsals in Mason Hall on the SUNY Fredonia campus. During the first hour, SUNY Fredonia students provide sectional instruction. The entire band rehearses during the second hour under the direction of Dr. Katherine Levy.

Dr. Katherine M. Levy, associate professor of music education, conducts the band. Advanced music education students in the School of Music provide group lesson instruction. Dr. Levy has conducted New Horizons Bands in Iowa and Georgia, and she founded a New Horizons Band in Hagerstown, MD. “Music making is just too much fun to leave only to younger folks,” said Levy. “Almost anyone can enjoy learning to play a musical instrument when good instruction, a friendly environment, and lots of helping hands are available.” Dr. Levy was introduced to New Horizons as a graduate student when she became the brass instructor for one of the first New Horizons Bands in Iowa City, IA.

The New Horizons Band of Western New York is part of the Musical Journeys Program, a community outreach project offered in the Fredonia School of Music. More information about New Horizons music efforts and the New Horizons Band of Western New York is available online at www.fredonia.edu/music/community/newhorizons or call 716-673-4628. Those who are not sure what instrument to play, please contact Dr. Levy at 716-673-3401 to schedule an appointment to try out various wind, brass and percussion instruments.