Item: New Horizons Band Program for Seniors Comes to Burlington
 |
| New Horizons Band, Woodbridge |
Do people over 50 even feel like senior citizens these days? If the number of exciting opportunities available to that demographic means anything, it means that the over-fifty crowd is not letting couch-potato syndrome take over any time soon!
The New Horizons Band Program has been catching on like wildfire around southwestern Ontario. Adult concert bands are springing up in Guelph, Peterborough, Toronto, London and now Burlington, with rapid growth and much enthusiasm.
Community Spirit
What are the benefits of being in a New Horizons band? The satisfaction of fulfilling a life-long dream is an important motivator for many. Meeting new friends or deepening existing friendships is another benefit. That’s especially exciting when friendships are built around a common love for music, and the shared challenge of band rehearsal and performance. Community spirit and service is another benefit. The New Horizon band will be performing in your community. It’s not all about what you get, but what you can give as well.
So if you’ve been holding off on your lifelong desire to play an instrument, here’s your chance.
Exciting Growth To 300 Bands
Research has proven that music “makes you smarter” by engaging your brain in a unique way. With this in mind in 1993, Dr. Roy Ernst of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester originated the New Horizons Instrumental Band program for adults 50 and up. The program has grown to include over 300 seniors’ bands all over the world. It is operating with great success in Peterborough, Kitchener, and Toronto and is finally coming to Burlington in September of 2012.
The program will be organized and taught by two retired high school music teachers, Jim Heaslip and Jenny Peace, who have over 60 years of teaching experience between them.
Classes will take place on Tuesdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. An initial organizing class will be held on Tuesday, September 25 at the Music Centre in Burlington.
Long & McQuade Will Assist With Rentals Or Purchases Of Instruments
New students will be accepted at any time. No experience is necessary and no auditions will be held. All that you need is an instrument and a method book and everything else will be provided. Long and McQuade has agreed to assist students in renting or buying instruments. You can also dust off that instrument that was put in the closet thirty years ago and refresh your musical skills from your younger years.
Classes will be relaxed and informal with a break for coffee, goodies and conversation in the middle. Theory will be taught or reviewed as needed and performance opportunities will be a definite possibility. The cost of the program is $350 for 34 two-hour classes.
This is wonderful chance to learn something new, to connect with other people in a very special way, and to have fun.
The motto of the New Horizons Program is “Your Best is Good Enough” so come on out and give it a try.
For specific times and locations of the classes or other information contact Jenny at jennifer.peace@sympatico.ca. 905-637-4992
