New Horizons Band

The New Horizons Band of the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center was established in January 1995. It provides an opportunity for "chronologically gifted" adults (50 and older) to learn to play a musical instrument or to resume/continue, and enjoy playing with others in a band. The band is directed by Dr. Don Coffman.

Membership has grown from the original group of 24 to well over 60 members, permitting the development of many other performing groups, including the "Antique Brass" choir, "Post Horns", "Polka Dots," "Silver Swing," and various chamber ensembles such as "The Tempered Brass", Jazzy Flutes and Friends" and "The Second Wind". The concert band regularly performs in the Iowa City/Coralville area, but has also accepted invitations to perform throughout Iowa including Boone, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, Washington, and at the Iowa Bandmasters Association convention in 1996. Senior Center membership is required and a small tuition fee ($65/semester) covers the costs of instruction and band music. Previous background in music or on a band instrument is helpful, but not necessary. Band members can testify that it is possible to learn to play an instrument as a senior adult! Playing in a band is just too much fun to leave it all to the younger kids.

Iowa City New Horizons Band practices are held every Tuesday and Thursday morning (except during the month of August) at the Iowa City Senior Center, 28 S. Linn St., Iowa City, IA. From 8:30 A.M. to 9:15 A.M., September- May. University music education students provide sectional instructions. From 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M ., Dr. Coffman rehearses the entire band. Contact Dr. Coffman for summer (June and July) rehearsal hours.

A beginning and intermediate program for novice or "rusty" players meets Monday evenings at 5:30.

Information about other New Horizons bands in the United States and Canada can be found at http://www.newhorizonsmusic.org. New Horizons Bands in Iowa are located in Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, Des Moines, and Mason City.

For additional information, contact the Senior Center at (319) 356-5220, or Dr. Coffman at (319) 335-3026.

Special Events | Scheduled Concerts