The New Horizons Musical Organization of the Lakes Region has two music directors: Debbi Gibson conducts the full band and Mary Divers conducts various ensembles and plays trumpet in the band.
Debbi Gibson
What is so special about the concept of the New Horizons Musical Organization of the Lakes Region? For Debbi Gibson, it’s working with “young” musicians. Helping them develop their technique and musicianship in order to bring out the passion in their playing in this ensemble setting. Debbi finds the guidance she provides is rewarding not just to the musicians, but to her and the audience members that enjoy their playing. You are never too old to start something new, and why not let it be music, the medicine of the soul.
Debbi Gibson began her musical training on clarinet following in her mother’s footsteps. It was during her first several lessons on clarinet in the 5th grade that she spoke of making music her career. In her words, “I’m going to be a clarinet person when I grow up.” Mrs. Gibson participated in all aspects of music throughout school, she followed her dream entering Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music and majored in Music Education with a Certificate in Performance. Upon graduation, she received the National Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. After graduating from college, she taught middle and high school band and chorus in Virginia for seven years, obtained her Masters in Music Education from James Madison University and with her family moved to Pennsylvania and shortly thereafter to New Hampshire. She returned to teaching and has been for the past 37 years, kindergarten through collegiate level, most recently at the Lakes Region Community College. Throughout Mrs. Gibson’s musical career, she has received many accolades. Those include; 1974 John Philip Sousa Outstanding Band Member, 1974 USMC Semper Fidelis Award, 2002 National “50 Directors Who Made a Difference”, 2005 NHMEA Distinguished Music Educator of the Year, 2011 NHBDA Outstanding Band Director Award, and guest conductor at several middle and high school festivals. Mrs. Gibson performs regularly with the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra, the Lakes Region Woodwind Quintet, the Newmont Military Band, the Center Harbor Town Band, as well as the NHMF Festival Chorus. Along with conducting the New Horizons of the Lakes Region Band and Jazz Band, she is the conductor of the Taylor Community Chorus and the Carter Mountain Brass Band.
A resident of Sanbornton, New Hampshire, Debbi enjoys being with her children and grandchildren while still keeping active in music education and performance. She is also very involved in Music Ministry in her Parish.
In Memory of Mary Divers (1950 – 2023)
Co-founder of the New Horizons Musical Organization of the Lakes Region
For Mary Divers, music was a joy. Throughout her life she created, shared, and taught music, spreading that joy to her students and the community. Her music journey began in elementary school where she learned to play the Baritone Horn and the Sousaphone. By eighth grade she had decided to become a music teacher. In high school she learned to play the trombone. She participated fully in all high school activities related to music, including acting as student director and playing in NH All-State Band. Upon graduation, she was awarded the Jay Hurd Memorial Outstanding Band Member Award. In college, Mary went on to study music and received her music education degree from Plymouth State and later a Master of Music Degree from West Chester State College in PA.
Mary used her music degrees to teach hundreds of students the skills needed to play an instrument or sing. Her musical skills, positive attitude, patience, and joy for music made her an exceptional teacher. She began her career teaching in Colebrook, NH. Later she joined the faculty at the Music Clinic in Belmont, NH specializing in wind instruments. Mary, along with Karen Simpson, founded the New Horizons Musical Organization of the Lake Region in 2007. She directed the band until her health issues made that impossible. She continued with the band as a trumpet player until a few weeks before her death. Mary was also co-founder of the Granite State Ringers and played handbells with the group for ten years. She directed the choir and bell choir at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Laconia and played in various bands in the Lakes Region. One of her favorite activities was attending Adult Music Camp in Sidney, ME every August.
Our band is very grateful to Mary for her hard work in starting and growing the band and developing the talents of our band members. We look forward to honoring her by continuing to perform for the Lakes Region for many years to come!