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The Horizons Band of Madison is affiliated the New Horizons International Music Association (http://www.newhorizonsmusic.org). This program was developed by Dr. Roy Ernest of the Eastman School of Music to provide entry points to music-making for adults, including those with no musical experience at all and those who were active in school music programs but have been inactive for a long period. Currently, there are more than 100 New Horizons Bands throughout the U.S. and Canada, including neighboring bands in Milwaukee, Iowa City, and northern Illinois. The Madison Band was established in 1992 and was the second band to be created in the New Horizons organization.
New Horizons Bands have these features in common:
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NEW HORIZON BANDS OF MADISON
The New Horizon Band in Madison was originated with Ward-Brodt Music Mall sponsorship of "Seniors Play Days," a program held on the business premises on a Thursday and Sunday in October, 1992. Senior citizens were invited to the store to have a cup of coffee and try out any band instrument of their choice. A feature story in a local newspaper announcing the formation of the band prompted about 10 people to join. Two weeks after the "Play Days," the New Horizons Concert Band convened for the first time with 16 members in attendance. Instruction consisted of similar instrument group lessons (for example, sax and clarinet, flute and oboe, and trombone and baritone). Trumpet and percussion groups were taught separately. The instruction materials consisted of the Yamaha Band method and associated books. The teaching staff included three teachers (one brass, one woodwind, and one percussion). The band gave its first concert just before Christmas after only 12 weeks of rehearsals. As the group became more accomplished, additional concerts followed.
In 1994, the band performed a joint concert with a local sixth grade school band, and since then, has performed for many grade school groups, sharing with those young people the timeless joy of music-making. The swing/jazz band program began in the summer of 1994 and has proven to be very popular with both the band members and their audiences.
June of 1994 was the date of the first week-long national New Horizons Band Institute held in Aspen, Colorado. Since then, national institutes have been held at Devil's Head Resort in Wisconsin, Chautauqua and Lake Placid, New York, and at Palm Springs, California, in conjunction with the National Association of School Music Dealers Convention in February, 1997.
The first "Band Music Weekend" in Bailey's Harbor (Door County), Wisconsin, was held in September, 1995 and sponsored by the Madison New Horizons Band.
A New Horizons Bands booster group, Hooked On Bands, Inc., was established in the fall of 1996, with membership open to current and former band members, their families and friends, and anyone else who enjoys the kind of music played by the bands and who wants to ensure continuation of the New Horizons Band experience. Membership in Hooked On Bands exceeds 80 members located in at least eight states.
THE MADISON BANDS TODAY
The New Horizons musical organization consists of two units: the New Horizons Concert Band and the New Horizons Swing Band. The first plays traditional concert band music, which includes classical selections, marches and Broadway and movie themes, while the second performs big band music from the 1930s and 1940s as well as contemporary pieces. Both were established by the Ward-Brodt Music Mall in Madison and are sponsored by Hooked on Bands, Inc., a non-profit corporation.
Members are from all walks of life. Many are still employed part-time or full-time, while some are retired. Membership in the Concert Band totals over 60 members, while the Swing Band has about 35 musicians. The Concert and Swing Band members are offered frequent rehearsal opportunities and periodic public performances. Membership in each group is open to a wide range of individuals: those playing in a musical group for the first time ever, those renewing the musical skills they learned in school and are either resuming playing their old instrument or picking up a new one, and those who are accomplished musicians and perhaps even play in other musical groups.
Some events for which the Concert Band has recently played include the Mothers Day Concert at Olbrich Gardens, the Middleton Ice Cream Social, the Annual Winter Holiday Concert in Monona, and a joint appearance with the Waunakee Community Band. The Swing Band has played for the Witwen Campground Concert Series, the Roxbury River Arts Festival, the Dean House Concert Series as well as dances and dinner parties for The East Side Businessmen's Club, Elks, the Sun Prairie Dance Club, and even the wedding of one of our own members!
The Fall Door County Band Weekend is open to non-members, as well as members of any New Horizon Band in the U.S., with only a small fee charged to participate. Rehearsals and sectionals are held from Friday noon through Sunday noon, and are open to the public at no charge. Time for shopping, attending theatrical performances, and just relaxing is built into the schedule, as are at least two group meal options. This weekend program has been expanded to include Dixieland, German band, and woodwind choir options as well.
The New Horizons Swing Band rehearses every Wednesday afternoon at 5:30 PM. The New Horizons Concert Band rehearsals follow at 6:30 PM. Rehearsals are open to the public, and you can enter and leave at your leisure. The rehearsals are held at Ward Brodt Music Mall, 2200 W. Beltline Highway (Todd Drive exit, next to American TV), Madison.
For more information about the New Horizons Bands or how to become a member, contact: Ward-Brodt Music Mall, Education Department. Call 608/661-8670 or visit http://www.ward-brodt.com.
New Horizons Bands have these features in common:
- Membership is offered to adult musicians at all ranges of experience: complete newcomers, those who played years ago, and those who have been playing all along.
- Beginners are offered group instruction in a small instructional band setting before joining the established bands.
- Emphasis is placed on making good music in a non-stressful, social and fun experience.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NEW HORIZON BANDS OF MADISON
The New Horizon Band in Madison was originated with Ward-Brodt Music Mall sponsorship of "Seniors Play Days," a program held on the business premises on a Thursday and Sunday in October, 1992. Senior citizens were invited to the store to have a cup of coffee and try out any band instrument of their choice. A feature story in a local newspaper announcing the formation of the band prompted about 10 people to join. Two weeks after the "Play Days," the New Horizons Concert Band convened for the first time with 16 members in attendance. Instruction consisted of similar instrument group lessons (for example, sax and clarinet, flute and oboe, and trombone and baritone). Trumpet and percussion groups were taught separately. The instruction materials consisted of the Yamaha Band method and associated books. The teaching staff included three teachers (one brass, one woodwind, and one percussion). The band gave its first concert just before Christmas after only 12 weeks of rehearsals. As the group became more accomplished, additional concerts followed.
In 1994, the band performed a joint concert with a local sixth grade school band, and since then, has performed for many grade school groups, sharing with those young people the timeless joy of music-making. The swing/jazz band program began in the summer of 1994 and has proven to be very popular with both the band members and their audiences.
June of 1994 was the date of the first week-long national New Horizons Band Institute held in Aspen, Colorado. Since then, national institutes have been held at Devil's Head Resort in Wisconsin, Chautauqua and Lake Placid, New York, and at Palm Springs, California, in conjunction with the National Association of School Music Dealers Convention in February, 1997.
The first "Band Music Weekend" in Bailey's Harbor (Door County), Wisconsin, was held in September, 1995 and sponsored by the Madison New Horizons Band.
A New Horizons Bands booster group, Hooked On Bands, Inc., was established in the fall of 1996, with membership open to current and former band members, their families and friends, and anyone else who enjoys the kind of music played by the bands and who wants to ensure continuation of the New Horizons Band experience. Membership in Hooked On Bands exceeds 80 members located in at least eight states.
THE MADISON BANDS TODAY
The New Horizons musical organization consists of two units: the New Horizons Concert Band and the New Horizons Swing Band. The first plays traditional concert band music, which includes classical selections, marches and Broadway and movie themes, while the second performs big band music from the 1930s and 1940s as well as contemporary pieces. Both were established by the Ward-Brodt Music Mall in Madison and are sponsored by Hooked on Bands, Inc., a non-profit corporation.
Members are from all walks of life. Many are still employed part-time or full-time, while some are retired. Membership in the Concert Band totals over 60 members, while the Swing Band has about 35 musicians. The Concert and Swing Band members are offered frequent rehearsal opportunities and periodic public performances. Membership in each group is open to a wide range of individuals: those playing in a musical group for the first time ever, those renewing the musical skills they learned in school and are either resuming playing their old instrument or picking up a new one, and those who are accomplished musicians and perhaps even play in other musical groups.
Some events for which the Concert Band has recently played include the Mothers Day Concert at Olbrich Gardens, the Middleton Ice Cream Social, the Annual Winter Holiday Concert in Monona, and a joint appearance with the Waunakee Community Band. The Swing Band has played for the Witwen Campground Concert Series, the Roxbury River Arts Festival, the Dean House Concert Series as well as dances and dinner parties for The East Side Businessmen's Club, Elks, the Sun Prairie Dance Club, and even the wedding of one of our own members!
The Fall Door County Band Weekend is open to non-members, as well as members of any New Horizon Band in the U.S., with only a small fee charged to participate. Rehearsals and sectionals are held from Friday noon through Sunday noon, and are open to the public at no charge. Time for shopping, attending theatrical performances, and just relaxing is built into the schedule, as are at least two group meal options. This weekend program has been expanded to include Dixieland, German band, and woodwind choir options as well.
The New Horizons Swing Band rehearses every Wednesday afternoon at 5:30 PM. The New Horizons Concert Band rehearsals follow at 6:30 PM. Rehearsals are open to the public, and you can enter and leave at your leisure. The rehearsals are held at Ward Brodt Music Mall, 2200 W. Beltline Highway (Todd Drive exit, next to American TV), Madison.
For more information about the New Horizons Bands or how to become a member, contact: Ward-Brodt Music Mall, Education Department. Call 608/661-8670 or visit http://www.ward-brodt.com.
