The New Horizons Musical Organization of the Lakes Region

The New Horizons Musical Organization of the Lakes Region, often also referred to as the New Horizons Band of the Lakes Region, was started by Mary Divers in 2007. The band started out with approximately 25 players at a novice level. At the current time, the band has grown to about 40 members of varying musical backgrounds and playing levels. The band is now under the direction of Debbi Gibson and Mary Divers directs various music ensembles (i.e. brass, woodwind, etc.) and plays trumpet in the band.

The band performs around the beautiful Lakes Region in New Hampshire and beyond. Favorite venues to perform are the Veterans Home in Tilton, Taylor Community in Laconia, Belknap County Nursing Home also in Laconia, in Meredith for the Independence Day festivities, at the Gilford Community Church, and in Sanbornton for the Old Home celebrations.

The idea for a New Horizons Band came from the New Horizons International Music Organization. New Horizons originated in 1991 in Rochester, NY, under the lead of Dr. Roy Ernst. The motto of New Horizons is Music for Life. New Horizons musical groups provide a place for adults to be involved in a musical experience. It was designed to include those who had no musical experience, those who stashed their instruments in their closets for ten to fifty years and whomever fits in the category in between all that. The benefits of participating in music are many. It offers intellectual challenge, socialization within a group, participation in events and continued learning.

One important aspect is just experiencing music which is experiencing life. There are more than 200 New Horizons musical organizations throughout the world. Included are bands like ours, orchestras, choral groups, jazz groups, and small ensembles. Also, now there are camps offered to promote more musical experiences. Many members of our New Horizons Band go to Adult Band Camp in Maine each summer for a week. Once there we experience many kinds of music and comradery with fellow musicians.

The Musicians

Flute: Ginny Barunas, Jenny Beck, Amy Blongy, Caroline Clairmont, Angie Jorgensen, Jana Laudadio, Lynn Sanford, Image Sweet

Clarinet: Stacey Baston, Connor Finchum, Linda Haller, Jane Hart, Sebrena Leclerc,Dolores Slaton

Bassoon: Brian O’Meara

Bass Clarinet: Maggie Lohmann

Alto Saxophone: Linda Clairmont, Bonnie Hall, Brian Pfitzer, Mary Ann Sopelak

Tenor Saxophone: Bill Boulton, Fran Woodward

Baritone Saxophone:

Trumpet: Charlie Bullerwell, Steve Christie, John Early, Jim Fletcher, Cindy Haskell, Paul Leuchte, Brian Pride, Paul Sanborn, Karen Simpson

French Horn: Mary Carpenter, Jean Kemp, Jeff Kemp

Trombone: Angelo van Engelen, Dave Merriman, Rich Norton

Euphonium / Baritone: Robin Rollins

Tuba: Karl Kimball

Percussion: Cooper Blake, Rick Filiau, Joy Power, Kathy Spikes

Announcers: Valerie Kimball, Kathy van Engelen