Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Community Music School, in partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, will begin offering ensemble performance opportunities to senior citizens in the fall. The new program is based on the New Horizons concept, a program that teaches beginning musicians over the age of 50. No prior musical experience is necessary, and all are welcome. Rehearsals begin Sept. 1. The cost of the semester program is $100 (not including instrument rental).
To kick-off the semester, a New Horizons Open House will be held Aug. 21 from 10 a.m.-noon. on the third floor of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. On this day, seniors are invited to see and hear various band and orchestral instruments, tour and experience the piano lab, meet the instructors and ask questions. Registration forms will be available at the open house or can be downloaded from the CMS website at www.uga.edu/ugacms/newhorizons.html.
An outreach program of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, the UGA Community School is designed to bring musical instruction to community members of all ages. The Community Music School faculty includes undergraduate and graduate music students enrolled in the Hodgson School of Music.
The concept of New Horizons was developed in 1991 by Professor Roy Ernst of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. Ernst’s primary purpose for starting New Horizons was to give seniors the chance to develop their musical skills and to provide a comfortable, low-pressure environment that focused on the enjoyment of music making. Since its inception, the program has quickly grown to include hundreds of programs and more than 5,000 members worldwide.
“Recent studies suggest that adults older than 50 are the fastest growing segment of the population,” said Kristin Jutras, director of the UGA Community Music School. “New Horizons programs embrace this burgeoning group of Americans by offering an activity that seniors, who often have the time and motivation necessary to develop musical skills rapidly, can adapt to fit their needs.”
The Hugh Hodgson School of Music is located at 250 River Road. For more information, see www.music.uga.edu.