New Horizons Band of Lexington Kentucky

Band Gets New Home, New Asst. Director

steve — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:14:58 +0000

We will open 0ur 2010-11 season with an Open House in in a new home Saturday, Aug. 28, at 11 a.m. at the School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA), 400 Lafayette Parkway, Lexington.

“Our new home base for the year will be Fayette County’s School for Creative and Performing Arts,” said Music Director Cheryl Burgess Amstutz. “We were fortunate to have been partners with Central Academy for more than two years, but we simply outgrew it.”

Also new this fall is the addition of Assistant Greg Spinger, a graduate student at the University of Kentucky, who will join Amstutz for the new season, according to Dr. David Sogin, director of music education at the UK School of Music, which sponsors our band.

For more information come to our Open House Saturday, or contact our ur new member coordinator, Jim Stone, at jastone@iglou.com.

NHB Exhibits At Local Senior Health Fairs

steve — Wed, 26 May 2010 02:06:53 +0000

The New Horizons Band will have informational booths at two local senior health fairs in Lexington. We will be at the Beaumont Center YMCA Senior Day from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 27. On Saturday, June 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the band will have an exhibit at the UK Sanders-Brown Alzheimer’s Disease Center Senior Health Fair — “Mind Matters” — to be held at the Second Presbyterian Church on Main St. downtown. We’ll do plenty of visiting, maybe some playing, looking for new recruits! If you’re out and about, drop by.

“Bach, Broadway & Big Band” Was A Huge Success!

steve — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:08:45 +0000

Our spring concert, May 11, “Bach, Broadway & Big band,” was a huge success . . . at least the band thought so! We had a great audience, and the Central Christian Church in Lexington was a beautiful place to play our music. Music Director Cheryl Amstutz shared conducting duties with UK student instructors Callie Holman, Alvin Lane, and Will Stafford. The program included “Bist Du Bei Mir” (Bach), “Thunder and Blazes,” (Fucik), “Danny Boy,” (arr. Warren Barker), “Colonel Bogey,” (Kenneth J. Alford), “In The Mood,” (Joe Garland), “Highlights from My Fair Lady,” (Frederick Loewe), “I Got Rhythm,” (George Gershwin), and “Gershwin Classics,” (George Gershwin).

The band is off for the summer. We’ll be starting up again in the fall, and looking forward to a new season, with new music and maybe some new members.

Spring 2010 Rehearsals Begin Jan.30

steve — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:27:48 +0000

We are beginning our Spring 2010 semester Saturday, Jan. 30, at 10 a.m. with an open rehearsal at the Central Music Academy, 240 Clark St., Lexington.

Rehearsals are held on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon. Tuition for the course is $80 per semester (not including instrument rental — available through Don Wilson Music, Southland Drive, Lexington). The New Horizons program provides an opportunity for people over 50 to renew their interest in band music. Instrumentation includes wind, brass, and percussion instruments only.

For information about joining Spring 2010, attend the Jan. 30 rehearsal, or contact our new member coordinator, jastone@iglou.com.

Fall Concert Dec. 5 Was a Great Experience

steve — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:16:22 +0000

The band had a wonderful experience Dec. 5 at its Fall Concert in the University of Kentucky Singletary Center recital hall. Everyone “dressed up pretty good,” and played some great music together. Pre-concert music was provided by the Coliseum Brass Quintet led by our own brass instructor, Callie Peterson.

The band is now on holiday break. We will re-convene sometime in late January or early February for the Spring Semester.

Billie Jo and Dick Attend NH Band Camp

steve — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:04:12 +0000

Billie Jo Dandeneau and New Horizons Founder Roy Ernst

Billie Jo and Dick Dandeneau had the great pleasure of attending the New Horizons Band Camp at Chautauqua, New York, Oct. 4-8, 2009. More than 200 participants attended from all over the U.S. and Canada.

The Camp was directed by Dr. Roy Ernst, the founder of New Horizons Music. The directors and instructors were all excellent, as was the music the bands played. They said that it was so much fun to join with strangers from all walks of life who shared the common interest of a love of making music together.

Dick and Billie Jo reported that the experience was really wonderful. The weather was terrible, but the music, food, and camaraderie were excellent! “We had a terrific time and definitely plan to attend more camps. We met some wonderful people and highly recommend the camp to anyone interested in sharing the joy of making music together.”

“The weather outside was frightful, but the music in our hearts was delightful!”

(With apologies to Irvin Berlin!)

MEET JOY! – A FINE FLAUTIST AND CHARTER BAND MEMBER

steve — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:31:59 +0000

The pleasures that I receive in participating with the NH band are great!! I joined three semesters ago after seeing a small notice in the paper. It stated that I could relearn my instrument, and after 53 years of not playing the flute, I am enjoying where this road is taking me. I had sold my flute while in medical training because I didn’t have money for family Christmas gifts. About twenty years ago, my sons gave me a new flute, but circumstances prevented me from playing. When I found the NH group, it was a wonderful opportunity to play and relearn with them. There were about 10 members at that time, and we now have over 25, which should demonstrate the importance of this opportunity to all older people. I am now playing in two bands and a flute group. This has become an important part of my life and the wonderful people that I have met, is astounding. We are sharing and keeping each other young at heart!!

(We’re working on a picture of her).

New Horizons March Lyrics

steve — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:31:37 +0000

Now we have to sing!

Here are the lyrics to the New Horizons March which we may be playing and singing at some future time. Regular sized sheet music will be available at rehearsal. This is just a preview. Let’s be sure that we sing all the flats!!!

(Click Each Sheet to Enlarge)

2009-2010 SEASON IS UNDERWAY!

steve — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:13:39 +0000

Membership

After a successful Open House Sept. 12, the “Bluegrass State Band,” the first New Horizons band in Lexington and in Kentucky, held its first rehearsal Saturday, Sept. 19. The band roster now totals 26 active members, which is remarkable considering our 2007 roster was just 10. Most of our members were at the first rehearsal, and everyone had great fun, great food, and made great (well . . . sometimes) music.

Band Organization

The official name of the band is “Bluegrass State Band” of Lexington, KY, New Horizons Music. New Horizons Music is the international organization of which we are a member. But people call us anything: New Horizons Band, Lexington NH band, “Bluegrass State Band.” As long as people call us, anything is o.k.

Our principal sponsor is the University of Kentucky School of Music, Department of Music Education , under the direction of Dr. David Sogin. Dr. Sogin acts as treasurer and hires the the staff. The staff consists of Cheryl Amstutz, conductor; Allan Stephens, assistant conductor/instructor/ clarinetist; Callie Peterson, brass instructor/trumpet; and Phillip Smith, wind instructor/oboe.

In order to help the conductor and the staff and to involve the membership in band activities, some members have volunteered to coordinate some of the activities necessary to keep the band functioning. Lou Dubilier will serve as music librarians; Billie Jo Dandeneau will coordinate member communications; Mitch Estepp will handle rehearsal and concert set-up (with help from all); Terry Gabbard will coordinate refreshments; Joy Molino will be the contact for new members; and Dick Dandeneau and Steve Waxman will work on publicity and public relations. Steve and Dick will also manage this website. Helpers for all activities are appreciated.

Rehearsal Schedule

Remaining schedule: Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct 17, Oct 24, Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Nov. 11, Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Weekend of Dec. 5-6, Winter Concert, details TBA.

Open House – A Tremendous Success!

steve — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:30:34 +0000

We had a wonderful Open House Informational Meeting on Saturday, September 12 @ 11am. Several new members were present. The meeting was held at Central Music Academy, 240 Clark St., Lexington, our regular rehearsal place. If you missed the meeting, join us Sept. 19, 2009, at 10 a.m.

We would like to introduce our New Conductor – Ms. Cheryl Amstutz.

Our New Conductor!