The New Horizons Band of Western New York will present a Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2 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 “Highlights of the Music Man” by Meredith Wilson arranged by Alfred Reed, “Early One Morning” by Pierre La Plante, “Little Europe” by Johan Nijs, “Bist Du Bei Mir” by Johann Sebastian Bach arranged by Jacob de Haan, “Thanks for the Memory” arranged by Ted Ricketts and “New Horizons March” by Jack Hossfeld and Jud Goodrich.
In addition, several New Horizons ensembles including a woodwind quintet, woodwind trio, percussion ensemble, saxophone quartet and a trombone ensemble will also perform.
The band, under the direction of Dr. Katherine Levy, was launched by the SUNY Fredonia School of Music three 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 SUNY Fredonia in Mason Hall. The band has an enrollment of 46 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 session will be held from Monday, July 7 through Wednesday, July 30. 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 the Barker Common Gazebo in the Village of Fredonia on Thursday, July 31. 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 at www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-schools/school-music/music/communit… 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.
###
Cutline: (L-R) NHB clarinet section: Judie Paternosh, Fredonia; Cathy Norton, Bemus Point; Judy Waterman, Fredonia; Barb Servatius, Fredonia; and Roxanne Wood, Westfield.
New Horizons Band of Western New York
Members of the band are residents of the following communities:
Angola
Frank Needham
David Stout
Janet Stout
Bemus Point
Cathy Norton
Cassadaga
Eric Kroon
Patricia Mikula
Kathi Runkle
Chautauqua
Alice O’Grady
Dunkirk
Alona Forbes
Jim Gibbons
Doris LaSpada
Larry Perdue
Betty McKinney
Dorothy Schrantz
Eden
James Doctor
Forestville
Rick Lundquist
Fredonia
Charles Erbsmehl
Mary Ann Frazita
Susan Hardy
Gregory Harper
Joann Joy
Ronald Joy
Bill Loftus
Sharon Morrison
Mary Nichols
Jacqueline Paddock
Judie Paternosh
Beverly Ruska
Janine Scaccia
Ron Scaccia
Barb Servatius
Judy Waterman
James Wilcox
Hamburg
Dennison (Denny) Heuer
Lakewood
Michael Dunn
Lily Dale
Paula Vogt
Portland
Thomas Kozlowski
Larry McFadden
Roxanne McFadden
Silver Creek
Bud Lowery
John Vona
Stockton
Donna Meder
Strykersville
Donna Perry
Westfield
Barbara Kittle
Phyllis Noble
Roxanne Wood
