Never Too Late: New Horizons Music Lets Adults Learn and Play Music Together

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Thursday, January 17, 2019, 10:44 am
By: 
Daniel Zarka

Michigan State University’s Community Music School has opportunities for adults of any age and any musical skill level to learn to play an instrument. An open house to find out more about musical opportunities will take place Sunday, January 20th from 3-5pm at the school, located at 4930 S. Hagadorn Road.

One program for adult learners is New Horizons Music. Started in 1991 at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York by Dr. Roy Ernst, the program was designed to give adults the opportunity to learn and play band instruments in a low-pressure and friendly setting. The original program was open to both adult beginners and those that had not played in many years.

In the time since those first classes in Rochester, interest has grown, and other New Horizons music programs have been started in hundreds of locations around the world.

In 2003, local music educator Patti Kroth started a chapter of New Horizons Band through the MSU Community Music School. The idea was well received, and membership has remained steady with well over 60 adults currently playing in one of three different New Horizons bands, including two concert bands and a jazz band, taught by four different directors. New members are welcome to join any time, and prospective members are encouraged to sit in on a rehearsal to see what it is like.

While it may seem daunting to take on a challenge like learning an instrument, especially for adults, the New Horizons Music program is designed to be a less intimidating environment. Learning as a group offers social support from others going through the same experiences.

The new semester for New Horizons Music at the MSU Community Music school starts at the end of January and, for the first time, will include a New Horizons Strings program. Anyone that is looking for an entry or reentry point for playing in a string orchestra or playing a wind/percussion instrument in a concert band is welcome to contact the Community Music School at (517)-355-7661.

There is also a new website created to showcase the East Lansing New Horizons Music program including pictures and videos of members and recent performances: https://eastlansingnewhorizonsmusic.weebly.com/.

 

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