New Horizons Band

New Horizons Band photo

 

Winter 2024 

New Horizons Band
Saturday Mornings
Music Building | Western University

Beginner I (returning Fall 2024)
Beginner II
Intermediate
Advanced I
Advanced II
Jazz/Blues

register

Lost at "C"
Monday evenings
Mount Zion United Church

Once a Quartet
Thursday evenings
Banting Secondary School/A.B. Lucas


Contact Info

Brenda Smith
New Horizons Band Coordinator
519-661-2111 x82974
bsmit32@uwo.ca

Western’s program was the first New Horizons Band in Canada, and remains one of the largest adult programs of its kind in North America. We have 200+ members over the five band levels.

Join New Horizons Band if you want to:

  • learn how to play a band instrument (not offered during summer session)
  • brush up your playing skills from the past
  • meet new people
  • have a whole lot of fun

The program provides instruction (not offered during summer session) to adults―whether 25 or 95―wishing to learn (or re-learn) to play wind or percussion instruments:

  • flute
  • oboe
  • clarinet
  • saxophone
  • trumpet
  • French horn
  • trombone
  • tuba/euphonium
  • percussion

Why join New Horizons Band?

As we age, research shows that playing a musical instrument as an adult in particular can be beneficial for your health:
  • develops fine motor control skills
  • improves breath control
  • renews a sense of purpose
  • expands circle of friends
  • broadens your musical interests

What do we do?

1. NEW HORIZONS CONCERT BANDS

There are five New Horizons Bands, beginner through advanced, plus a Jazz/Blues group. These ensembles all rehearse Saturdays at the Don Wright Faculty of Music.

Both our Fall and Winter sessions follow the academic year (September through early April). Some ensembles are also offered during a Summer session during May and June. 

All instrument instruction provided for the Beginner / Beginner II / Intermediate band levels will be in a group setting for each respective instrument, and by each band level, during both the Fall and Winter terms. Please note: instrument instruction is not provided during the Summer session, and not all band levels are offered every season.

The core New Horizons Bands are:

New Horizons Concert Band – Beginner I

Returns Fall 2024; not offered in Winter/Summer sessions

  • It's never too late to learn to play an instrument! No previous experience or note-reading ability is required to join Beginner I. 
  • You must arrange for your own instrument – if you don't already have one, you can either rent or purchase instruments.
  • Beginner I consists of one hour of instrument instruction, and one hour of band. An optional rhythm/theory class is also available for those students wanting to learn more.


New Horizons Concert Band – Beginner II
 

Mark Enns, Conductor
Instrument instruction | 8:30–10am 
Optional theory class | 10:15–11:30am 
Band | 11:45am–1pm 
12 Sessons | $200+HST (includes book) | Schedule

  • You will have completed the NHB Beginner program or equivalent and are ready to step up to the next level of instruction.
  • Session consists of 75 minutes of sectional instruction, an optional rhythm/theory class with Andy Chelchowski, plus one hour of band.
  • Blue Standard of Excellence book is included in registration fee.
  • Register below


New Horizons Concert Band – Intermediate

Mary Gillard, Conductor
Instrument instruction | 10:15–11:30am
Band | 11:45am–1pm
12 Sessions | $185+HST | Schedule

  • Designed for those who have already participated in the Beginner/Beginner II session (or equivalent), or who have had similar band experience (1 year to 2 years' experience). Session consists of a 75 minute sectional instruction plus one hour of band.
  • Register below


New Horizons Concert Band – Advanced I 

Mary Gillard, Conductor
Band | 9–11:30am
12 Sessions | $185+HST | Schedule 

  • Designed for those who have played a musical instrument for at least two years or those who have completed Intermediate Band and wish to further enhance their musical talents. Session consists of two and a half hours of band. 
  • Each Advanced band has opportunities to perform throughout the term
  • Register below


New Horizons Concert Band – Advanced II

Mark Enns, Conductor
Band | 9–11:30am
12 Sessions | $185+HST | Schedule

  • Building on Advanced I, Advanced II is for those who wish to continue enhancing their musical talents. Session consists of two and a half hours of band. 
  • Each Advanced band has opportunities to perform throughout the term
  • Travel opportunities! Groups of NHB members (from various band levels) occasionally tour European countries. These trips are open to all NHB members who enjoy travelling with like-minded participants for 7 to 10 fun and music-filled days. Recent trips have included Poland, Ireland, Germany and Austria.
  • Register below


Jazz/Blues

Andy Chelchowski, Conductor
Band | 11:45-1pm
12 Sessions | Free* | Schedule

  • We are excited to once again offer a band session with a jazz/blues focus. We'll be working on the basics of improvising using blues scales and other techniques, improving your rhythmic and melodic jazz/swing feel, and working on fun/engaging music. All instruments are welcome.
  • This band will rehearses at the same time as our Intermediate band. We invite Advanced band members to stay on for another hour of music-making, or if you are an Intermediate level person you could join this band after your instrument instruction.
  • *FREE for any currently registered member of Advanced II, Advanced I, Intermediate bands or NHB small ensembles Lost at C and Once A Quartet.
  • There is no online registration for this Jazz/Blues band; please contact Brenda Smith directly or email her at bsmit32@uwo.ca if you are interested in joining this band.

WINTER 2024 SCHEDULE

For all above Saturday-morning groups: 

  • January 6, 13, 20, 28*
  • February 3, 10, 17, 25*
  • March 3*, 10*, 17*, 23 (final concert)
*Sunday afternoon rehearsals

 

ASSOCIATED SMALL ENSEMBLES


Lost at "C"

Emily Rouse, Conductor
Monday evenings | Mount Zion United Church
16 Sessions | $128+HST ($8/wk)

  • NHB associated band that rehearses on Mondays at Mount Zion.
  • For more info, contact NHB coordinator bsmit32@uwo.ca
  • Winter 2024 schedule: 
    • January 8, 15, 22, 29
    • February 5, 12, 26
    • March 4, 11, 18, 25
    • April 1, 8, 16, 22 (Monday evening concert Oak Crossing), 27 (Saturday concert Covent Market), 29
    • May 1 (Wednesday evening concert Wolf Hall)


Once a Quartet

Eric Heidenheim, Conductor
Thursday evenings | Banting and A.B. Lucas Secondary Schools
20 Sessions | $160+HST ($8/wk)

  • NHB associated band that rehearses on Thursdays at Banting or A.B. Lucas Secondary Schools.
  • For more info, contact NHB coordinator bsmit32@uwo.ca
  • Winter 2024 schedule: 
    • January 11, 18, 25
    • February 8, 15, 22, 29
    • March 7, 21, 28
    • April 11, 18, 25
    • May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
    • June 6, 13

 


FAQ

 

Winter 2024 Registration

Registration requires 2 steps for each individual participant:

  1. The sign-up form (button below)
  2. Payment on Western's secure payment platform, PurplePay. A payment link is provided on successful submission of the sign-up form.

Please register for one ensemble only.

Want to register for 2 or more people? Please register and pay for each individual separately. Thank you! 

Register Here

 


Recordings

Video

Click on the following link(s) to view community-supplied recordings on YouTube:

Audio

Click on the links below to listen to an audience member's recording of Lost at C's December 5, 2018 performance at Wolf Performance Hall, London Public Library.


20th Anniversary Celebration

Thanks to all who joined us for the New Horizons Band’s 20th anniversary Celebration concert in November 2019!
View photos (Flickr)


European Tours

  • 2005: Vienna, Budapest, Prague
  • 2007: Paris, Vimy, Brugge, Amsterdam
  • 2009: Stockholm, Tallinn, Helsinki
  • 2011: Rome, Florence, Venice
  • 2013: Berlin, Luebeck, Copenhagen
  • 2015: Edinburgh, York, London
  • 2017: Krakow, Wroclaw, Warsaw
  • 2019: Belfast, Galway, Dublin
  • 2022: Germany, Austria

Awards

once a quartet- new horizons band photo


Roy Ernst Award

Congratulations to Allan B. Capp, a recipient of the New Horizons International Music Association Roy Ernst Award. Allan has not missed a practice in his many years of membership and his beautiful tuba sound is enjoyed by all band members. He has joined many of the Europe trips with the band, taking his tuba wherever it is needed. Allan's constant presence in the band exemplifies perseverance, a passion for music and commitment to lifelong learning. His band members are grateful to have been working with him for all these years.

New Horizons Band Roy Ernst Award - Allan B Capp New Horizons Band Roy Ernst Award - Allan B Capp
Dean Michael Kim, Advanced II Conductor Mark Enns, and Allan Capp - photos courtesy Don Kaikkonen


Contact Information

Brenda Smith
New Horizons Band Coordinator
519-661-2111 x82974
bsmit32@uwo.ca


Image Gallery