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Concert Nov. 17 at Forestville High School Auditorium:
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The New Horizons Band of Western New York will present a Fall Concert at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at Forestville High School Auditorium in Forestville, NY.
The concert is free, but the Forestville High School Band Council will be accepting food (non-perishable) and monetary donations for the Forestville Neighbor to Neighbor Food Pantry.
The New Horizons Band, conducted by Dr. Katherine Levy, will perform “Nordic Sketches” by Pierre LaPlante; “The Mystery of Duffy’s Cut” by Robert Sheldon; “New Ashmolean Marching Society and Students Conservatory Band” by Frank Loesser, arranged by Paul Yoder; “Canto” by W. Francis McBeth; “Sinfoina No. 4” by Timothy Broege; “Harlem Nocturne” by Dick Rogers and Earle Hagen, arranged by Paul Murtha; and “The Birth of Rock and Roll” arranged by Johnnie Vinson.
Donald Keddie, retired band director from Fredonia Central School District will conduct the German Band and Woodwind Ensemble in several selections. Karen Boyd, retired band director from Brocton Central School District will conduct “Niagara Overture” by Richard Fote.
The NHB Jazz Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, Brass Ensemble and a Viola Duet will also perform.
There will be a special pre-concert performance starting at 6 pm. The Big Bore Brass Tuba Choir under the direction of Bud Lowery will perform several Holiday Carols. The Tuba Choir includes members from the New Horizons Band along with some special guests.
The band under the direction of Dr. Katherine Levy was launched by the SUNY Fredonia School of Music six years ago 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 band program includes two weekly group lessons on an instrument and two weekly band rehearsals at SUNY Fredonia in Mason Hall. The band has an enrollment of nearly 60 musicians. The average age of the New Horizons Band of Western New York is nearly 63 years ranging in age from the early 50s to the late 70s.
The New Horizons Band will continue with group lessons and band rehearsals in early February. No previous background in music or on an instrument is necessary to join. Members can testify that it is possible to learn to play an instrument as a senior adult! A special three week session of band rehearsals will be held during the month of January, on Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 3 to 4:30 pm, starting on January 5.
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.
