New Horizons Band

New Horizons Band photo

 

Summer 2024 

New Horizons Band
Saturday Mornings
Music Building | Western University

Beginner I (returning Fall 2024)
Beginner II (returning Fall 2024)
Intermediate (returning Fall 2024)
Europe Bound Band 
Advanced I & II
Jazz/Blues/Intermediate

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 

Returns Fall 2024; not offered in Winter/Summer sessions

  • 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

Returns Fall 2024; not offered in Winter/Summer sessions

  • 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 – Combined Advanced I & II 

Eric Heidenheim, Conductor
Band | 9–11:30am
8 Sessions | $120+HST | Schedule 

  • Designed for those Advanced I & II (& Intermediate folks who want a challenge) band folks who will not be heading to Belgium/France on the NHB trip, Summer 2024. Join this band, have fun for the summer session and further enhance your musical talents.
  • Register below


Jazz/Blues/Intermediate

Andy Chelchowski, Conductor
Band | 9-11:30am
8 Sessions | $120+HST | Schedule

  • Designed to be a band with a jazz/blues focus. Intro to improvising using a blues scales and other techniques, improving your rhythmic and melodic/jazz swing feel, and working on fun/engaging music. All instruments are welcome.

Europe Bound Band

Mark Enns and Mary Gillard, Conductors
Band | 9-11:30am
8 Sessions | $120+HST | Schedule

  • Designed exclusively for those who will be heading to Belgium/France on the NHB trip, July 2024. You will join in-person rehearsals to fine tune the music being performed while on your trip

SUMMER 2024 SCHEDULE

For all above Saturday-morning groups: 

  • May 4, 11
  • Note: no session on May 18!
  • May 25
  • June 1, 8, 15, 20*, 22
*Thursday 6–8:30pm evening rehearsal

 

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/Summer 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/Summer 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

 

Summer 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