A fun, exciting, and must have item for all New Horizons musicians to own!! Read the history of the Challenge Coin below. Don’t be the last person in your New Horizons organization to get one! The Challenge Coin can be carried in your pocket or purse. It can also be placed on a key chain, worn with a necklace, etc.

The Challenge Coin is the perfect way for New Horizons organizations to say “Thank You” to any of their members for many different reasons, to include: perfect attendance at rehearsals, serving on the group’s board or as an officer of the group, performing librarian duties, organizing an event, getting new members, appreciation for your director(s), etc.

For any questions, please send the [Webmaster] an e-mail.

The New Horizons Challenge Coin

Coin Specifications

• In solid bronze
• 1.75 inches in diameter
• Lettering on coin is raised
• New Horizons logo in color
• Split ring included for attaching
• Small hole for key chain or necklace

Each coin will cost $9.00, and that price includes shipping to locations in North America. There will be an extra charge to ship coins to locations outside of North America. Coins will be mailed out once weekly on Monday.

Click the button below to order your New Horizons Challenge Coin. While we always encourage folks to join New Horizons International Music Association (NHIMA), membership is not a requirement to get a coin. All orders will be placed on-line and paid for on-line.

THE CHALLENGE COINS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ORDERING!!

The Challenge Coin

• History of the Challenge Coin
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  Like many aspects of military tradition, the origins of the challenge coin are a matter of much debate with little supporting evidence. While many organizations and services claim to have been the originators of the challenge coin, the most commonly held view is that the tradition began in the Army Air Corps (a precursor of the current United States Air Force).

  Air warfare was a new phenomenon during World War I. When the Army created flying squadrons, they were manned with volunteer pilots from every walk of civilian life. While some of the early pilots came from working class or rural backgrounds, many were wealthy college students who withdrew from classes in the middle of the year, drawn by the adventure and romance of the new form of warfare.

  As the legend goes, one such student, a wealthy lieutenant, ordered small, solid-bronze medallions (or coins) struck, which he then presented to the other pilots in his squadron as mementos of their service together. The coin was gold-plated, bore the squadron’s insignia, and was quite valuable. One of the pilots in the squadron, who had never owned anything like the coin, placed it in a leather pouch he wore around his neck for safekeeping. A short while later, this pilot’s aircraft was heavily damaged by ground fire (other sources claim it was an aerial dogfight), forcing him to land behind enemy lines and allowing him to be captured by the Germans. The Germans confiscated the personal belongings from his pockets, but they didn’t catch the leather pouch around his neck. On his way to a permanent prisoner of war facility, he was held overnight in a small German-held French village near the front. During the night, the town was bombarded by the British, creating enough confusion to allow the pilot to escape.

  The pilot avoided German patrols by donning civilian attire, but all of his identification had been confiscated so he had no way to prove his identity. With great difficulty, he crept across no-man’s land and made contact with a French patrol. Unfortunately for him, the French had been on the lookout for German saboteurs dressed as civilians. The French mistook the American pilot for a German saboteur and immediately prepared to execute him.

  Desperate to prove his allegiance and without any identification, the pilot pulled out the coin from his leather pouch and showed it to his French captors. One of the Frenchmen recognized the unit insignia on the coin and delayed the execution long enough to confirm the pilot’s identity.

  Once the pilot safely returned to his squadron, it became a tradition for all members to carry their coin at all times. To ensure compliance, the pilots would challenge each other to produce the coin. If the challenged couldn’t produce the coin, he was required to buy a drink of choice for the challenger; if the challenged could produce the coin, the challenger would purchase the drink.

  
  



• The Challenge Coin in Your New Horizons Organization
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  The Challenge Coin, which clearly had its roots in the military, has become popular in many non-military organizations. The coin is used to build morale, show pride in an organization, and give the members a greater sense of belonging. Its use is similar to the military, but any organization is free to develop their own unique guidelines. Here are some ideas for using the Challenge Coin in a New Horizons organization (you can think up many more):

  ** Challenge for putting away the music stands after rehearsal.
  ** Challenge for getting a person refreshments at break time.
  ** Challenge for a drink at the local watering hole.
  ** Challenge for playing the solo in a piece of music.

  How often are you asked by someone for some information on New Horizons, and you want to give that person the web site address, but just can’t remember it? Carry the coin with you, and you will always have it.

  
  



• The Challenge Coin at New Horizons Music Camps and Events
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  For additional camaraderie, here are some ideas for using the Challenge Coin at a New Horizons Music Camp or Event (you can think up many more):

  ** Challenge for playing a particular part in a section (i.e., 1st Trombone).
  ** Challenge for being the person that has to take the group photo.
  ** Challenge for a drink at the local watering hole.
  ** Challenge to go ahead of the person in line at the music camp cafeteria.