About New Horizons Music Fox Valley
New Horizons Music Fox Valley (NHMusic) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides affordable music education, training and performance opportunities for adults of any level of musical experience, who desire to play in a community band or orchestra.
Adults who wish to play again or learn to play for the first time are invited. All skill levels are welcome. No auditions are required.
The NHMFV point of difference from a typical community band or orchestra is that community musicians are typically expected to know how to read music proficiently, play skillfully, practice on their own and be well prepared for rehearsal without instruction. The NHMFV program teaches adults at any level of musical ability without judgement and provides them with a weekly group lesson and rehearsal as a full band or orchestra. Additionally, members have the opportunity to perform in seasonal concerts and be part of a band or orchestra community. The alternative is taking private lessons and practicing alone at home.
Under the New Horizons Music umbrella are New Horizons Band Fox Valley (concert band), New Horizons Orchestra Fox Valley (string orchestra) and smaller more informal band ensembles. Our adult instructional music program currently has around 100 participants. Both the band and string orchestra have highly qualified and experienced directors and instructors. Since 2004, our music program has instructed hundreds of adults – many of whom now perform with local community bands.
THE BOARD
Board of Directors
The New Horizons Band Fox Valley and New Horizons Orchestra Fox Valley are entities under our parent organization, New Horizons Music Fox Valley. Both entities are overseen by a joint Board of Directors whose members consist of representatives from the Band, the Orchestra, and the Community-at-Large.
Board Officers
- Ryan Smith, President (Heid Music – Appleton)
- Doug Marsh, Vice President (band)
- Debbie Berg, Treasurer (orchestra)
- Allen Chantelois, Secretery (band)
Orchestra or Band Board Representatives
- Rachel Kesselmayer (orchestra)
- Michele Leiden (band)
- Jennifer Salm (orchestra)
Members-at-Large
- Rachel Schulz
- Brenda Timm
Ex-Officio
- Jenny Leist (Director – band)
- Rachel Richards (Director – orchestra)
NHIMA
The New Horizons International Music Association
New Horizons Music Fox Valley is a proud member of the New Horizons International Music Association (NHIMA.) The NHIMA movement was started by Roy Ernst, PhD in 1991 at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, and is now an international program with hundreds of bands, orchestras and other ensembles. His philosophy driving the program is that anyone can learn to play music at a level that will bring a sense of accomplishment and the ability to perform in a group; your best is good enough; and no audition is required to join the New Horizons program. Click the logo to visit the international website.
