It’s all about a mutual love of music

FORT GARRY

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This article was published 13/01/2023 (1010 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On Saturday mornings, the Fort Garry United Church at 800 Point Rd. is filled with the sound of music. That’s where the Winnipeg New Horizons Band (WNHB) meets from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., every week from September to May.

WNHB past-president Ian McKay says, “The New Horizons music program is for anyone that loves music. People can come in off the street with no knowledge of music. They can learn how to read music and play an instrument. Some people played band in school and come with some knowledge, others are self-taught musicians, and some have never played a note in their life.”

As part of the New Horizons International Music Association (NHIMA), which was started by Dr. Roy Ernst, of the Eastman School of Music in 1991 in New York, the Winnipeg chapter (the only one on the Prairies) adheres to the same philosophy — that anybody who wants to make music can come in to play music. Its target audience is mature adult learners, although adults of all ages are welcome and encouraged to join in on the fun.

WNHB has been making music since 2004 and currently has about 50 members, down a bit following the pandemic, but eager to bring those numbers up again. The Saturday music sessions have the group divided into four — beginner band with conductor Claire Powell, junior band with conductor Heather Penno, and intermediate band with conductor Alena Arnason. John Hodge is director of the jazz band and there is a saxophone ensemble that meets on weeknights. Member fees cover space rental and honoraria for the conductors.

Lois Ward, current president of WNHB, joined the New Horizons Band about nine years ago. Although she knew music, she had never played French horn and now she plays in the intermediate band.

“I started as a beginner,” she says. “I love music and playing with other people, and this gives you the chance to do that. You’re really learning music and making new friends in a warm community. The conductors are so encouraging and really want you to succeed.”

Ian McKay took piano lessons as a kid and taught himself how to play saxophone. A few years ago, he won a saxophone at a Walle Larsson Jazz in the Park show he attended with his wife.

“My wife said, that’s an omen. You’re going to go take lessons,” he says. “It was almost 50 years since I had played a saxophone.” He started taking lessons, then joined the New Horizons Band and a couple of other bands.

This is Claire Powell’s first year with NHB, conducting the beginner band. Her students generally come to her as referrals from music stores or they read about the organization. Many have supported their own children through school band programs and now it’s their turn to learn an instrument themselves. Because everyone is learning, there is abundant freedom to make mistakes and laugh at them, too, as there is no pressure. Everything is more light-hearted and fun that way.

Heather Penno directed the beginner band for many years and is now trying her hand at being junior band conductor. She has been part of the WNHB family for over 10 years. “Honestly, it’s the best way to start off my weekend,” she says with a big smile. Penno enjoys seeing the progress of band members.

“They come as beginners and then progress at their own pace. I find that people are drawn by the common love of the music they produce, and then they stay for the warm community of like-minded people.”

Alena Arnason has directed the intermediate band for the past six years.

“It’s always amazing to me. People that come here work all day at their regular jobs and they get up early to make music on Saturday morning,” she says. “It’s a family. It’s a community environment. It is just so fun to come and make music with them. I absolutely love it. They are so eager to learn the instrument. They master one instrument and then they pull out another one and the next time they come, they’re on another instrument. Just the eagerness to learn and the commitment is really special.”

One of Arnason’s students started playing the flute at age 67.

“Can you imagine being a beginner at 67 and coming so far?”

For more information about the Winnipeg New Horizons Ban, visit www.wpgnewhorizonsband.com