New Horizons Band of Indianapolis: Senior Citizens Make Music!

New Horizons Band of Indianapolis is part of New Horizons International Music Association developed to give senior citizens an outlet for musical expression. The idea for the organization came from Dr. Roy Ernst. He realized that senior citizens might enjoy playing music in a group setting as a means of stress relief and relaxation. However, many older people may not have the initial skills or confidence necessary to participate in such a group activity. Dr. Ernst created the New Horizons International Music Association as a way for them to become involved in music during the latter half of their lives. In Ernst opinion, making music is vital to creating human connection, a luxury that often falls to the wayside during the golden senior years.

The New Horizons Band in Indianapolis extends this opportunity to the people of Indianapolis. Since its inception in 1994, adults of all ages have been participating in a theraputic contribution to the Indianapolis music scene. The New Horizons Band headlines the Senior Expo in Indianapolis each year. Led by former North Central High School band director Sam Rhinesmith and former Speedway High School band director Al Spangler, the New Horizons Band excels at performing big band standards, Broadway hits, and an array of other musical genres and arrangements.

The idea behind New Horizons Band stems from the belief that everyone has musical talent. Seniors who feel they have inadequate experience simply have not been exposed to a musical environment. It is the mission of the New Horizons Band to give seniors a chance to experience the elation that comes with learning to play a musical instrument and the satisfaction of playing music with others. The New Horizons Band is a wonderful example of what it means to teach an old dog new tricks!

The New Horizons Band of Indianapolis is a fifty piece ensemble of senior citizens with members whose ages range from fifty to ninety. They rehearse two mornings a week at the Northside Baptist Church on 71st Street just north of downtown Indianapolis. For two hours every Tuesday and Thursday morning, these seniors take a bite out of life by strutting their musical talents. The group can be found atleast once a month in central Indiana retirement homes filling their peers with joyous toe-tapping music. Each Spring they coordinate a collaborative music concert with the Zionsville Concert Band in Zionsville, Indiana. When these two illustrious groups of musicians come together, they have been said to create a sound that rivals the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra or the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra.

The New Horizons Band of Indianapolis is sponsored by the Arts Council of Indianapolis. They are an Indianapolis nonprofit organization that relies heavily on individual donations and membership fees to stay on track. To find out how you can support the New Horizons Band of Indianapolis or hear them in concert visit the New Horizons International Music Association website. Check out the most musically inclined Seniors in the Circle City.

The New Horizons Band of Indianapolis
10647 Chesapeake Drive North
Indianapolis, IN 46236
317.823.6057

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