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New Horizons International Music Association News
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Learning Music Not Just For Youngsters
The Toronto Star
Story by Judy Steed, Video (Pictures) by Bernard Weil
November 13, 2008 -
New Horizons Band Interview
88.5 WFDD
NPR News and Triad Arts Stations
Wake Forest University
July 16, 2008
Note: This is an MP3 audio file that is over 2MB in size. -
New Horizons Ensemble Unveils New Work in Tribute to Late Leader, Ed Mizma
Rochester New Horizons Band at the Eastman Community Music School
In Concert, May 27, 2008
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The New Horizons Band at the Eastman Community Music School will premiere a new work in memory of the group’s former leader, Edward Mizma, during a concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, in Eastman Theatre. Titled “Moments of Glory,” the work was commissioned by the ensemble and The Commission Project, a nationally recognized program that sponsors composers-in-residence, with support from the New York State Music Fund.“Moments of Glory” was written by Howard Rowe, a retired Rush-Henrietta School District Music teacher and a composer and arranger of works for jazz band, concert band, strings, and chamber ensembles. Rowe began his residency with the New Horizons Band last November, initially talking with band members and leaders and Deborah Mizma, Mr. Mizma’s widow, to draw insights about Mr. Mizma for a composition that would reflect his involvement with both sacred and secular music as well as his zest for life. Rehearsals started in early January on the first draft of the score, which Rowe has revised over subsequent months. The music was composed at the intermediate level so that it would be accessible to more ensembles including developing New Horizons bands.
“The New Horizons commission to honor Ed Mizma has provided me some challenges and a wonderful opportunity as well,” said Rowe. “First, the task was to create music that would evoke memories of Ed for all the participating musicians as well as their audiences, plus, that objective had to be accomplished within parameters concerning length, range, instrumentation, and others. Just as important, the project gave me the opportunity to meet and work with a great group of people. I have found this process to be immensely gratifying.”
Mr. Mizma directed the New Horizons Band from 1992 until his sudden death in July, 2007, at the age of 73. He earned his bachelor and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering from Bucknell University and Cornell University, respectively. During his long career with Kodak, he pursued his avocation with a passion, leading the Rochester Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, the choir at Hilton Baptist Church, the Hilton Gazebo town band, and several other church and community choirs, including the New Horizons Choir.
Prior to his retirement, Mr. Mizma took music courses at the Eastman School of Music. Later, he enrolled formally and received his master’s degree in music education in 1993. At Eastman, Mr. Mizma took classes with Roy Ernst, who founded New Horizons, an adult music education program. Mr. Mizma joined the New Horizons Band and took over more responsibility in directing the program in Rochester as it grew.
In Rochester, New Horizons is sponsored by the Eastman Community Music School of the Eastman School of Music. The program has been widely adopted by more than 100 organizations in the United States, Canada, and Ireland. Locally, weekly rehearsals are held at the First Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Road. More information is available from the Eastman Community Music School, 585-274-1400, or online at [www.esm.rochester.edu/community].
The Commission Project was founded by musician and educator Ned Corman to foster creativity by commissioning music for ensembles and bringing musicians into close contact with composers to see the creative process at work.
The May 27 program by the New Horizons Band is part of Eastman Community Music School Festival Week. Other New Horizons concerts occurring during Festival Week are: the New Horizons Orchestra, Wednesday, May 28, 7 p.m., Eastman Theatre; the New Horizons Green Band, Green Strings, and Chorus, Thursday, May 29, 2:30 p.m., Kilbourn Hall; the Brasso Profundo and the New Horizons Big Band, Friday, May 29, 7 p.m., Kilbourn Hall; and the Evening of Ensembles, featuring chamber music, Monday, June 2, 7 p.m., Kilbourn Hall. All concerts are free and are open to the public.
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Retirement is Great Time to Strike Up the Band
Lisa Jo Rudy, CNN.com/Living
February 22, 2008 -
An Encore for Seasoned Musicians: Band Program Gives Older Players the Chance to Entertain Once Again
Bob Andres, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
August 12, 2007
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Ron Taylor, 76, said joining the Roswell New Horizons band was the best thing he has ever done.“I stopped playing when I got out of the Army,” he said. “I put my horn away for almost 50 years, and regret that it took me so long to start playing again. It’s brought a purpose to my life that I didn’t have before. I found it was something that I terribly missed.”
The New Horizons International Music Association (www.newhorizonsmusic.org) is a non-profit organization that promotes music programs for players more than 50 years old. There are about 140 New Horizons bands nationwide, including local programs in Roswell, Marietta, Sandy Springs and Rome.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity for senior citizens to play their instruments again,” said Bob Martin, director of the Roswell New Horizons bands. “We have several folks in our band that are pushing 90 years of age, and it’s very exciting to see them enjoy the process of making music once again.”
The Roswell program is popular, with a full concert band, two jazz bands, an intermediate band and some smaller ensembles. They have been invited to perform in January at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in Savannah. They also host a weeklong jazz camp at Unicoi State Park and Lodge near Helen each spring that has been growing in popularity.
“I’ve been out of the school teaching business for several years now, and I’m having more fun doing this than I ever did teaching school,” Martin said.
He spends all day Thursday rehearsing with the multiple Roswell bands, and keeps a busy schedule of performances. The concert band has two performances scheduled this month, at Northminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday, and Alpharetta First United Methodist Church on Aug. 21.
Bud Boden, 78, said playing in the Roswell bands makes him enjoy living more.
“I joined the band, reluctantly,” he said. “They practically dragged me in because they needed trumpet players. I was scared to death. I loved it. I couldn’t let it go. But when the swing bands came along, I really turned on. I just can’t get enough of the swing. It makes me feel young. Maybe I'm kidding myself, but I'm living longer because of it.”
John Lauer, like many of the members, plays in the jazz band and the concert band. “I put my horn away when I got out of the service and didn’t play for 40 years, and then came back and played with this group,” he said. “I’m 75 years old now, and I look forward to Thursdays; they’re the best day of the week.”
For Taylor, it’s more than just the music.
“It adds something to the life, as well as the lives of the people we perform for,” he said. “The New Horizons band is probably a great stimulus for good health, mental and physical. It’s been a wonderful, wonderful time and I hope it goes on forever.”
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Adults Buck Conventional Wisdom to Play Musical Instruments
Gail Wein, National Public Radio
July 3, 2006 -
New Horizons Band, “Take 5! Grand Rapids News”
WZZM-TV(ABC), Grand Rapids, MI, 4/21/05 (03:36)
Giles Communications LLC Multimedia Services Division
Note: This is a Windows Media file (.wmv) and may take a long time to download using a dial-up connection. -
New Horizons Band Camp in Olympia, Washington (July 12-16, 2005)
Making Music Magazine
March/April 2005 -
Beat Goes On, For All Ages
Lolly Bowean, Chicago Tribune Staff Reporter
February 11, 2005
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In this band, seniors are learning to play instruments and students are learning to teach.When George Blinick joined the North Shore New Horizons Band nine years ago, he was 69 and had never picked up a musical instrument.
And because of arthritis in his hands, most days he still can’t hold his heavy baritone saxophone.
Blinick, a retired pharmacist from Prospect Heights, doesn’t let his ailment stop him. He props the silver sax on a stand and lets the melodies transport him.
He is just one of dozens of seniors who have decided to take up an instrument later in life through an innovative program that pairs them with Northwestern University students training to become music teachers.
“I tell people they had to tell me which end of the horn to blow into,” said Blinick, 78. “I grew up in the Depression, and my father couldn’t afford music lessons. But I always wanted to play.”
Sally Bowers founded the North Shore group nine years ago while working as a music instructor at the Music Institute of Chicago.
Dozens of New Horizons Bands, including several in Illinois, have formed across the country since 1990 when Roy Ernst, a music educator from New York, hit on the idea. The concept gives adults over 50 who couldn’t master an instrument in their early years a chance to try again.
“I just went nuts over it,” Bowers said. “It was so different and it was cutting edge.”
Each week, the band reports to Northwestern to take lessons from music students working on their teaching skills. It’s a way to let the two generations mingle to learn music.
“It’s a class where students basically learn how to be public school band teachers,” said Maud Hickey, an associate professor of music education who coordinates the band lab. But unlike in a real classroom setting, band members are more willing to speak up and give feedback and encouragement.
“The students can practice their skills on this very friendly group,” Hickey said.
According to experts, Blinick and other band members are doing more than just mastering a new craft and keeping busy in retirement; they're also adding to the quality, and perhaps the longevity, of their lives.
“Seniors need to reinvent themselves, and when they do that they need to find activities that will let them express themselves, meet other people, give back to society,” said Celia Berdes, a sociologist with the Buehler Center on Aging at Northwestern. “And a band does all of that.”
Gene Cohen, the director of the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., has spent a year studying how music affects the elderly.
Seniors who participate in arts programs are healthier, take less medication and are in better spirits, he said.
“It’s the type of activity that keeps a person engaged,” he said. “They come back every week and they rehearse and have concerts. So it’s a sustaining activity.”
Cohen said that based on his studies, there is a growing demand for arts-based programs for seniors, especially those involving music.
“Today’s group of persons from 65 and older are better educated and healthier than ever before,” he said. “They are life-long learners. In those circumstances, [they] are looking for stimulation.”
Bowers started her group by asking people she knew if they wanted to learn to play in a band. “We put a lot of old instruments that were on the shelf back into good use,” she said.
There are more than 50 people in the group, drawn from all over the Chicago area. Most of them play and read music at a middle school level.
Bowers begins with baby steps. She helps students decide what instrument they want to learn, and they practice blowing and trying to make sounds.
The students start in small group sessions where Bowers teaches them how to read music. As they improve, they sit in with the full band and eventually start playing with the more advanced group.
The students start in small group sessions where Bowers teaches them how to read music. As they improve, they sit in with the full band and eventually start playing with the more advanced group.
But the musicians are learning more than just notes and rhythms, Bowers said. They are also overcoming adversities.
“When I look at my people and the limitations they have, I am humbled that they do what they do,” she said. “Some of them play with arthritis, with limited breathing capacity and sight problems. It takes a lot of energy to play. They are doing something wonderful for their mind and spirit.”
At a recent rehearsal, Kingsley Tang, 22, stood grinning in front of the clarinet, saxophone, flute and trombone players.
Before the band started playing “The Little French Suite,” the Northwestern student told them to read through the music. Many leaned closer to the sheet music and adjusted their glasses. Some mouthed the rhythm of the song.
Although there were squeaks and high-pitched peeps during the first run-through, Tang kept smiling.
“When you see their energy and enthusiasm, you get inspired,” said Tang who is working toward a master’s degree in music education. “We often think we are too old to learn something new. But it’s never too late.”
Playing in the band transports Ethel Liten, 83, back to when she played the piano as a child. In her 70s, she decided to take up the clarinet.
“Playing an instrument is an absolute delight,” she said. “It’s so satisfying.”
When Liten’s husband died more than 20 years ago, she started searching for activities that could clear her mind and bring joy. She met Bowers and learned about the band.
“Music has always been a part of my life,” she said. “We always listened to music in my house. We had a Victrola, we had records and when the radio came out, we had that too.”
Liten is so dedicated to playing, she takes private lessons when she’s not practicing with the band.
“I needed something for myself,” she said. “When this opportunity came, I grabbed onto it. The music has opened a new life for me.”
Copyright (c) 2005, Chicago Tribune
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Miller Family Plays in Tournament of Roses Parade
Larry Rodgers, The Arizona Republic
January 1, 2005
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Music has always been a big deal for Big Bird and his pals on TV’s Sesame Street, and it has been a huge presence for generations in the family of Phoenix’s Barbara Miller.The Miller family’s love of music has landed four members starring roles on a Sesame Street-themed float in today’s Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, expected to attract 1 million spectators and 300 million global TV viewers.
The three generations of musicians - Miller, 61; her daughter Ellen Miller, 34; and grandsons Carl Cohen, 11, and Benjamin Cohen, 7 - will play Merrily We Roll Along as they share the “Music Makes Us a Family” float with Big Bird, Elmo, Oscar, Cookie Monster and other Sesame Street characters and a human “drum circle.”
“They were looking for a family that plays music together,” says Miller, a Valley native who plays oboe and English horn. “They found us through the Desert Foothills New Horizons Band, which is geared toward seniors who want to get back into music or pick up an instrument for the first time.”
The four will be on the flower-covered float for four hours, covering 5 1/2 miles, starting at 9 a.m. Arizona time.
“I won’t make it that long,” first-grader Benjamin said, drawing gentle reassurance of “Yes, you will” from his grandmother.
Miller’s encouragement of her children and grandchildren to enjoy music reflects the philosophy of the two non-profit groups sponsoring the float - Sesame Street Music Works and NAMM, the International Music Products Association. Both promote the benefits of having music as a hobby, benefits studies indicate include family bonding, reduced stress, better academic performance and increased self-esteem.
“There’s a growing body of evidence linking early childhood music-making with increased brain function,” says Joe Lamond, president and chief executive officer of NAMM.
“The wonderful thing about music is that all generations can participate in it. You can have fun, no matter what your level (of proficiency) is,” says Miller, who plays in the New Horizons Band, as well as groups sponsored by Glendale, Paradise Valley and Glendale Community College.
The grandmother and two boys get together regularly to practice and play. Ellen Miller, who is the boys' aunt, joins in on flute or piano occasionally. She and the boys also attend Barbara Miller’s band performances.
“I started teaching them keyboard over the summer to help them start reading music, and we just started playing together,” Barbara Miller says. “Sometimes we'll look at each other and just start laughing when we're playing.”
Benjamin, a drum student who attends Madison Simis School, calls music challenging but enjoyable: “You keep doing it till you get good. Then it’s fun.”
Carl, who plays saxophone and attends fifth grade at Madison Meadows School, has set a goal of playing in his school’s jazz band next year.
Music is being used to relax children during class in the Madison Elementary District, says Ellen Miller, who teaches math and science at Madison No. 1.
“A lot of teachers use music, usually jazz or classical, because of all the studies that talk about how kids' cognitive abilities increase, or it soothes them,” the teacher says.
The family’s assignment for the 116th edition of the Rose Parade is making for a very busy trip. After flying in Friday and watching the judging of 50 floats in the parade, whose theme is “Celebrate Family,” the four Arizonans were due at the parade route at 5:30 a.m. today. They'll wear red-and-white outfits provided by NAMM, which is paying all the family’s expenses. They'll be interviewed by local TV and radio stations before the parade and will fly home later today.
“It will be two very long days,” Barbara Miller said Monday. “But they're so excited.”
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OASIS Band Members Find Music Gets Better With Age
Ryan Heinz, The Suburban Journals of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
December 7, 2004
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Just try telling the senior citizens in the OASIS Center for Music program that playing music is a young man’s game.They refused to take any heed of their age for their fall recital Nov. 30 at the Community Music School of Webster University, off Delmar Boulevard in University City.
Sure, St. Louis' own Chuck Berry, 78, still plays once a month in the Duck Room at Blueberry Hill; Louis Armstrong had a No. 1 hit with “What a Wonderful World” three years prior to his death at age 71; and 79-year-old B.B. King still tours frequently.
The difference? None of the three aforementioned greats waited until their golden years to first learn their instrument.
That’s right, all of the participants in the OASIS Center for Music’s annual fall recital are not only older than 50, the vast majority of them have all learned to play their instrument only a few years earlier. Diane Quitmeyer, manager of OASIS Center for Music, says the program keeps older adults engaged in social and intellectual activities.
“They've always had the desire (to learn an instrument) but didn’t always have the time or money,” she said. “Now that they are retired, they've got both.”
Quitmeyer, a music therapist who started the program four years ago as a music and wellness project, said several beginning-level classes are offered for a wide variety of instruments. That became evident while watching the recital, in which participants from throughout the St. Louis region played everything from the flute and drums to hand bells and guitar. The one catch is you have to be at least 50 years old to participate.
Alonzo Reed, 55, a real estate agent from Normandy, took up guitar two years ago through the program. Despite being a longtime, avid golfer, playing the guitar has become a close second to his favorite hobby. His daughter, Ashlei Ray of Brentwood, was in attendance to watch her father perform at the recital. She said Reed has really taken to the instrument, sometimes getting up as early as 4 a.m. just to practice.
“It gives him something to do, and I don’t have to worry about what he’s doing or if he’s bored ... because he’s always at home playing his guitar,” Ray said, laughing.
The Nov. 30 recital was special, because the OASIS New Horizons Band shared the stage with the Alton New Horizons Band - another group of senior musicians, who had just learned to play within the last several years.
The two bands took turns performing songs, with the OASIS New Horizons Band starting off the recital with a noble take of John Williams' “Raiders March” (the theme to the “Indiana Jones” movies). However, it was the Alton New Horizons Band’s spot-on performance of Kander and Ebb’s “New York, New York” that was truly surprising, given that the band members were basically music novices.
“More than half of the band, five years ago they couldn’t read music and they couldn’t play music,” said Stanley Chytil, director of the Alton New Horizons Band. “Today I'm very proud of them because they can read music, they're a part of a group and they do well.”
Chytil himself is a storied musician. The Godfrey, Ill., resident escaped communist Czechoslovakia in 1987 in order to have the freedom to play the music of his choice. After arriving in the United States in 1989, he took a job at a car dealership until he learned enough English to teach music at Lewis and Clark Community College. He later started the Alton New Horizons Band and now likes his band to perform alongside newer groups such as the OASIS New Horizons Band.
“People in the group, they sometimes get discouraged and say, ‘Oh, I'm not going anywhere with this.’ But I can say to them, ‘Look, you were there and now listen to where you are,’” Chytil said.
Quitmeyer is highly enthusiastic when discussing the program and its benefits to one’s health. She cited Dr. Richard Rowe of Clayton, who recently succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Rowe was the clarinet player in both an OASIS jazz ensemble and the New Horizons Band. Despite his ailment, he continued to play with both groups.
“The doctor asked him, 'Why are you still alive' and he said it was the music program, because people with pancreatic cancer don’t live very long, and it was a phenomenal length of time he was surviving,” Quitmeyer recalled. “He actually played up until a couple of weeks before he died, so the whole thing was remarkable.”
Eve Wilde, 76, a native of Berlin, Germany, who lives in Olivette, already plays piano but has joined the program to learn the violin and flute.
“I don’t play very well,” she said bluntly of her participation in the program. “But I enjoy it.”
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Orchestra Helps Adults Develop Musical Talent
Christi C. Babbitt, The Daily Herald, Provo, Utah
December 16, 2003
New Horizons International Music Association Newsletters
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Board of Directors Meeting Summaries
Summary of the February 21, 2011 Meeting of the Board of Directors TREASURER’S REPORT: Bill Gates, Treasurer, reported we are in excellent shape financially. Bill also reported we have just received the 2nd installment of the International Music Fellowship NAMM grant. MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Eve McGrory, Membership Coordinator, reported donations to NHIMA from members have increased this year. Membership is continuing to increase, and the board will track year to year membership trends. Eve reported that group memberships do not qualify individuals for music camp discounts. The development chairman will take over the correspondence thanking business members effective immediately from the membership coordinator. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Barbara Belbeck, Chairman, reported there are two new business members and 3 business renewals. Barbara visited exhibit booths at the Cincinnati OMEA/MENC conference. Letters have been sent out to prospective business members. COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE: Lucette Fortier gave the report stating the committee is assessing which New Horizons Groups need local representatives. The committee will continue to improve communication with NHIMA members. FOUNDER’S REPORT: Roy Ernst reported the 20th anniversary tours have begun and will continue through the year. Three more NAMM Grant fellows will be visiting in March and April. The project is going very well, and an application for another NAMM grant has been submitted. NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Kathy Weber announced Dick Prettyman has agreed to chair the committee. BAND CAMP LISTINGS: Several non-New Horizons groups have asked to have their music camps listed on our web site. In accordance with a previous board decision, these camps can be listed in a separate category on the web site. A motion was made to add an addendum which makes the listing for a non-New Horizons music camp contingent on the petitioner’s web site providing a link to the NHIMA web site. GOALS: Discussion was held regarding creating an event where New Horizons groups would be invited to attend, perform and listen to other groups. A regional gathering would be an attractive event. The board will begin to explore the interest and details of such an event. With the increase in baby boomers, an article is in the process of being written that could be used by many New Horizons groups for publicity and information purposes. Summary of the January 26, 2011 Meeting of the Board of Directors The NHIMA Board met for their first in person meeting of 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio on January 26th in conjunction with the Ohio Music Educators Association (OMEA) Professional Development Conference and the National Association for Music Education (MENC) North Central Division Conference. TREASURER’S REPORT: Bill Gates, Treasurer, reported we are solvent and deposits for January are up from last year. The board appreciated Bill’s clarity in organizing and reporting of the financial records. MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Eve McGrory, Membership Coordinator, provided the board with 2010 membership figures. Overall membership has increased from the previous year. Donations have been on the increase also. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Barbara Belbeck, Chairman, reported she will be making contact with existing and potential business members at the OMEA Conference. COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE: Jim Cubberly, Chairman, reported he has completed his mailing to local representatives with a new list of duties and responsibilities. Jim reported that there are 53 reps covering 57 groups. The local representatives are now listed on the NHIMA web site. The board acknowledged Jim for his hard work to improve the communication with NHIMA members. FOUNDER’S REPORT: Roy Ernst reported he is working on the Interlochen and Chautauqua bands camps. The International Music Products Association (NAMM) New Horizons International Fellowship is progressing well. Marco Fanti from Italy has completed his visit. There are 3 more conductors scheduled to visit, Graham Sattler, Australia; Cornelia Van Oostrum, South Africa; and Alan Lewis, United Kingdom . Each director is visiting different New Horizons groups. NAMM CONVENTION REPORT: Bill Gates attended the convention in Anaheim, California. New Horizons International Music Association has been fortunate to be recipients of grant funding from the NAMM Foundation. The show provided an excellent opportunity for meeting delegates from the various companies who are suppliers to the music industry. Bill reported that attending the convention was an informative and beneficial experience. GOALS FOR THE YEAR: The board “brainstormed” and discussed short and long term goals. Decisions will be made during the next conference call board meeting. 20th ANNIVERSARY TOURS: The tours are beginning and sign ups are progressing well. Please check the web site for more details. Summary of the December 13, 2010 Meeting of the Board of Directors The NHIMA Board of Directors held their final conference call for 2010 on December 13th. Treasurer Bill Gates submitted a report in absentia and noted that there was little change from last month. MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Membership Chairperson, Eve McGrory, was very pleased to report that we added twenty new members since October. Eve was asked if the individual paying the membership fee for a “Group Membership” is automatically entitled to receive a discount for band camp fees. The board unanimously agreed that only “Individual Memberships” qualify for the discount. COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE: Communication Committee Chairperson, Jim Cubberly, updated the members on the work being done to ensure communication links with each individual NH organization. The committee has issued invitations to 153 groups, and to date, 45 reps have signed on. The 20th Anniversary Tour Project has 24 confirmed host groups, and all of them are looking forward to receiving guests from other NH organizations. The board members reinforced that we need to remind people to sign up SOON for the tours so that arrangements can move forward. FOUNDER’S REPORT: Roy Ernst provided an update about the Internationalization Project and advised that a submission has been made to the NAMM Foundation to provide additional funds to continue for another year. To date, two grant recipients have completed their visits: Andy Jackson from England and Julie Gough-Jackson from New Zealand. Andy attended the band camp at Chautauqua while here and then traveled to Rochester and visited the New Horizons Orchestra there. OPEN FORUM: Kathy Weber, on behalf of the board members, thanked current President Pam Bolton and Directors Frank Ray and Bob Martin for their lasting contributions to the NHIMA Board of Directors. Summary of the October 2-3, 2010 Meeting of the Board of Directors The NHIMA Board of Directors held their regular monthly meeting (October 2010) in person at Chautauqua, New York in advance of the New Horizons Music Camp there. TREASURER’S REPORT: Bill Gates, Treasurer, reiterated that we are financially solvent. Bill provided additional dialogue to explain some of the monetary transactions that took place in the last quarter. Some extra income was noted due to an increase in memorial donations. The NAMM Foundation has approved a $15,000.00 grant to allow NHIMA to continue with the “Internationalization project”. The board members as a group congratulated Bill on the clarity and presentation of the financial reports. MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Eve McGrory, Membership Coordinator, provided the board members with current figures and advised that there has been an increase in single memberships, planning members, lifetime members, couples membership, new groups and Business members. Eve also stated that donations have increased as well. NHIMA was the recipient of a very generous donation in memory of Ted Ettinger, by the members of his band. Frank Ray proposed that we add a memory list to both the web site and the Newsletter. FOUNDER’S REPORT: Roy Ernst reported that he has been working on four major projects: Chautauqua Music Camp, Interlochen Music Camp, the Internationalization Project and the 20th Anniversary tours. Roy also attended the summer NAMM show where he made a presentation about the New Horizons organization. Roy stated that a grant application to continue the Internationalization Project will be submitted, and Nancy Wombacher and Joan Cantor will join Roy to assist in managing the project. Six grant recipients were chosen for the original project, and Andy Jackson from the United Kingdom was able to participate in the Chautauqua Music Camp. The other grant recipients are from New Zealand, Bologne, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa. Roy hopes to invite some of these grantees to conduct at future band camps. Roy also stated that it is important to acknowledge the role that the NAMM Foundation plays in this project. Roy also advised that the 20th Anniversary tour plans are going well, and specific guidelines will be posted on the web site. The tour plans should stimulate an increase in NHIMA membership as it will be a prerequisite for both individuals and groups. COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE: Jim Cubberly, Chairman, was unable to attend. Frank Ray, a committee member, delivered hard copies of the report. It was noted that letters have been mailed to group reps and replies from the band reps can be sent to the new e-mail address shown on the letter. Frank Ray suggested an alternative to e-mail could be “opt in” mail. This change could help reduce the automatic spam errors that some recipients receive. Kathy Weber advised the board that 50 local reps have now been identified. Roy Ernst suggested that one of the most important duties for the reps is to forward e-mails from NHIMA to their ensemble members. Frank Ray commented on the positive impact the “Baby Boomer” effect will have on continued growth throughout the organization. A discussion regarding Band Directors attending music camps took place, and a suggestion was made that hosting organizations offer a few free spots for conductors from other New Horizons organizations to play. That might encourage attendance by some of those conductors’ own band members. Kathy Weber advised that the last iContact message sent was opened by only 41% of recipients. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Dick Prettyman, Chairman, reported that he approached some of our Business members to become actively involved at Chautauqua and other music camps. Business members were invited to demonstrate products at the Chautauqua camp. Forestone Reeds actively pursued the offer by sending a large quantity of reeds to be tested by woodwind players, and Lampcraft shipped preordered “gig lights” to Roy Ernst, who handled all the delivery and payment details. NEW BUSINESS: The following topics were addressed: Frequency of updating Policies and Procedures Manual: A decision was made that each officer and committee chairperson would evaluate and provide revision suggestions in regards to their particular area of responsibility. Dick Prettyman volunteered to collect the revision suggestions and a mid-December time line was set. Newsletter Revisited: The prior decision to deliver the Newsletter electronically required debate as to what delivery methods would work for those that do not have access to a computer. The membership form will need to be revised to show Newsletter, iContact and Membership Directory and beside each, a selection box will be available. Discussion Regarding Scholarship Possibilities: NHIMA occasionally receives memorial donations, and the members of the board are looking at ways to best handle those funds. One of the newly elected board members, Barbara Belbeck, has a great deal of funding experience and has agreed to spearhead a project to look at various ways to use these donations effectively. NAMM Show: Bill Gates offered to represent NHIMA at the NAMM show (International Music Products Association). Open Forum: The following topics were raised and discussions followed. Music library on the web site–making it truly comprehensive and downloadable. Forums relating to various topics to allow for more discussion among individuals and member organizations. Freehand music on-line - if we could get a discount from some companies it would be a value added item for members. Pre-camp time could be used to host committees to work on specific items. An open discussion took place, and many suggestions were shared for increasing our membership as well as our presence in the music world. NHIMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL MEETING, Continued, Sunday, October 3, 2010 Kathy Weber, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, presented candidates to fill three vacant directors seats for the 2011 Board of Directors. The Board of Directors unanimously approved the slate of candidates and newly elected members taking office are: Barbara Belbeck, Lucette Fortier and Ardis Phillips. President Pam Bolton welcomed the new board members and invited them to stay for the remainder of the meeting. The Board of Directors unanimously approved the following slate of officers for the 2011 term: Kathy Weber - President, Dick Prettyman - Vice President, Bill Gates - Treasurer and Linda Hartley - Secretary. The Board members finished the last of the agenda items “commemorative merchandise for the 20th Anniversary celebration”. The ideas generated were passed on to the Anniversary committee for consideration. Summary of the August 23, 2010 Meeting of the Board of Directors TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Bill Gates sent an electronic financial report in advance of the conference call. The board members had an opportunity to review it, and Bill summarized the report during our meeting and answered the few questions that arose. The books are now closed on the 2009/2010 NAMM grant, and Bill will invoice NAMM for the first installment of the new grant money awarded for the project titled “Internationalizing New Horizons.” MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Chairperson, Eve McGrory, stated that little activity was taking place in relationship to new or renewal membership as summer is traditionally a slow period. Eve expects an influx of renewals and new member applications beginning in September and prior to the Chautauqua band camp. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Chairman, Dick Prettyman, advised that he invited several of our business members to demonstrate their products at the Chautauqua band camp. The Forestone Reed Company is unable to send a representative but has offered to provide some sample reeds for players to try out. Lamp Craft, also a NHIMA business member, has agreed to offer a camp discount for their “Gig Light”, and participants will receive pricing and ordering information prior to the start of camp and will be able to pick up their order during registration. Music Maid and Curving Walkway Publications will provide brochures for distribution, and Port Huron Music Center will be approached to supply music folders bearing their company name. COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE/ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE: Chairman Jim Cubberly advised that the communication committee has been working hard researching and compiling a list that identifies those that are the contact or local representative for their individual New Horizons groups. The goal is to increase the flow of communication between individual groups throughout the organization. The Anniversary committee members as well as the NHIMA board members have had an opportunity to “test drive” a new segment that will be added to the web site. John Morgan, our amazing webmaster, has done an excellent job of providing the ways and means for celebrating our 20th Anniversary. The site will be interactive and available to all New Horizons groups. It can be used for posting stories and pictures and everyone will have access to information about celebrations such as a “Touring Music Camp” as well as commemorative items for sale. FOUNDER’S REPORT: Roy Ernst reported on the 2010/2011 project which is titled “Internationalizing New Horizons” and is being funded by a grant received from the NAMM Foundation. Roy advised that to date fourteen candidates from various countries worldwide have sent in applications. Roy and his project team will select the successful applicants within the next ten days. Roy will be sending out an iContact message to the entire membership to announce the 20th Anniversary celebration events that have been finalized. OPEN FORUM: Dick Prettyman asked for an update on the electronic versus hard copy membership booklet question. Roy, Pam and Kathy advised that they have made a decision to get input from a cross section of the membership. There will be a short paragraph on the bottom of the Chautauqua camp evaluation sheet asking the question “do you prefer your membership booklet in hard copy or as an electronic version.” We would appeal to all who attend to complete and hand in the form so that this debate can be put to rest. Kathy Weber updated the board members on the progress of the 20th Anniversary DVD. Financial resources are being sought to facilitate the presentation of the DVD on PBS stations. An interesting fact: The ten highest rated PBS stations are located in cities that have a New Horizons Band. Summary of the July 28, 2010 Meeting of the Board of Directors TREASURER’S REPORT: NHIMA Treasurer, Bill Gates, provided the board members with a full financial report in advance of our conference call. The books will be closed on our NAMM foundation grant for 2009/2010 following the final report from the Project Director. MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Eve McGrory, Chairperson of the Membership Committee, reported that membership figures are showing continuous growth. That is positive affirmation that the organization is meeting a need within our communities. Eve advised the board members that Planning Members are having difficulty opening the CD. The suggestion is to advise planning members to access these files on-line through the NHIMA web site and eliminate the CD. All board members agreed that accessing on-line will resolve the issue, and that planning members will continue to receive the DVD as well as the on-line link to the files in question. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Dick Prettyman, Chairman of the Development Committee, was pleased to report that “Cannonball Musical Instruments” is our newest Business partner and a very welcome addition to our growing list of supportive companies. Jupiter Instruments not only renewed their Business Membership, but has also agreed to sponsor a New Horizons Band. Dick regretfully informed the board members that the Getzen Company did not renew. Roy Ernst suggested that we give back to our Business partners by inviting them to a New Horizons Band camp. Dick felt they might be interested in selling musical accessories. Dick has recently contacted 24 retail stores around the country to inform them of the availability of Business Memberships in the New Horizons organization. ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE REPORT: Roy Ernst advised that he and assistants Joan Cantor and Ardis Phillips are investigating articles available for use as commemorative items for the 20th Anniversary. Jim Cubberly stated that Tour Plans are being discussed, and Lori Schuett has agreed to assist with the Canadian portion of the project. Other suggestions for celebrating include creating a Special Edition Newsletter dedicated solely to the New Horizons 20th Anniversary. The NHIMA web site will also provide resources to receive information from individual New Horizons groups regarding their 20th anniversary events and plans as well as photos and articles. COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE: Jim Cubberly, Chairman of the Communication Committee, stated that more dialogue with individual bands is essential. Involving local representatives and providing them with specific tasks and duties will be a major project that the committee will undertake now for implementation late Fall. FOUNDER’S REPORT: Roy Ernst attended the Summer NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show and while there made a Presentation on the New Horizons International Music Association. Roy is currently working on a Project which involves offering Fellowships to qualifying candidates from outside of North America. They will be given the opportunity to visit and learn about the New Horizons movement by visiting member bands in the United States or Canada. Summary of the May 24, 2010 Meeting of the Board of Directors MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Eve McGrory, Chairman of the Membership Committee, reported another successful month with the addition of new individual and group members. That is a positive sign that members are enthusiastically sharing their New Horizons experiences with others who in turn want to be part of this musical movement. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer, Bill Gates, forwarded an updated financial report prior to our conference call. The board members reviewed it and there were no questions or concerns. Bill advised that the non-profit tax filings for the past year have been completed and submitted. New Horizons International Music Association is once again the grateful recipient of grant funding from the NAMM foundation. Bill confirmed that he would handle the invoicing required to receive the first portion of the grant money. NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Kathy Weber, Nominating Committee Chairman, advised the board that a slate of candidates for next year’s Board of Directors has been prepared and will be submitted to the board for review. An idea was also presented for providing the next generation of nominating committee members with a large pool of possible candidates to draw from. Within the next eight to ten months an iContact message could be sent to the entire membership asking for individual members to submit their names if they have any interest in serving on the NHIMA Board of Directors. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Dick Prettyman, Chairman of the Development Committee, reported that he was successful in signing up the following new business members: Hal Leonard and Eastman School of Music – Institute for Music Leadership. Dick led a discussion to clarify how aggressively we wish to pursue commercial sponsors. The board members agreed that sponsors within the music industry create a mutually beneficial service. COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE: Chairman Jim Cubberly was unable to attend, and in his absence Kathy Weber reported that the next iContact message to be sent will pertain to band camps. Members will be asked to let us know how many band camps they have attended and where. It could be the start of a 20+ club for camp attendees. A discussion took place regarding “bounced” e-mail addresses in our system and currently there are 26 definite rejects. It was decided that a mailing would be sent to those individuals asking for updated information. OPEN FORUM: A discussion took place about the communication avenues required to service such a large organization. The purpose is of course to reach as many New Horizons members as possible. We would like to reach every individual, and not just those that are members of NHIMA. In order to do this we need the assistance of our local group representative to the board. Each group should have a rep that has been given a free NHIMA membership in return for being the link between NHIMA and their own organization. We would like to ask that each of these reps forward all “iContact” messages from NHIMA to their members as well as post them somewhere in their practice/meeting space. If members have questions or ideas they want to share with the board, their local rep is welcome to send us those questions directly or via the “Ask us a Question” segment on the web site. The communication committee also advised that we have 26 “bounced” subscribers when sending our iContact messages, and our local reps could possibly help us identify those members as well so we can update their e-mail addresses. Summary of the April 16-17, 2010 Meeting of the Board of Directors TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer, Bill Gates, distributed a hard copy of the accounting report to each board member and completed that with a verbal presentation. It was well detailed and very informative. The following items were addressed and resolved as follows: PayPal is used by many and there is a charge back fee to NHIMA. The board members agreed that we are willing to continue this service as a convenience for our members. The exchange rate on Canadian funds continues to fluctuate. The amounts are not large and the board members made a decision that payments made for membership fees in that currency would not be rejected. N.B. this applies only to membership fees. MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Membership Chairperson, Eve McGrory, reported that our membership enrollment is up since January. Eve believes that some of that can be attributed to the diligence of the local representatives in member bands. It is also felt that with more band camps being offered, people are buying memberships in order to get the discounted member rate offered for certain camps. The board members encourage anyone belonging to a New Horizons group to consider becoming a member. The benefits include not only discounts for some Band Camps, but access to the New Horizons Newsletters and Membership information. Eve suggested that we should also publicize the fact that some Life Long Learning expenses are tax deductible and could benefit prospective members of NHIMA. Kate Levy, the Manager of the NAMM supported “Lift Off” project, is working towards a possible workshop for June. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Chairman of the Development Committee, Dick Prettyman, reported that he sent a letter of invitation to become a business member of NHIMA to numerous instrument manufacturers, music publishers, travel agencies and large retailers. Each recipient received a personalized and tailored offer to become a business member and reasons why it could be of benefit to their particular enterprise. Roy Ernst suggested that there is more we can do to attract and retain business members. One suggestions was that instrument manufacturers could possibly be interested in allowing some camp attendees to test play their products as a promotional benefit. Roy also suggested that we send a message to our Business Members, inviting them to write a description about their products and services that could be printed and distributed as a handout in the camp registration packages. COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE: Chairman of the Communication Committee, Jim Cubberly, defined the primary function of this committee as communicating to the membership as directed by the Board of Directors. To this end, Jim suggested that regular interaction via the “iContact” messaging system should take place once or twice per month. A suggestion was made that NHIMA members might enjoy sharing personal information about band camps they have attended over the years as well as New Horizons Music camp recognition (how many camps they have attended and where). Roy Ernst suggested the committee ask questions of various band groups such as: Has your group done any “special” type of concert this year? Subjects such as this could be a creative way for bands to openly communicate with one another and promote new ideas which could then be added to the web site. iContact messages and this form of distribution continues to be a topic of discussion for the board members. iContact communication is the best tool we have for reaching our entire membership simultaneously. The board members are concerned that reports show a high percentage of unopened iContact messages. The last message sent indicated that only 57% of our New Horizons recipients opened the message. That is up 7% from an earlier message, but we wish to ensure that ALL our members are being serviced by this delivery method. We will be asking that Individual Band Reps and Directors share these messages with their membership. AGENDA ITEMS: DVD: An iContact message will be sent to all groups advising them of the availability of the planning DVD/CD. The subject of archiving New Horizons important records and files was discussed and steps will be taken to find an individual or group to take on this vital project. Insurance Information: A message will be sent to all our member band representatives asking that they provide insurance information to the board. We would like to post this information on the web site as a service and reference tool for all member bands. The 20th Anniversary Committee submitted a list of possible activities and events that could be held to celebrate this special milestone. In addition to special events there will be commemorative items. The list is lengthy and ideas abound. More will be forthcoming as the time draws near. Camper Recognition: An iContact message will be sent asking individual members to let us know “how many band camps you have attended and where” so that we can publish the results in a future newsletter. The topic of a New Horizons Directors / Conductors conference is in the “idea stage” and could possibly include: potential grant sponsorship and a Directors forum at a camp. Roy will plan to have a forum at Chautauqua for interested band directors to discuss their individual music programs. The Meeting was adjourned and the members traded a boardroom for a music class in the beautiful setting at Unicoi Lodge. Summary of the March 22, 2010 Meeting of the Board of Directors MEMBERSHIP: Coordinator Eve McGrory reported that individual membership renewal is going very well. We also continue to receive requests from groups that are in the process of starting a new band and have requested our Planning Members package. That is a wonderful growth indicator and is to be celebrated. Eve also reported on a recent project that she took part in at DePaul University in Chicago. Kate Levy, who is known to many of our New Horizons Band Camp attendees, and is the founding Director of the New Horizons Band of Western New York and former Director of the Hagerstown, Maryland NHB, headed up a Lift-Off workshop for Planning Members. Sally Bowers, Director of both the DePaul NHB and North Shore NHB and Suzanne Baker of the DePaul Community Division hosted the workshop which was attended by: Lisa Burns of Anderson, South Carolina; Dan Stark of Springfield, Missouri; and Jim LaMantia of Munster, Indiana. DOCUMENTARY UPDATE: Kathy Weber, Vice President of NHIMA and a member of the Documentary Committee, reported that they met with a producer from WXXI (a PBS station in Rochester, New York) to put together a promotional film. The project needs funding, and the promo will be helpful in seeking donations. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Chairman, Dick Prettyman, reported that he has sent out offers of Business Membership to music publishers, travel agencies that cater to music groups, and other vendors with ties to the music industry. The business membership fees, while small, help to offset some of our costs, and in turn provide a perfect outlet for music related companies to promote their wares. COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE: Chairman, Jim Cubberly, reported that recent e-mail messages sent to our membership using the iContact service provider remained unopened by 50% of the members that received them. Some of those bounces could be due to incorrect e-mail addresses or possibly members deleting them because they are unsure of the origin of the e-mail or the sender (NHIMA). After discussion, a decision was made that messages will now be titled New Horizons Music, so please watch for that new title and check out the messages. Our messages usually pertain to announcements for band camps as well as special events. FOUNDER’S REPORT: Roy Ernst provided feedback from the Cambria band camp in California. The attendance was good, and everyone enjoyed the experience as well as the weather. The Anniversary committee is hard at work, and Roy has submitted a tour proposal to the group for consideration. Stay tuned for updates. OTHER ITEMS: A motion was passed to allow Business members a sixty day grace period to renew their membership prior to removing their information and link from our web site. We hope our members take the time to check out our business partners and use their services when possible. A motion was passed that the “Items For Sale or Wanted” segment on the web site be renamed “Personal Items For Sale or Wanted” to prevent commercial usage. We hope that our members check this part of the web site out and use it to their advantage. |
Evolution of the New Horizons International Music Association Web Site
The New Horizons International Music Association Web Site was officially launched at the beginning of 2005. As of December 2011, this is the 4th major revision to the web site. For those history buffs out there, it might be of interest for you to see the other three versions since the beginning. Here they are!
NHIMA Web Site, Version #3, 2010-2011
NHIMA Web Site, Version #2, 2008-2009
NHIMA Web Site, Version #1, 2005-2007
