The Eastman Community Music School’s New Horizons Band will perform its annual Holiday Concert on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m. in the University of Rochester’s Advancement Center Auditorium (formerly St. Agnes High School) located at 300 East River Rd. The event is free and open to the public; the venue is handicap accessible with ample parking.
The program will include such favorites as White Christmas, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Festival of Hanukkah, The Little Drummer Boy, Santa Meets Sousa, The Radetsky March, a variety of sing-a-longs, and other holiday classics. The ensemble will be conducted by Alan Woy and Bruce Burritt.
The New Horizons Band is part of the New Horizons Music Program sponsored by the Eastman Community Music School. The first New Horizons program was formed in 1991 at Eastman under the guidance of Roy Ernst, now professor emeritus. The program has grown internationally to more than 200 chapters in the United States, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, France, Italy, Australia, Netherlands, England, New Zealand, and Iceland.
Originally designed for seniors, New Horizons now accepts adults of all ages and any level of experience. Members enjoy playing in groups such as intermediate and advanced bands, string and full orchestra, two jazz bands and smaller ensembles, in addition to singing in a chorus.
Locally, more than 250 people are involved in one or more of the various offerings. The ensembles perform annually at the Xerox International Jazz Festival in June as well as in Kilbourn Hall and Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre in May. During the year, the band presents community outreach concerts in senior living centers, church festivals, hospitals, and area schools. An upcoming performance at Franklin High School will be a homecoming for six band members, who will appear on the school’s stage for the first time since graduating more than 50 years ago. The members retired from careers as teacher, pharmacist, dentist, and businessman and resumed their instrumental activities through the New Horizons program.
For more information about the New Horizons “Music for Life” program, visit the website at rocnewhorizons.org or call the Eastman Community Music School at 585-274-1400.
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