Contact: Simon Cole President Alban Classical

250-563-4693 (hm)  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Partner Organizations: New Horizons Band Program, 1st Baptist Church' Cole’s Woodwinds

Prince George launches innovative music program for adults who wish to learn to play a concert band instrument and play in a

band

Who?

Adults with no (or long ago) music experience

Time:5:30-7:30 pm Mondays

First rehearsal is Dec 5 but you can start any time.

 

Come and try out concert band instruments and find out which one is

for you! Courtesy of Cole’s Woodwinds!

*Rehearsals begin Monday, December 5, 2011 (5:30 pm – 7:30pm)

Where?

1st Baptist Church 483 Gillett St.

Parking Lot: (use side door)

Who Instructs?

Simon Cole

and guest clinicians (local teacher-musicians)

More Info: 250-563-4693

Cost?

For 28 hours of instruction and fun:

14 Band Sessions $ 140

Instrument Rental (Approx.) $ 50

Total Cost $190

3 Ways to Register…

Call Simon at 250-563-4693

Sign up directly on the website http://www.albanclassical or Print

a registration form, and mail to 212 Gillett St, Prince George BC V2M

2T4

Fill out a form at the Info Night on Monday, November 21 , 2011**

**Minimum: 8 participants by

December 7, 2011

**Maximum: 40 participants,

first come first served

Background information:

 

The first New Horizons Band was formed in 1991 by Professor

Roy Ernst of the Universty of Rochester’s Eastman School of

Music. The first band started with 10 members, and within 5

years had grown to over 100 members. There are now over 100

New Horizons Bands across North America, including thriving

bands at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario

and Peterborough, Ontario. Annual New Horizons music

festivals, including one in Chataqua, New York welcome New

Horizons Bands from near and far.

Although many New Horizons Bands focus on attracting retired

and semi-retired members in the 50+ age group, the director of

the PG New Horizons Band, Simon Cole, wants to encourage all

adults who are seeking a creative weekly activity. In his work as

a music teacher, he has met many adults who regret not having

the opportunity to learn to play an instrument in their youth.

“Music has been a wonderful part of my life, and I share this

through my work as an educator and through performing and

performance ensembles. It is never too late to start enjoying the

fun, the creativity, as well as the physical and the social benefits

of belonging to a musical group. The thrill of performing music in

a group is so satisfying! I have met fascinating people through

my music, and I am sure I will meet many more through this

endeavour!”

Space is graciously provided by 1st Baptist United Church to keep

costs to participants as affordable as possible. This church is

located in the heart of the city and is easily accessible. 1st

Baptist has plenty of parking, and is the host of many cultural

events in the city in fact Simon recorded a solo clarinet CD there.

The New Horizons Band could not have a more beautiful,

inspirational location for its rehearsals .

Cole’s Woodwinds, located on Gillett St, is also giving new band

members a helping hand. New Horizon’s Band members are

offered discounts on purchases of band instruments to help them

get started in their musical venture. Cole’s Woodwinds also

donated band music for the program and produced the posters

and brochures free of charge .

For potential participants who wonder where this could lead,

Simon comments: “ I have young students who, after only one

year of study, are playing music in concerts and enjoying playing

their favorite tunes. There is no reason why adults who are

committed to setting aside a little time for themselves and their

instrument each day can’t have the same experience!

While some adults may feel that special challenges such as

arthritis, visual or hearing deficits may prevent them from

participating, Simon assures, “I have experience working around

any of these issues. What adults need to remember is that they

have many advantages, including life experience, perspective,

self-awareness, and placing a higher value on the opportunity to

learn than some young people who take the opportunity to learn

for granted. Many adults have developed very refined tastes in

music, and have experienced a wide range of music repertoire.

While some adult beginners will develop great technical ability or

very expressive interpretative ability, the goal is good music and

fun! You never know what you can do until you try!”

 

Regards

Simon Cole

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