INTRODUCTION

The New Horizons Band program was conceived by Dr. Roy Ernst, then a professor at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester University. He believed that anybody can learn to play a musical instrument. The first New Horizons Band was formed in Rochester New York in 1991 and to-day,  there are more than 100 similar programs in the United States, Canada, Australia and Ireland. The program aims to provide instruction to adults wishing to learn how to play wind or percussion instruments. It is also for individuals who might have played in high school but put it aside for many years. Membership in a New Horizons Band can fill your life with music, new friends, fun and accomplishment.

The Peterborough, Ontario, Canada New Horizons Band was started by Peter Ford in the spring of 2002 with 52 new members. Mr Ford has more than a 60 year history of musical education and performance. Peterborough NHB currently has over 150 members, making it one of the fastest growing and largest of all New Horizons organizations. The band now has several groups, three main bands, wind ensemble, brass choir, french horn choir, low brass ensemble, percussion ensemble, clarinet choir, flute choir and duet and a recently added swing band for our dancing pleasure.

The Pine and Oak bands rehearse every Wednesday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and the Birch Band and Wind Ensemble from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Living Hope Christian Reform Church (Landsdowne St. E. next to the OPP office) in Peterborough. The Green Band (beginning players) meets Monday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Living Hope Christian Reform Church.