FREDONIA — The New Horizons Band of Western New York will begin its fall semester on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

The band is starting its 15th year in Western New York. New members are welcome to join and should come to the lobby of Mason Hall at 2:50 p.m. on Aug. 31, for further directions to lesson rooms.

Ensembles/lessons are from 3 to 3:45 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Band practice is held from 4 to 4:50 p.m. on Wednesdays and 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Fridays. Lessons and band practices are held in Mason Hall. The New Horizons Band will perform their Fall Concert on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the King Concert Hall.

The band, under the direction of Dr. Katherine Levy, was launched by the SUNY Fredonia School of Music more than 15 years ago. 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 50 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.

Levy, SUNY Fredonia associate professor of music education, conducts the band. Advanced music education students in the School of Music provide group lesson instruction. Levy was introduced to New Horizons in 1995 when she became the brass instructor for one of the first New Horizons Band 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,” Levy said. “Almost anyone can enjoy learning to play a musical instrument when good instruction, a friendly environment, and lots of helping hands are available.”

The New Horizons Band of Western New York is part of the Musical Journeys Program, a community outreach project offered in the SUNY Fredonia School of Music. More information about New Horizons music efforts and the New Horizons Band of Western New York is available online at www.fredonia.edu/music/community/newhorizons.asp or by calling 716-673-4628. Those who are not sure what instrument to play may contact Levy at 716-673-3401 to schedule an appointment to try out various wind, brass, and percussion instruments.

Those who know what instrument they want to play can sign up and pay online ($105) for Fall New Horizons Band by clicking the blue REGISTER NOW button at www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-schools/school-music/music/community/newhorizons. This is the only way to register if paying with a credit card.

To pay by check, attend the first practice on August 31 to get a registration form to fill out and mail in to the given address.

Participants in the New Horizons Band of Western New York are required to have initial and one booster COVID-19 vaccination(s). Additional COVID-19 booster vaccinations are at the discretion of the individual. Masks are optional for players, conductors, and instruments.