Horizon Happenings

The Newsletter for and about Golden-Agers who enjoy playing music

New Horizons Band of Sonoma County

New Members

Let's all welcome Matt Boden, Alto sax. Bill Byrne, Clarinet. And Leland Wing, Percussion. Say hi and introduce yourself to our new members.

Concert Dates

Our Oakmont concert will be on April 12 at 2:00pm. Our Spring concert at Glaser Center will be on May 9 at 7:30pm.

Healdsburg Community Band

Help support HCB by attending one of their upcoming concerts. Some of their band members sit right next to you in this band.

24th Feb. - Pops Concert, Healdsburg Community Church 3:00pm

4th May Sousa Concert - Jackson theater - 3:00pm

1st June - Sunday in the Plaza Concert, Healdsburg - 2:00pm

Sonoma County Band Camp 2009

Plans for our Wine Country Band Camp 2009 are coming together. We have a signed contract with the City of Healdsburg for use of the Villa Chanticleer from March 29, 2009 to April 3, 2009. All 38 rooms at the Geyserville Inn have been blocked at a special rate of $105 per night. We have been listed on NHIMA web site. At the present time details regarding the budget, including minimum/maximum number of participants and catering costs are being evaluated, as well as final decisions about guest director invitations. Our web site for the camp is almost completed.
Members of the Planning Committee are Lew, Bill H., Dolores, Becky, Tess, Hattie and Kaylan.

Kaylan

Band Member of the Month

This month, we start a new feature honoring the original members of the New Horizons Band of Sonoma County, a program that was planned before Larry Phillipsen retired from the band. So we are starting with Larry, and hope to learn more about his memories of the beginnings of our band. Larry spent his childhood in Fortuna, California where he began playing trumpet in 7th grade and continued into high school. He was drafted, and served in Germany, where he used every opportunity to visit European capitals. Back home, he continued his education at Humboldt State. Ultimately, he joined the Sonoma County community as a teacher at Santa Rosa High School and spent his summers working at as many national parks as possible.
When our band gave its first concert, in November of 1999, there were fewer than thirty members, including our conductor, Lew Sbrana. So I asked Larry what his memories where about starting with that group. He responded that the group was overwhelmingly friendly, no sarcasm, nobody laughing at others' mistakes. Those with more experience helped those who were beginners. He didn't find it hard to get started. He enjoyed playing the music so much, though he was curious about what music they would play and how often they would play. I asked Larry if he felt good about what they produced, and was it different from playing in the bigger group we have now. He said that the music was much easier and the players in the smaller group were more confident. On the other hand, playing in a larger group makes mistakes less obvious.
Larry will still enjoy listening to music at home, though he will miss playing, because he really likes the kinds of music we play, not all the new popular styles. Finally, I asked what the best thing about joining the New Horizons Band was for him. He replied, "It was a chance to get back in a band, and it was local!" We wish you well, Larry, and hope you will enjoy your new home.
Margy Suits

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