Musical Collaborations

Music Never Gets Old

	Music education senior Mike Szczegielniak and New Horizons Band member Jean Fickett teach each other a few things about playing the French horn.

The language of music can make connections across cultures and generations. No matter the skill level, all are welcome to join the New Horizons Band. The only requirement? You must be at least 50 years old.

The New Horizons Band at the Michigan State University Community Music School, which started in 2003, is comprised of senior members from the community who wish to learn to play a band instrument for the first time, or be come reacquainted with an old favorite.

Patricia Kroth, director of the band, first heard of the New Horizons program, which started at the Eastman School of Music in 1991, while she was a graduate student there. “I thought there was a need in the East Lansing area for such a group and the Community Music School is the perfect outlet,” said Kroth. The Community Music School, created in 1993, was established as an outreach division of Michigan State’s School of Music.

Besides all the learning and relearning going on in Kroth’s group, New Horizons Band members have a hand in teaching a few things as well.

Two years ago, Kroth and music education professor Mitch Robinson began a collaboration where Robinson’s instrumental methods students work one-on-one with Kroth’s New Horizons Band members providing personalized instruction prior to practice. During these lessons, both teacher and student learn from each other, said Kroth. With their wealth of life experiences and knowledge, band members can give input to the instrumental methods students, while the students’ music and education training al lows them to guide the adult learners toward improvement.

New Horizons Band, with conductor Patricia Kroth, offers free concerts throughout the year

Robinson matches the New Horizons members with their teachers (MSU students). “We truly value the opportunity to learn about teaching from people who have the experience and knowledge to help us learn in such a meaningful way,” Robinson says. “The New Horizons Band members and their director have been so generous with their time and so encouraging to my methods students – it’s really been a win-win situation.”

Clarinetist Eleanor Leap played in high school but had not touched the instrument in more than 40 years. “I love the time the MSU students spend with New Horizons. We learn so much from them,” Leap says. “The excitement of bringing generations together through music really cannot be put into words.”

New Horizons saxophonist Karen Nelson took private lessons as an adult, but had never played in an ensemble. “After the lessons with my MSU student instructor, I can see why he recommended I take advantage of the opportunity to join the New Horizons Band. The more insight and opinions and explanations you can get, the better,” she says. “Someone just might have the exact explanation to give you that ‘light bulb’ moment.”

Longtime New Horizons Band member Jean Fickett was a music teacher in her “first life.” “Music has always been a part of my life,” she says. Fickett went to school to become a band director, but taught vocal music in New Hampshire. She has tried her hand at the piano, clarinet, oboe, and now the French horn. “I think this collaboration is wonderful. It gives a chance for the students to practice teaching skills without having kids in the classroom. Mike Szczegielniak, my student teacher, is a great horn player and a wonderful teacher.”

About the director, Fickett says, “Patti Kroth has great people skills and makes all the old folks feel welcome and good about their progress and skill level. She is very encouraging and very enthusiastic.”