Author: Enid Williams

Emily Link has been with the Band since 1996 — after a four-decade hiatus away from her clarinet. Now she plays three different instruments.

What first brought you to the New Horizons Band?

I joined the New Horizons Band of Madison in 1996, following the death of my husband. I hadn’t played my clarinet in over forty years and had never played in a “band”, only an orchestra and only in high school. As I recall there were only two of us; but I do remember playing an arrangement appropriate for us of Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony… what an experience! Music continues to sustain me.

Why do you play the instrument you play?

Sometime in the late nineties, Peter [Ziegler] saw me standing around doing nothing and told me I should play tenor sax. I had never even held a sax. He would not be deterred and the rest is history, as they say. A few years later, and a few sax lessons later, he told me to switch to alto. Same story.

What other musical bands, endeavors, or outlets do you pursue?

It was in the late 1990s that I became involved with the group that was to become Hooked On Bands, along with Mike McCoy and Muriel Gilbert. I have been on and off its Board ever since.  What else do I enjoy? Well, I continue to facilitate groups at Gilda’s of Madison. I bike, kayak, bird, garden and just generally enjoy life.

by Jerry Greenberg 

Harvey Black has been blowing alto sax in both the concert and jazz bands since he “discovered” New Horizons in around 2006.  Along with his passion for music, Harvey keeps busy with an array of mental and physical activities.  

What first brought you to the New Horizons Band?

Shortly after I started taking lessons about 10 years ago, a Ward-Brodt employee told me of the band. Though intimidated by the prospect of exposing my playing to others, I decided to give it a try. 

Why do you play the instrument you play? 

I took a year of saxophone lessons in the fifth grade. I have absolutely no idea why I picked the saxophone. 

What has been the most enjoyable part of your experience w/ NHB?

Seeing my slow, sometimes snail-like progress in playing the alto sax. 

What has been the most challenging?

Keeping up with the rest of the band. 

What other musical bands, endeavors, or outlets do you pursue?

Auditing courses at UW-Madison, regular exercise, acting in community theatre (when I can get cast), reading. 

What outside of playing music are you passionate about in your life?

Staying physically and mentally healthy. The band and my other outlets contribute to that.

by Jerry Greenberg 

Ken Johnson has been with New Horizons since discovering it in 2002.  He is one of those dual instrument players, blowing the “bone” for the swing band and the euphonium for the concert band. When he’s not playing, he’s studying classic Greek literature and jet setting the world with his daughter.

What first brought you to the New Horizons Band?

I played in grade school in the early 1960’s and with the Madison Municipal Band for a while in the 1980’s.  Then I got too busy with work and family and didn’t play for almost 20 years. I happened to see information about NHB when I was at Ward Brodt for my daughter’s piano recital in 2002 and joined soon after.  I was a youngster in my early 50’s.  

Why do you play the instrument you play? 

I play euphonium in the concert band and trombone in the swing band.  The euphonium has great harmony parts and a rich sound.  I started on trombone after a music director demonstrated all the instruments in the band to my 5th grade class. I thought the trombone was the coolest, even though my arm wasn’t long enough to extend the slide all the way to the end!  As was the tradition, I was switched to euphonium when I reached 8th grade.  A few years ago, I decided to take up up the trombone again to play in the swing band after refresher lessons from Peter.    

What has been the most enjoyable part of your experience w/ NHB?

Playing in a group that is so welcoming and led by conductors who are such patient teachers.  It’s a treat to be able to play different instruments and styles in the two bands.     

What has been the most challenging?

Sight reading, especially when the page is black with notes or in an unusual key.   Subdividing (ah one ee and a two ee …) does not come easily for me. 

What other musical bands, endeavors, or outlets do you pursue? 

I play on and off with the Madison Municipal Band and UW Summer Band.  I’m in Phoenix some winters and have played with the Arizona Winds, a very good band with several excellent euphonium players.  I leave the difficult parts to them and I try not to play in the rests.  I also play in Tuba Christmas here and in AZ.  Nothing like the sound of 150 euphoniums and tubas playing carols together. 

What outside of playing music are you passionate about in your life?

We enjoy living in downtown Madison near the Capitol, Overture Center, UW and all the activity on the Square. I take full advantage of being able to audit UW classes for free as someone over 65.  Currently, I’m taking a course in Classic Greek Literature (it’s much better than it sounds!) My younger daughter is a world traveler and I’ve made trips to New Zealand and Japan to spend time with her.  I’m part of a group that has “adopted” White Horse Middle School and I enjoy being involved with activities that help meet the many needs their students have.

Posted by Jerry Greenberg 

Phil Vorlander picked up the alto sax a little later than many in the band. Rather than coming back to his horn years after playing in high school or college, Phil took his first lessons in 2011.  With the welcoming support of the band — and its directors in particular — Phil has grown as a musician and now plays in the Concert and Jazz bands… and five more to boot.  Read all about his journey to becoming the next Bird.

What first brought you to the New Horizons Band?

I’d watched a segment about New Horizons International on TV (CBS Sunday Morning, or, maybe, 60 Minutes) and learned of its mission of providing opportunities for older folks to play music. It piqued my interest! I did not play an instrument in school (much to my continuing regret) and wanted to learn. I did a web search for New Horizons Madison and found HOB’s website. I emailed then president Jon Nelson requesting information, and Jon asked what instrument I played. When I replied that I didn’t, he tactfully suggested I take some lessons before joining the band – good advice! I had my first lesson in April 2011 and joined the Madison New Horizons Bands in January 2012.

Why do you play the instrument you play?

Upon deciding to take lessons, I walked into Ward-Brodt, was directed to the education department, and told them I wanted to learn to play an instrument. When asked which one, I said saxophone (there were more saxes hanging on the wall). I had the great good fortune to get hooked up with Peterson (Pete) Ross, a marvelous musician and skilled teacher. I continue to study with Pete, now at Madison Music Foundry after the demise of Ward-Brodt’s education department. Pete not only teaches me saxophone, he teaches me music.

What has been the most enjoyable part of your experience w/ NHB?

I can’t say enough about the welcome and support I received from the other musicians in our bands, especially my mates in the saxophone section. On my first night at rehearsal, after taking lessons for six months or so, co-director Glenn Nielsen introduced himself, and when I’d explained my level of musicianship, Glenn said, “Don’t give up; keep coming to rehearsals and you’ll improve.” Thanks Glenn! We are very fortunate that our directors, Glenn and Pat Dorn, not only direct, they teach.

I love our Door County Band Camp! What a terrific experience to play music for three days in such a wonderful environment with conductors who enjoy sharing their knowledge with adult musicians.

What has been the most challenging?

When there’re just too many notes in a measure!

What other musical bands, endeavors, or outlets do you pursue?

I play with the Waunakee Community Band, the McFarland Community Band, my hometown’s Soon To Be Famous Lodi Band, and Waunakee First Presbyterian’s Joyful Noise.

What outside of playing music are you passionate about in your life?

Linda, my spouse, is a wonderful ‘Band Mom’ (remember, I didn’t play in school) and a very good sport when it comes to attending performances. We’re both retired and enjoy traveling with my brother and sister – we just returned from a wonderful Alaska cruise. We also have a great group of long-time close friends with whom we socialize and travel.