The New Horizons Band of Western New York will present a spring concert at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28 in King Concert Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.
School of Music Associate Professor Katherine Levy will conduct “Parade March for the King’s Mounted Hunters” by Richard Strauss and arranged by Don Owen; “Castle, Loch and Heath (A Suite of English Folk Songs)” arranged by James D. Ployhar; “Bunch O’ Bones” by Richard Fote with soloists Jim Wilmoth, Bill Loftus, Doug Corell and Larry McFadden; selections from “They’re Playing Our Song” music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, and arranged by Jerry Nowak; and “Up From Earth’s Center” by Rob Romeyn.
The Fredonia Elementary Fourth Grade Select Chorus will sing “Mozart’s Messy Room Sonata” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and arranged by Phyllis Wolfe to be conducted by Fredonia alumna and adjunct School of Music faculty member Laurie Tramuta.
The Fredonia Elementary Fourth Grade Select Chorus and the New Horizons Band will perform highlights from the Broadway Musical “Annie” with music by Martin Charnin, lyrics by Charles Strouse, and arranged by Johnnie Vinson to be conducted Mrs. Tramuta. Dr. Levy will conduct “God Bless America” by Irving Berlin and arranged by John Edmondson.
“Chanson” by Richard Fote will be conducted by John Krestic; Donald Keddie will conduct “Overture for Winds” by Charles Carter; and Pauline Emilson will conduct “Instant Concert” arranged by Harold Walters.
The New Horizon Jazz Band will perform “Honeysuckle Rose” music by Thomas “Fats” Waller, with lyrics by Andy Razaf, and arranged by Greg Yasinitsky, to be conducted by Fredonia student Brendon Bardo; “You Made Me Love You (I didn’t want to do it)” with music by James V. Monaco, lyrics by Joseph McCarthy, and arranged by Mark Taylor, to be conducted by Fredonia student Paul Sottnik.
There will be a cookie and punch reception following the concert in the Marion Art Gallery.
Members of The New Horizons Band of Western New York live in the following communities: Angola, Brocton, Cassadaga, Derby, Dunkirk, Forestville, Fredonia, Lakewood, Lily Dale, Portland, Sheridan, Silver Creek, Sinclairville, Strykersville and Westfield.
The band, under the direction of Dr. Levy, was launched by the Fredonia School of Music nine years ago and 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, 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 Fredonia’s Mason Hall. The band has an enrollment of more than 60 musicians. The average band member age of the New Horizons Band of Western New York is 63. Band member ages range from the early 50s into the 80s.
By popular demand, a special New Horizons Band-Only session is held during the month of July. No lessons are offered during the special session. The summer session concludes with concerts in local venues.
Advanced music education students in the School of Music provide group lesson instruction. Levy 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. She 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,” Levy said. “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 information about New Horizons music efforts and the New Horizons Band of Western New York is available online at www.fredonia.edu/music or call 716-673-4628. Those 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.
