NEW HORIZONS BAND
of KANKAKEE VALLEY
ABOUT US
The New Horizons Band of Kankakee Valley exists to foster the musical enjoyment and growth of its members and to provide a medium by which members can share their talent with the Kankakee community and beyond. Membership is open to players who have a desire to once again enjoy the pleasure of making music with others.
New Horizons Band Dues Policy
-
$75 per person per semester (due by the 1st concert of the semester)
-
In the case of members residing in the same household, the first member is $75, the 2nd person is $50, and the 3rd person is $25.
-
Dues are waived for your first semester of playing with the New Horizons Band.
-
New members are provided with a New Horizons concert shirt free of charge.
-
A folder of music is provided to each band member each semester.
HISTORY OF NEW HORIZONS BAND
Professor Roy Ernst organized the first New Horizons Band in 1991 at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York. The purpose was to provide a group in which people could participate in a band fostering musical enjoyment as well as provide a medium by which members can share their talent. There are approximately 200 such groups throughout the United States, Australia, and Canada
In February 1998, The New Horizons Band of Kankakee Valley began with a total of just 13 instrumentalists. The first New Horizons Band concert was performed at Grace United Methodist Church on May 21, 1998. The band has also performed every December since 1998 at Good Shepard Manor in Momence. 230 musicians have been a part of the band over the last two decades.
Dr. Harlow Hopkins and Dr. Keith Ramsden were the original conductors. Dr. Hopkins retired as conductor in April 2012 . Dr. Ramsden retired in April 2014. Our current conductor Rod Williams began conducting the band on September 8, 2014.