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The concert is free, but the band would appreciate donations of non-perishable food that will be donated to the Food Pantry of the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry.
The program will include “An Angel Fantasie” arranged by Douglas Akey, “Shaker Variants” by Elliot del Borgo, “Shenandoah Triptych” arranged by Brian Balmages, “Balladair” by Frank Erickson, “Tamarac Overture” by John Edmonson, “Deck the Halls” arranged by Roland Barrett, and “Tribute to Count Basie” including “April in Paris,” “Li’l Darlin,” “Until I Met You (Corner Pocket)” and “All of Me,” arranged by John Moss
Ensembles of saxophones, brass, and woodwinds will add duets, trios, carols and jazz to the program.
The band, under the direction of Dr. Katherine Levy, was launched by the SUNY Fredonia School of Music two 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 more than 40 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 2008. 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 four-week session of band rehearsals will be held during the month of January on Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 3 to 4:30 p.m., starting Jan. 2, 2008.
Dr. Levy, assistant professor of music education at Fredonia, 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 Dr. 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, Iowa.
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 or interested persons can call 716-673-4628. Those who are not sure what instrument to play are asked to contact Dr. Levy at 716-673-3401 to schedule an appointment to try out various wind, brass and percussion instruments.
