What is the Montreal New Horizons Band
Credits: Suzy Truong
Founded in January 2014 by Audrey-Kristel Barbeau as part of her doctoral research project, the Montreal New Horizons Band is a community initiative that promotes intergenerational music-making and offers teaching opportunities for students in music education.
The MNHB obtained its Non-Profit Organisation status in June 2014. Since then, the MNHB received media coverage from the English and French communities and performed in the wonderful Pollack Hall (McGill University) on multiple occasions. Through a partnership with the Schulich School of Music (McGill U), students in music education and MNHB members have in the past got together to make music come alive and have fun! This activity is now centred at University of Quebec at Montreal.
The Montreal New Horizons Band is made of about 60 members and is divided into three groups.
The Initiation band aims at offering basic instruction in music (notation and sight-reading, theory, instrumental techniques) to prepare for the Adagio Band, which performs music from classical and jazz repertoire. Once ready to take on new challenges, it is possible to join the Allegro Band. MNHB participates in many projects with the Schulich School of Music (McGill University) and proposes a variety of activities throughout the year.
The Montreal New Horizons Band is an entry point for people interested to learn to play music. Members receive quality instruction in a collaborative and supportive environment. Our team of teachers is well trained and dedicated to offer the best accompaniment throughout the learning process.
Vision
That the Montreal New Horizons Band be the instigator of a social movement that integrates musical practice into a healthy lifestyle.
Mission
That the Montreal New Horizons Band be a bilingual, intergenerational organization aiming to offer and advocate group learning of music in the community in order to promote fulfillment and well-being for everyone.
New Horizons Philosophy
The New Horizons International Music Association (NHIMA) is a worldwide organization comprised of over 200 New Horizons groups in the United States and Canada, whose 9,000 members are over the age of 50. For over twenty years, the New Horizons Music program has helped musical groups form to give seniors an opportunity to learn (or re-learn) how to play an instrument or become active in other musical endeavors.
The New Horizons philosophy, “Your best is good enough”, is the overarching umbrella that captures the positive spirit necessary for senior musicians to engage and succeed.
