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New Horizons

The NEW HORIZONS music program originated at the Eastman School of Music (Rochester,    N.Y.) in 1991 by then Chair of the Department of Music Education, Dr. Roy Ernst.  Today, there      are over 120 New Horizons bands, orchestras, and choral groups across the United States,               Canada, and Australia.  Ernst notes that, "Older adults have the time and motivation to develop        musical skills rapidly.  In addition, performing music - especially in large groups - can improve        health and quality of life."  He adds, "many gerontologists believe that music making supports         good mental and physical health as one grows older.  Studies actually indicate that                            participants take less medication, have reductions in depression and loneliness, and have                 increased strength of the immune system.

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             The UNLV New Horizons Band was stared in January 2006 and is under the aegis of the                  Division of Wind Band Studies within the School of Music at UNLV.  This ensemble is                   offered as a non-credit course through the UNLV Department of Educational Outreach.                    In accordance with the New Horizons philosophy, this musical ensemble places an                           emphasis on the learning and enjoyment of music rather than the rigor and pressures of                    performance.  Although musical comprehension and appreciation are of the highest                         priorities, the UNLV New Horizons Band also performs regularly throughout the                              academic semester both on and off the UNLV campus.  Rehearsals take place every                         Tuesday night in BMC room 160 under the supervision of Professor Anthony                                     LaBounty.

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