New Horizons Band starts fall semester Sept. 5

SUNY Fredonia resident ensemble The New Horizons Band of Western New York announces that it is accepting registrations for the Fall Term which begins on Friday, Sept. 5. Celebrating its third anniversary, the band of nearly 50 members recently completed an exciting summer season. The band is living proof that, when it comes to learning to play a musical instrument, it truly is “never too late.”

New Horizons bands offer opportunities for persons who are at least 50 years old to learn to play a band instrument, return to playing a band instrument after a long absence, or to play an instrument they have long enjoyed in a new ensemble. Former players wishing to "reacquaint" themselves with their instruments can join at any time, but novices should join during the fall when group lessons will be a feature of the program.

Starting September 5, the New Horizons Band of Western New York will begin conducting formal group music lessons, ensemble and band rehearsals. The program will include two weekly group lessons on an instrument and two weekly band rehearsals for a total of ten weeks each semester at Mason Hall on the campus of the State University of New York at Fredonia. Lessons, ensembles and band rehearsals will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Cost for the semester program is $95 (not including instrument rental). The New Horizons Band website has more information and registration forms. The office telephone number is 716-673-4628.

Dr. Katherine M. Levy, associate professor of music education, will conduct the band. Advanced music education students in the School of Music will provide instruction.

Dr. Levy is an active conductor and clinician of bands for all ages. She was introduced to New Horizons in 1995 when she became the brass instructor for one of the first New Horizons Bands in Iowa City, Iowa and has since conducted New Horizons Bands in Georgia and Maryland.

“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 is excited about the collaboration of SUNY Fredonia’s music education students with New Horizons members. “It is vitally important that future music teachers understand that music is for the whole community, not just for young people in school,” said Levy.

Recent studies have determined that adults over 50 are the fastest growing segment of the population. New Horizons groups embrace this burgeoning group of Americans, according to Dr. Levy, and offer an activity that seniors can easily adapt to fit their needs.

New Horizons Music groups, the result of a groundbreaking music course at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, have become popular performing ensembles in communities across the U.S. The program is part of the Musical Journeys Program, a community outreach project offered in the Fredonia School of Music.

“The New Horizons program restores intellectual stimulation and opportunity that members had previously relied upon the workplace to provide,” Dr. Levy said. Members of the New Horizons Band often gather following rehearsals at local restaurants.