New Horizons bands are for doers-people determined to keep their minds and bodies active. And instrumental music is the vehicle for this 55-and-over group. For the past nine seasons the Naples New Horizons Band has been giving local and visiting adults the opportunity to make music in a no-pressure atmosphere. Players rehearse weekly at Mayflower United Church of Christ in East Naples, working under music director Dr. Ken Carper. The band grows by about five players per year. It shows more than fifty players on this year's roster and encourages contact from interested residents and visitors.

Some players have been performing continuously through their adult life. But the wide majority of players are returning to band music following a playing hiatus of 20 to 50 years. Though most players began on their instrument in their school years, some are enjoying instrumental performance for the first time. It is not uncommon to hear someone say, "I've always had the dream of playing in a band but I've never had the time or opportunity." Players who are new to this activity are put in touch with experienced and patient teachers in the area. Even many of the more experienced players take music lessons during the week to build their skills.

The New Horizons program was begun with a single experimental band twenty years ago in Rochester, New York. It has since grown to more than 200 performing groups across the US, Canada, and six other countries. All but six states in the US have New Horizons bands! This allows many members of the Naples New Horizons Band to play with other regional bands when they return to their summer homes in the north.

New Horizons programs provide entry points to music making for adults. From those with little musical experience to those who were musically active throughout their family-raising and career years, this no-stress ensemble provides both a musical and a social experience.

Our band has two missions. First is to provide opportunities for local music lovers to develop music playing and music reading skills in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. The full band is the primary ensemble, but smaller groups are developing that partner players with similar skill levels and musical interests. The second focus of our band is to entertain ourselves and others in public performances. We could each turn on the television and be entertained by others, but it feels much more healthy and exciting to BE the entertainment. The group has recently performed at senior residences like The Carlisle and Moorings Park, musical evenings on Fifth Avenue, a fund-raising festival at Naples Airport, etc.. Performances are generally free and open to the public.

The Naples New Horizons Band performs in churches, parks, festivals, and neighborhood communities from Marco Island to Naples to Bonita Springs. Our participants are enthusiastic adults of varying performance levels who stay "young" playing standard concert band music, as well as holiday and patriotic favorites. According to them, music is not a spectator sport, it is something you DO!

For more information please email our director Dr. Ken Carper at director@naples-nhb.org