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New Horizons Band

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?

• 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 or Sundays (varying from week to week and term to term) 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*
*Not offered Winter 2025. Returns Fall 2025.

Past info (Fall 2024) Andy Chelchowski, Conductor
Instrument Instruction | 8–9:20am
Band | 9:30–10:30am
Optional Rhythm/Theory class (with Andy Chelchowski) | 10:30–11:30am
12 Sessons | $235+HST 

• 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 

• 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 | Saturday sessions 10:15–11:30am | Sunday sessions 2:40–3:45pm
Band | Saturday sessions 11:45am–1pm | Sunday sessions 4:00-5:00pm
12 Sessions | $190+HST | Winter 2025 calendar

• 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 & II

If an intermediate band member is ready for more challenging music, they may choose either the Advanced I or Advanced II band as they continue their musical journey. The degree of difficulty between the Advanced I and II bands is the same but the type of music played reflects the conductor's individual choice of music. The Advanced II band gives back to the community by performing at least one community outreach concert such as a retirement home, hospital, or mall each term. The level of this outreach repertoire is intermediate with some easy advanced music.

New Horizons Concert Band – Advanced I 

• 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 

• 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

Jazz/Blues Intermediate

• We are excited to be once again offering a band session with a jazz/blues focus at the same time as our Intermediate band. 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 rehearse from 11:45 - 1pm; we invite Lost at C, Once A Quartet, and Advanced band members to enjoy another hour of music making at no additional cost! If you are an Intermediate level person, you could join this band after your instrument instruction instead of playing in the Intermediate band.
• Register below

 

ASSOCIATED SMALL ENSEMBLES

Lost at "C" 

Emily Rouse, Conductor

• NHB associated band that rehearses on Mondays at Mount Zion.
• For more info, contact NHB coordinator  bsmit32@uwo.ca
  
• Winter 2025 schedule:
  • January 6, 13, 20, 27
  • February 3, 10, 24
  • March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
  • April 7, 14, 21, 26
  • May 5, 7, 10
    

Once a Quartet

• NHB associated band that rehearses on Thursdays
• For more info, contact NHB coordinator  bsmit32@uwo.ca
• Winter 2025 schedule: 
  • January 9, 16, 23
  • February 6, 13, 20, 27
  • March 20, 27
  • April 3, 10, 17, 24
  • May 1

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FAQ

• Frequently Asked Questions about New Horizons Band (PDF)  

 

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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

HST number: 10816 2587 RT0001

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Recordings

Video

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

• NHB Fall 2024
• NHB March 2024
• NHB December 2023
• NHB April 2023
• NHB November 2022

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.

• Recording: Lost at C - Dec 5, 2018 - part 1
• Recording: Lost at C - Dec 5, 2018 - part 2

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25th Anniversary Celebration

2024 marks 25 years since the start of New Horizons Band at Western! Read the article featured in the Western Alumni Magazine (Fall 2024 Edition) to learn more about the program.
Read article - In Tune: After 25 years, Western’s New Horizons bands are still a huge draw for amateur musicians  

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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)

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European Tours

• 2024: France ( read more at this  personal blog post from NHB tour participant Natasha Regehr)
• 2022: Germany, Austria
• 2019: Belfast, Galway, Dublin
• 2017: Krakow, Wroclaw, Warsaw
• 2015: Edinburgh, York, London
• 2013: Berlin, Luebeck, Copenhagen
• 2011: Rome, Florence, Venice
• 2009: Stockholm, Tallinn, Helsinki
• 2007: Paris, Vimy, Brugge, Amsterdam
• 2005: Vienna, Budapest, Prague

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Awards

• NHB Once A Quartet - Gold Certificate - St Thomas Rotary Festival (PDF)

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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.

 
Dean Michael Kim, Advanced II Conductor Mark Enns, and Allan Capp -  photos courtesy Don Kaikkonen

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Contact Information

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

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Image Gallery