New Horizons Band hits opening note
The sounds of music from the basement of Christ Anglican Church in Stellarton have begun, as the New Horizons Band program held its first meeting, for this year, in Pictou County again.
A group of 15 people showed up to try new instruments and find out about the band program.
“This is the biggest group I’ve had in a long time,” said Paul Barrett, the originator and lead instructor of New Horizons.
Barrett said this iteration of the program marks the 51st session of the program he has run since it began in locations across Nova Scotia, including Truro and Dartmouth, since 2009.
According to Barrett, who spoke to The News while setting up sound equipment, keyboards, chairs and music stands for potential band members, the experience and aptitude levels of those showing interest in the program run a gamut from inexperienced to very musically inclined and talented.
“There are a lot of people learning for the first time – it’s mostly people who have never played before,” said Barrett, describing the people who usually enrol in New Horizons. “There are also some people who, for example, used to play when they were in school, gave up and wanted to start again.”
Barrett gave guests a crash course in how a number of brass, string, woodwind and percussion instruments work, demonstrating with each. Guests were encouraged to try the instruments, to see if they could find the right fit. Barrett said the aim of Monday’s meeting was to find who is interested in participating in the band, and moving forward with people who are committed to the regular rehearsal schedule.