New members are welcome to attend a session Wednesday in the Mason Hall lobby.

Is it time for a change? Do you want to get out and have fun? Did you play an instrument many years ago? Did you ever want to learn how to play an instrument? 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 fall session this week. The band is celebrating its 20th year in Western New York. New members are welcome to join in the fun of playing music together. New members should come to the lobby of Mason Hall at 2:50 p.m. Wednesday for further directions to practice rooms.

This fall the band will be starting a beginner’s band for mature adults who would like to learn to play an instrument.

If you are not certain about joining New Horizons Band and would like to learn more about the band or what instrument might be the right fit for you, come to the New Horizons Band Open House on Friday, Sept. 13. The band members will be hosting their first Open House to showcase how enjoyable it is to have fun playing music together. The Open House starts at 3 and goes until 5:30 p.m. It is a wonderful opportunity to sit in on a lesson with college students and then experience being a part of a full band practice. Visitors can drop in to the Open House or register in advance at https://forms.gle/mqQjPEcwxfyZTYCa7

If you own or can rent the instrument you want to play, you can sign up and pay online ($105) for Fall New Horizons Band by clicking the blue register now button on this website: https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges. 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.

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 on the SUNY Fredonia campus. The New Horizons Band will perform their Fall Concert on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 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 20 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 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.

McKay, retired Professor of Music Education, conducts the band. Advanced music students in the School of Music provide group lesson instruction. McKay was introduced to New Horizons in 1995 when she became the brass instructor for one of the first New Horizons Bands in Iowa City, Iowa. She has conducted New Horizons Bands in Iowa, Ontario, 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.