Profile

Here Comes The Judge — Trumpet Playing That Is!

As with many in the New Horizons Band, Andy Somers got back to playing music after a long hiatus.  A lengthy legal career kept him busy and away from blowing the trumpet.  While he continues to practice law in retirement, he also returned to blowing trumpet after inheriting a horn from his brother. 

What first brought you to the New Horizons Band?

My trumpet instructor Herr Peter Ziegler encouraged me to join the band. I overcame my anxiety and came to my first session and enjoyed it. No one pointed out my sour notes or the fact I occasionally played the wrong music. I liked the group and came back again and again.

Why do you play the instrument you play? 

In my gay and shallow youth , I followed my older brothers’ trumpet playing and I played a little during my teens. It was tough to practice because I was living in an apartment and had cranky, sensitive neighbors. When I left for college I put my horn away for about 60 years. When my brother died, his widow told me to take some of his trumpets as this was his wish. I picked a Bach Stradivarius and a Yamaha Fluegelhorn. I then sought lessons to learn to play again. Oh, those wasted years!

What has been the most enjoyable part of your experience with New Horizons?

My most enjoyable time with the band is going to Door County Band Camp. I look forward to this all year. I am still surprised that I can play all weekend. At home in practice, I lose my lip after a half hour. At camp, we keep on playing.

What has been the most challenging?

Tough times—I struggle keeping count, especially after long rests. I also have problems with fast rifts. Sometimes I pick a note and leave the rest.

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

I have played solos at church. These are dear souls who do not criticize or complain.

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

I still keep at the law and take some cases from the Wisconsin Public Defenders Office. Last year, I represented a family in the Tucson Immigration Court. My goal is to prevent deportation of a mother and small son. So far I have been successful.

Profile

Forty Years Between Gigs and Emily’s Still Blowin’

Emily Link

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.

Profile

Some Sax, Some Acting, Some Exercise…

by Jerry Greenberg 

Harvey Black

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.

Profile

One instrument not enough for Ken Johnson

by Jerry Greenberg 

Ken Johnson

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.

Profile

Phil Started Later In Life But Now Blows in Seven Bands!

Posted by Jerry Greenberg 

Phil Vorlander

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.

Profile

An Original Member of the Band, Muriel Plays Flute Because of Her Sister

Turned off to the clarinet by her older sister’s practice routines, Muriel Gilbert looked for a different instrument to play… and fell in love with the sound of the flute when she attended her sister’s school band concert.  

What first brought you to the New Horizons Band?

I saw an ad in the paper in August 1992 notifying interested people who were over 50 years old, that a band was forming.  I liked the part about ‘no experience needed’ because I had only played a borrowed flute in high school, had no music lessons, and hadn’t played a flute since leaving high school (had to leave the borrowed flute behind), which was over 30 years.

Why do you play the instrument you play?

Two reasons:  My sister played the clarinet in our high school band and after listening to her squeek and squawk during her practice, I knew I didn’t want to play the clarinet, although I love the sound of a well-played clarinet now.  I attended one of my sister’s concerts when I was in the 8th grade and she was in the 10th grade.  The flute section had a featured  part in one of the pieces and I thought they sounded heavenly, so that had a big influence on my decision.  The second, more practical reason, was that I had to walk a mile to the bus stop to get to school with almost an hours bus ride, and there were no back packs in those days so I really couldn’t carry my books AND a big instrument.  So, flute it was!

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

I love the opportunity to make music with others.  If I only had myself to listen to, I probably would have quit long ago.  I’ll never be good enough to be a solo player, but do pretty well adding a little ‘filler’ to the section.  I think learning new pieces all the time forces my mind to stay sharp and active and that’s a good thing when you get up in years.  The New Horizons Band came along at a time when I really needed something fun to do and nice people to be around.  I had been divorced after a long marriage and I found the group to be a caring and supportive group.  I had been so busy working at UW Hospital, and also working on my graduate degree, that getting out one evening a week to play music, meet new people, and finally have an opportunity to attend band camps, was just what I needed.  We were a very small group when we started (about 16 people), so we knew each other very well.

What has been the most challenging?

My parents couldn’t afford music lessons for me, so I never learned to read music very well.  Our high school band was full of people like me so we weren’t very good.  In fact the music we play in the NHB is much more difficult than anything I ever played back in high school.  I have a good ‘ear’ so that got me through a lot of difficult pieces—still does.  My goal was to take flute lessons once I retired but then I met John, married him when we were both 62yrs old, and we have stayed very busy traveling and working in our flower and vegetable gardens on our five acres out near Spring Green.

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

I have been in the New Horizons Band since the very beginning—25 years in fact.  It is one of the most important things in my life and even though I don’t practice as much as I should, I miss very few band practices because my week doesn’t feel complete if I don’t make it to band practice.  I played a few years with the Waunakee Community Band and really enjoyed it but found I couldn’t keep up with two bands and since the NHB was my ‘first love’ I stuck with it.

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

John and I have 8 kids, 9 grandkids and 3 great grandkids between us (most are mine), and they are scattered all over the country with 3 kids overseas.  We spend a fair amount of time keeping up with them and trying to maintain close relationships.  We love to travel and see/learn new things.  We also own a one room stone schoolhouse that is about 150 years old.  It is rented now but our dream is to move there when we are ready to ‘downsize’ from our present home.  That will cut our commute to McFarland in half.  John and I also love to cook and bake together and enjoy having friends over to share a meal.