Contact Marc Levy of the Fredonia School of Music
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The New Horizons Band of Western New York will present a Spring Concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 3 at Fredonia High School Auditorium in Fredonia, NY. 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 “Irish Vision” arranged by Sean O’Loughlin, “Songs of the Whalemen” by Elliot Del Borgo, “Spy Chase” by Brant Karrick, “Mission: Impossible Theme” by Lalo Schifrin, arranged by Paul Murtha, “An American Hymntune (Amazing Grace)” arranged by Robert Sheldon, and “Westward Ho!” arranged by Warren Barker. “God Bless America” by Irving Berlin arranged by John Edmondson will be conducted by New Horizons Assistant Joseph DeDionisio.
In addition, the New Horizons Brass ensemble and other chamber ensembles of New Horizons band members will also perform.
The band under the direction of Dr. Katherine Levy was launched by the SUNY Fredonia School of Music last year 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 SUNY Fredonia in Mason Hall. The band is off to great start with an enrollment of 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.
By popular demand, a special summer band session will be held from Monday, July 9 through Wednesday, Aug. 1. Summer band rehearsals will be on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. No lessons will be offered during the summer session. Cost of the summer term is only $20. The summer session will conclude with a concert in a location still to be determined. This is a great opportunity for former players to get in shape!
Dr. Katherine M. Levy, assistant 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 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.
Members of the band and their hometowns are:
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Angola: Frank Needham, David Stout, Janet Stout
Bemus Point: Cathy Norton
Cassadaga: Eric Kroon
Dunkirk: Alona Forbes, Jim Gibbons, Doris LaSpada
Forestville: Rick Lundquist
Fredonia: Charles Erbsmehl, Mary Ann Frazita, Gregory Harper, Joann Joy, Ronald Joy, Sharon Morrison, Mary Nichols, Jacqueline Paddock, Judie Paternosh, Beverly Ruska, Barb Servatius, Judy Waterman, James Wilcox
Jamestown: Debbie Rasmussen
Lakewood: Michael Dunn
Lily Dale: Paula Vogt
Portland: Thomas Kozlowski, Janine Scaccia, Ronald Scaccia
Silver Creek: David Kent, Bud Lowery, John Vona
Stockton: Donna Meder
Strykersville: Donna Perry
Westfield: Phyllis Noble, Roxanne Wood
