photo by CAROL SHETLER/The Luminary (Left-right): Elinor Hallabulk, Lucy Henry, and Kathy Cimini at the New Horizons Open House held recently at the Robert M. Sides Family Music Center in Williamsport.

WILLIAMSPORT – Members of The New Horizons Band, hosted an open house March 17, at the Robert M. Sides Family Music Center in Williamsport. The event was held in hopes of generating new members. The New Horizons Band consists of musical senior members of our communities.

“After not meeting from two years due to the pandemic, we’re here to get the cobwebs out,” said director Lucy Henry. One might imagine that during the shut-down, musicians would have spent some time in practice. At least one musician admitted they’d only picked up their instrument twice, but we were not to identify them.

Elinor Winder Hallabulk, a Montgomery native currently of Sullivan County, joined the band in January 1998. The invitation come from her Laporte neighbor, Annabel Rogers, who’d said to come along and see what its like. The two car-pooled the substantial distance to practice at Williamsport.

Speaking of her early years in music, Elinor said, “I played trumpet in the seventh and eighth grade bands at Montgomery. As I also play the piano, I’m familiar with notes and timing.” It had been many years since her band days, so Elinor, who appreciates all varieties of music, relearned slowly and is now considered proficient. As the group travels to entertain at senior centers and nursing homes, Elinor, a former English teacher at Muncy, remarked that, “It’s rewarding to see our audiences enjoy our presentations.”

Williamsport resident, Kathy Cimini is a part-time employee at Clear View Residential Center near Montgomery. The potential member said, “I’m still thinking about joining.” Originally from the York area, Kathy is a former alto clarinetist with her high band. “I have my old clarinet, but it would need new pads. I also play piano, so I’m familiar with reading music,” she said. This fall, Kathy will advance to the position of President of the Williamsport Music Club. As to her favorites, Kathy said, “I like music from the 40s and 50s, classical, and marches.”

The New Horizons Band, a national organization, was adopted by Carol Sides who established Chapter 13 here. The idea of a band for seniors, was learned during a trip to Anaheim, California, where annual shows are sponsored by the National Association of Music Merchants.

Sides, a violinist, defines band members as patient and kind, helping each other carry instruments and music for setups. She recalls the bands presentation to patients at the State Hospital in Danville. “It was especially nice to see their hands and feet moving to the music,” she said.

Member Judy Shellenberger provided a list citing health benefits gained in playing brass or woodwind instruments. They include breath control, confidence development, strengthening core muscles, boosting adrenaline, and stress relief. All instrumentalists increase hand-eye coordination, gain emotional development, sociability, reading goals, and most of all, getting out of the couch potato syndrome.

During the session, former director Al Nacovich and his wife, paid a surprise visit and was warmly received. The couple moved from Williamsport to Lewisburg, where they now reside.