New Horizons International Music Association

New Horizons Programs include many of our wonderful senior citizens. With advancing age comes the possibility of life-changing events that might diminish a person's ability to play a musical instrument. Strokes and other medical conditions or accidents (regardless of age), may leave some with only one hand to play an instrument. The good news is that there are people and programs that are addressing this circumstance. The “One-Handed Woodwinds Program” offers those with special needs a chance to begin or continue with their musical pursuits.

The mission of the “University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) One-Handed Woodwinds Program” is to make one-handed woodwind instruments available to permanently disabled individuals. The program was inspired by Dr. David Nabb and his continuing success with his Stelling Brass & Winds “toggle-key” saxophone. Dr. Nabb has taught woodwinds at the University of Nebraska at Kearney since 1994. In 2000, he survived a massive stroke that left him unable to play or teach. Together with Stelling Brass & Winds of Kearney, Dr. Nabb developed a “toggle-key” saxophone that can be played with only one hand. In 2003, his new instrument allowed Dr. Nabb to resume performing and all of his pre-stroke teaching activities. The “University of Nebraska at Kearney One-Handed Woodwinds Program” maintains the philosophy that music is a necessary element of the human experience.

Go to [“One-Handed Woodwinds Program”] to visit their web site. You may also want to visit the [International Forum on Adaptive Musical Instruments for Persons with Disabilities].