The President’s Corner
Lucette Fortier
President, NHIMA Board of Directors
The Villages New Horizons Concert Band
The Villages, Florida
January 2013

Music speaks a universal language. Someone reading a musical score in China will play essentially the same music as the musician in North America; no translation is required. In comparing music to most other forms of art, music does not require a frame or a museum. Music is what feelings would sound like; music is expressed emotion.

The New Horizons Organization seeks to introduce (or reintroduce) adults to making music in a group setting. One reason the New Horizons program has been so successful is that it recognizes and nurtures the natural blending of music with socialization. In the 22 years of New Horizons history, they have grown from one band with less than 50 members to well over 200 musical groups and an individual membership nearing 10,000.

I personally recall that during my school years, participation in band activities dominated my social life (football games, band camps, parades, etc.). Now, after 40 years of not playing, this is occurring again (music camps, practicing and performing in band and flute choir groups). And there are many fellow New Horizons members who would share very similar stories.

The New Horizons Organization encourages any adult who shares a love of music to either learn (or relearn) an instrument or begin singing in a New Horizons choral group. We provide a non-judgmental environment that offers members the means to meet the challenge of aging by providing an opportunity to grow and learn.

I am honored and excited to be President of the New Horizons Board of Directors for 2013. We are fortunate to have so much talent and dedication amongst our all-volunteer board members. The New Horizons founder, Dr. Roy Ernst, has been, and remains, the guiding light in serving as our advisor. Thank you, Roy.

Please explore our website and locate a music group in your area; if one is not available, please let us help you study the ways to start a New Horizons group.

Lucette Fortier, President
New Horizons International Music Association Board of Directors