 Left to right are Rick Lundquist, Forestville; John Vona, Silver Creek; Mike Dunn, Lakewood; Charles Borzillire, Silver Creek; Patricia Mikula-Olmstead, Cassadaga; and Frank Needham, Angola. |
The New Horizons Band of Western New York will present a Spring Concert at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29 at Fredonia High School Auditorium in Fredonia, N.Y. 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 New Horizons Band, conducted by Dr. Katherine Levy, will perform “Encanto” by Robert W. Smith; “Ammerland” by Jacob de Haan; “Highlights from ‘Annie’” arranged by Johnnie Vinson; “Get Smart” arranged by Michael Brown and “New Horizons Overture” by Jim Mahaffey.
The NHB Saxophone Quartet will open the concert with the National Anthem. Other ensembles including the saxophone quartet, brass quintet, woodwind quintet, horn ensemble and German Band will also perform. Musical selections from the small ensembles include “Theme from ‘The Muppet Show’,” “When I’m 64,” and “Ave Verum.”
The band under the direction of Dr. Katherine Levy was launched by the SUNY Fredonia School of Music four 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 45 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 during the month of July. No lessons will be offered during the summer session. Cost of the summer term is only $20. The summer session will conclude with concerts in Brocton, Fredonia and Bemus Point. This is a great opportunity for former players to get in shape!
Dr. Katherine M. Levy, associate 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.
Members of the band are residents of the following communities:
Angola: Frank Needham, David Stout, Janet Stout
Bemus Point: Cathy Norton
Brocton: Lynn Utegg
Cassadaga: Eric Kroon, Patricia Mikula-Olmstead, Robert Taylor
Dunkirk: Alona Forbes, Sam Fote, Jim Gibbons, Doris LaSpada, Daniel Miceli,
Larry Perdue, Dorothy Schrantz
East Aurora: Cheryl Pfaff
Eden: James Doctor
Forestville: Rick Lundquist
Fredonia: Carol Calarco, Charles Erbsmehl, Frank DiNoto, Mary Ann Frazita, Susan Hardy, Gregory Harper, Joann Joy, Ronald Joy, Donald Keddie, Bill Loftus, Sharon Morrison, Jacqueline Paddock,
Judie Paternosh, Judy Reynolds, Beverly Ruska, Janine Scaccia, Ronald Scaccia, Barb Servatius, Sheila Siragusa, David Tiffany, Judy Waterman, James Wilcox
Lakewood: Michael Dunn
Lily Dale: Paula Vogt
Portland: Larry McFadden
Silver Creek: Charles Borzillire, Bud Lowery, John Vona
Stockton: Donna Meder
Strykersville: Donna Perry
Westfield: Barbara Kittle, Phyllis Noble, Roxanne Wood
