Band Member Profiles

Larry H. – World traveler

Larry first learned about our New Horizons Band from Peter Ziegler, who, at the time, was teaching trumpet at Ward-Brodt Music. Peter taught music for many years in the Madison School District, led our bands for many years, and now holds the title of Conductor Emeritus. Anyway, Larry took lessons for about two years before becoming a New Horizons musician.

Larry comes from a musical family; his mother was a pianist and taught middle school music. Says Larry, “She gave me and the neighborhood piano lessons until I was 12.  I also played E-flat alto horn as a child, making the all-city band in Baltimore when I was 11. At the age of 17, I took up guitar as part of the folk music movement of the time.  I’ve played a variety of styles including folk, jazz and bluegrass.  I was introduced to swing music by Bob Swan, who ran workshops in Wisconsin Dells.  When I turned 48, I needed a change of pace and bought a $75 King trumpet at a Ward Brodt tent sale(complete with 4 free lessons from Peter).…When I first joined NHB, I was part of the trumpet section in the swing and concert bands.  However, seeing the need for a guitar in the swing band and a surplus of trumpeters, I learned the guitar parts and joined the band’s rhythm section.” Larry also plays the alto saxophone and “dabbles in dulcimer!”

Larry says playing music with others and forming an octet with other band members are what he enjoys most about his New Horizons experience; as to what he finds most challenging, Larry says, “Sight reading music with lots of rapid chord changes and 16th notes.  Playing trumpet or sax for more than a couple of hours at a time without blowing out my lips.”

Prior to the pandemic shutdown, Larry was the guitarist for the Anything Can Happen Octet and played alto sax in Second Wind, the Dane County Hew Horizons beginner band. When the pandemic hit, the octet has disbanded and, of course, so did all area bands, including New Horizons. Larry frequently attends concerts, musicals, festivals and workshops, both live and virtual, recently live streaming concerts from Canada.

A retired state of Wisconsin employee, Larry and spouse Rosie are passionate about travel, having been to Europe nearly 2 dozen times, sailed in the Galapagos, biked in China and visited all but a handful of states.  Larry admits to being a Canadaphile. “My wife and I annually (pre-pandemic) went to Canada for jazz and folk festivals and celebrated Canada Day in some Ontario town each July 1. My goal is to get to Newfoundland for both its natural and musical attractions.  When I’m not traveling or playing music, I plan future trips and look for travel bargains. I love foreign and indie movies, often seeing more than a dozen at the Wisconsin Film Festival each year.  I also enjoy hiking, tent camping, biking, cross-county skiing, snowshoeing and birding in season.”

You have to wonder when Larry gets time to practice!

Enid W. – clarinetist who spins yarn.

Enid plays the clarinet in our Madison New Horizons Band. Before she joined our band, she played in a few different bands for a few years, but they didn’t quite fit her needs, so, for a while, she wasn’t in any band. Says Enid, “…I found I missed playing terribly! Since I live in McFarland, where New Horizons rehearses, it was an easy choice to join up.” Enid began playing in the school band when she was nine; she wanted to play the piccolo – “it’s so cute,” but the director said she’d need to play the flute as her main instrument, but her hands were on the small side, so he suggested clarinet. Enid’s recollection, “In truth, I think there were already enough flute players! I complied and have stuck with it since.”

Enid really enjoys the diverse selection of musical pieces and the great people in the band, and, explains Enid, “The fact that the directors have talent and a passion for music is really great, too!” What Enid finds challenging is the fact that she has difficulty making time for practice at home, so some bits of music can be challenging. Rehearsal day can be long, and sometimes she wishes for a dedicated, soundproof room in the house! (Don’t we all!) Enid is also a member, along with her child who plays percussion, of the McFarland Community Band,

In her work life, Enid makes webpages, copyedits, works in Photoshop, and spins wool into yarn that she sells at craft fairs. Enid also hems and alters clothing, “I hemmed a few prom dresses in 2021 and sewed matching face masks from the hem material!” You can see some examples of Enid’s  work and crafts at https://haleystudio.com.

As for other interests, Enid says, “I adore my kid, of course, and I also enjoy gardening, walking in the neighborhood and parks, all kinds of fiber arts, and visiting other people’s pets. With my husband I enjoy board games, card games, and making silly jokes”.

We, Enid’s fellow band members, are grateful that Enid is also our webmaster – thank you Enid!