The President’s Corner
Dick Prettyman, President
Suffield, CT 06078
January 2012

Over 8,500 adult musicians are now enjoying the opportunity to make music in New Horizons groups. Many of our 200 groups have sub-groups – such as swing bands, Dixieland bands, string quartets and flute choirs – providing even more opportunities for musical expression and social interaction. In 2011, hundreds of musicians participated in New Horizons band camps and tours of New Horizons group locations/rehearsals in the U S and Canada.

Our recently redesigned website provides helpful information to our members, directors and prospective musicians. In the month following the publication of an article on NHIMA in the AARP Bulletin, the website registered 22,000 visits, an indication of the strong interest in musical opportunities among adults.

Additional membership support is provided thru pertinent e-mail communications, biannual newsletters and the membership directory, which facilitates contact among members. Outreach to the general public about the New Horizons program will focus on publications geared to the growing population of seniors, as well as potential sponsors of musical groups.

With financial assistance from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), we are in the middle of a program which brings music directors from countries outside North America to visit New Horizons groups and directors in the U S and Canada. The International Fellowship Grant from NAMM will foster the development of more New Horizons Groups around the world.

If you are currently performing in a musical group, I hope you will consider joining us at one of the music camps listed on our website. In a world with few guarantees, I’m sure you will thoroughly enjoy the experience. If you haven’t played your instrument since high school, dust it off and come to a rehearsal. And if you missed out when the music instruments were passed out in school, now is your opportunity!

Sincerely,

Dick Prettyman
President, NHIMA
Suffield, CT 06078