You, Too, Can Be a Musician at Age 50 and Beyond

Music has always been a part of my life.  As a child, my brother Tom and I used to play the "Name That Tune or Artist" game as we did our dishes chore in the evenings.  Even today, I think we both know every song and artist coming out of the 1960s and 1970s.  


I sang in the school choirs from junior high through college and in several church choirs, too.  At the age of 14, I got my first guitar and taught myself chords.  And in college, I put posters up around campus to hold auditions in my dorm room for singers and musicians to join my band.  Our band won the college talent show and we ended up playing several gigs for pay at the local colleges!


Off and on over the years I've played a little guitar on my own.  But with retirement upon me and this new opportunity arose through the New Horizons Music Program to learn new instruments, I've become more motivated than ever to develop my musical skills.  


The New Horizons Music Program was started 20 years ago by Roy Ernst, a PhD in Rochester, NY.  Roy's philosophy was that, "...Anyone can learn to play music at a level that will bring a sense of accomplishment and the ability to play in a group.  Thousands of New Horizons musicians have proven that to be true, many starting in their late retirement years with no musical background at all."


I love Roy's philosophy, "...the style of instruction must be completely supportive and free of competition and intimidation...Your best is good enough."  As Paul Simon said, "Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die".


Music chases away boredom and learning an instrument keeps your brain exercised which is so important as we age!  I know there are 182 New Horizon Bands across the country.  Why not check out their Web site at http://www.newhorizonsmusic.org/nhima.html and jump in with both feet!