The New Horizons Band of Western New York will present a free concert on Monday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in King Concert Hall. The concert program will include performances by the band, the New Horizons Brass Quintet and the New Horizons iPad Ensemble. Audience members are asked to bring non-perishable food items to the concert and donations will be given to local food banks.
The New Horizons Band will perform “Lewis and Clark” by Catherine McMichael, “The Gladiator” by John Philip Sousa and arranged by Andrew Balent; “The Skater’s Waltz” by Emile Waldteufel and arranged by Robert Longfield; “Vaquero” by Sammy Nestico, “Folksong Suite” by Antal Farkas and arranged by Tamas Farkas; “Mambo Greats” arranged by Stephen Bulla, the “Theme from Barnaby Jones” by Jerry Goldsmith and arranged by Richard Maltby; and “Meet the Beatles,” arranged by Johnnie Vinson. Dr. Katherine Levy will conduct the New Horizons Band.
Members of the New Horizons band who are also Fredonia alumni will also be conducting select concert pieces. “Flight of Valor,” by James Swearingen will be conducted by Fredonia John Krestic; “Cole Porter: A Symphonic Portrait for Concert Band,” arranged by Wayne Robinson, will be conducted by Donald Keddie; and Pauline Emilson will conduct, “Where the Black Hawk Soars,” by Robert W. Smith.
Under the direction of Fredonia student conductor and coach Andrea Patti, the New Horizons Brass Quintet will perform, “Celebration of Spring,” by Felix Mendelssohn; “Which is the Properest Day to Sing?” by Thomas Arne; “March of the Priests,” from The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; and lastly, “There Shall Be Singing,” from Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem.. All pieces performed by the quintet are arranged by Himie Voxman.
The new Horizons iPad Ensemble, directed by student ensemble coach Kristina Verrico, will be performing, “New Horizons Days,” based on, “School Days,” by Chuck Berry. The use of iPad tablets to create music was made possible by the Fredonia School of Music and a SUNY-wide Innovative Instruction Technology Grant.
Immediately following the concert, there will be a cookie reception in the Fredonia Art Gallery, and all performers and audience members are invited to attend.
The 60-member band was launched by Dr. Levy at the Fredonia School of Music in 1995. All band members are over age 50 and are interested in learning to play a band instrument, returning to performance after a long absence or they are continuing to improve their skill level with an instrument they have long enjoyed. The band draws its members from Angola, Brocton, Cassadaga, Derby, Dunkirk, Forestville, Fredonia, Lakewood, Lily Dale, Portland, Sheridan, Silver Creek, Sinclairville, Strykersville and Westfield.
“Music making is just too much fun to leave only to younger folks,” said Levy, associate professor of music education at Fredonia. “Almost anyone can enjoy learning to play a musical instrument when good instruction, a friendly environment, and lots of helping hands are available.”
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 detailed information is available online at www.fredonia.edu/music/community/newhorizons or by calling 716-673-4628. Those interested who are not sure what instrument to play may contact Levy at 716-673-3401 to schedule an appointment to try various wind, brass and percussion instruments.
