17th Wave Glasgow New Horizons Band program for seniors begins Jan. 15
Prepare to strike up the band. Monday, Jan. 15, will see the start of the 17th Wave Glasgow New Horizons Band program. As usual the season will commence with an instrument demonstration and experimentation session downstairs at Christ Anglican Church Street at 34 Bridge Ave. in Stellarton at 4 p.m.
If you are age 50 or older and have always wanted to play a musical instrument, or if you played in your “earlier years” and are interested in taking it up again, this group is for you, says Paul Barrett, who administers and partially teaches the program.
The instruments that will be taught include flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium (baritone), tuba, drums and percussion, violin, cello, piano, guitar and electric or acoustic bass.
Barrett, a retired music teacher and a professional musician from Truro, spent many years teaching in the public school system there. He personally is a trombonist and pianist, an arranger and composer, and has many years of experience teaching music to people of varying ages, and a multitude of folks over the age of 50.
However the majority of the teaching and conducting will be done by New Glasgow native Robyn Alcorn-Martin. Currently teaching at the elementary school level, Alcorn-Martin also has experience with junior and senior high school students in both choral and instrumental music and teaches voice lessons privately. Going into her second term with the Glasgow New Horizons folks, Alcorn-Martin is looking forward to once again making music working with the senior musicians and welcoming new members to the program.
The Glasgow New Horizons Band program starts groups of beginners, or “raw recruits,” twice a year — in September and January. This newest group is the 18th beginner band to be started in the Truro area. The 1st Wave was in September 2009 and subsequent groups were initiated each January and September of the years following.
Those interested in the program can find out more information by contacting Barrett at barp@eastlink.ca or by calling at (902) 986-8444. Brochures are available at the New Glasgow, Stellarton and Pictou libraries, Glasgow Square Theatre, H&R Music, and many New Glasgow area churches — or you can have one emailed to you by contacting Barrett at the email address or cellphone number above.