Is winter getting you down? Do you want to get out and have fun? Did you play a band instrument many years ago? Did you ever want to learn how to play in a concert band?

Do you play an instrument now and want to continue to play and perform? Then, the New Horizons Band of Western New York is for you! The New Horizons Band of Western New York will begin its spring semester on Wednesday. The band is in its 19th year in Western New York. New members are welcome to join in the fun of learning and playing music together.

Ensembles/lessons are from 3 to 3:45 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Band practice is from 4 to 4:50 p.m. Wednesdays and 4 to 5:30 p.m. Fridays. Lessons and band practices are held in Mason Hall.

The New Horizons Band will perform their Spring Concert on Wednesday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m. in King Concert Hall.

The band, under the direction of Dr. Katherine McKay, was launched in collaboration with the SUNY Fredonia School of Music 19 years ago and is living proof that, when it comes to learning to play a musical instrument, it truly is “never too late.” New Horizons Band members, who are at least 50 years old, learn to play a band instrument, return to playing a band instrument after a long absence, or continue to improve playing an instrument they have long enjoyed.

The band has an enrollment of more than 60 musicians. The average band member age of the New Horizons Band of Western New York is 65. Band member ages range from the early 50s to the early 80s.

McKay, Professor Emeritus of Music Education at SUNY Fredonia, conducts the band and directs the instrument lesson and ensemble program. Advanced music students in the School of Music provide group lesson instruction. McKay was introduced to New Horizons in 1995 as the brass instructor for one of the first New Horizons Bands in Iowa City, Iowa. She has conducted New Horizons Bands in Iowa and Georgia, and she founded a New Horizons Band in Hagerstown, Md.

“Music making is just too much fun to leave only to younger folks,” McKay said. “Almost anyone can enjoy learning to play a musical instrument when good instruction, a friendly environment, and lots of helping hands are available.” More information about New Horizons music efforts and the New Horizons Band of Western New York is available online at https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-schools/school-music/music/community/newhorizons.

If you own or can rent the instrument you want to play, you can sign up and pay online ($105) for Spring New Horizons Band by clicking the blue REGISTER NOW button on this website: https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-schools/school-music/music/community/newhorizonsschools/school-music/music/community/newhorizons.

New members should come to the lobby of Mason Hall at 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday for further directions to practice rooms. Those who are not sure what instrument to play may contact McKay through the Fredonia School of Music Office at (716)673-3151 to schedule an appointment to try out various wind, brass, and percussion instruments.