CSRA New Horizons band offers older and retired adults a second chance to pick back up or learn to play an instrument through fellowship and friendliness.
Provided through the University of South Carolina Aiken’s Continuing Education Program, many of the members are at least 50 years old, with the youngest being in his early 30s.
Although the band was predominantly intended for older adults, they pride themselves on welcoming anyone regardless of age or musical abilities – evident in the younger members and the volunteer high school percussionists who will also be performing.
Through a free, upcoming concert at the university’s Etherredge Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m., the band will perform with jazz bands at 340 Scholar Loop, Aiken, S.C. and show off their newly learned songs.
The CSRA New Horizons International Music Association, with over 180 groups worldwide, was built with an emphasis on the importance of accepting adults who are looking for a new opportunity to learn how to play music in a group setting similar to those offered in schools.
Several in the Aiken band are either discovering how to play a new instrument, or have found a renewed love for one they have not touched since high school. For those with more advanced skills, there is also a jazz band which focuses on more challenging songs.
Oldest member and unofficial mascot Lois Potter, 91-years-old, has been a part of the band from the very beginning when it was founded in 2010. Loving that it encourages her to get out of the house, Potter said the band is all about camaraderie, socialization and creating music as a team.
“They’re very nice people, and I just enjoy them. I’ve always enjoyed music, and we have a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s just nice to be challenged and still do something like that … it keeps your mind active. It’s good for the soul.”
As a result of those leaving during the pandemic, the group lost many members but they are hoping to gain some more in the near future. When they have enough people, the group is even known to have a beginner and intermediate level who all perform at the concerts along with the jazz bands.
With an open invitation for an array of talent, Potter said beginner musicians can receive guidance and lessons from the director, university faculty, and fellow students or members.
“It’s a commitment, but it’s fun,” she said. “And no one gets besotted if you make a mistake.”
Jan Parsons, who has played flute in the band for six years, said she was at first intrigued by the idea of practicing with others her own age.
Parsons said she first started playing the flute back in junior high and, after over 50 years, decided to pick it up once again to join the group.
“The people are just wonderful, and everybody approaches it from ‘we’re just having a good time,’” she said. “Some of the people in the band have had a lot more experience or are a lot more professional, but most of them are like me … we all just love music and we love playing together.”
Parsons said she loves that whenever the group makes a mistake, they laugh about it and move on. She believes that the non-judgmental aspect of the band allows them all to have fun without any self-consciousness.
Parsons said she especially loves hearing how the other instrumental parts fit together to create a beautiful song and how they each get better as time goes by.
For previous shows, she remembers loving Christmas concerts and some patriotic performances the band did for the Wounded Warrior golf tournaments in Aiken.
Parsons said she really likes practicing songs as a team to work towards an end goal of performing them well in front of an audience. The ultimate intent is to show others what they have been able to learn and try to do it well.
Joining when she was 69 years old, prior to her entry in the band, Parsons said she had just lost her mother and felt New Horizons gave her a new focus and outlet for her extra time and grief.
“I often think that she would’ve loved that I had gotten back into playing the flute,” she said. “So, whatever else is going on in life, I know I have an outlet and I have a way of getting out some anxiety by playing music.”
Program Director Matthew Castner, who was preceded by Lauren Meccia, said he felt extremely welcomed when he first started directing, and said Potter takes a huge part in leading the group in both positivity and friendliness.
“She really makes the group,” he said. “I was worried walking in, being 27 or 28 years old and fresh out of school, but they are all so receptive. They want to have fun and want to get better.”
Due to the established cordial culture of the group, Caster said it was easy to take over without making any waves; he feels as though he fit right in with the older adults despite the obvious age gap. He describes the members as very accepting and said they often gather around new participants to ensure their comfort – something which he believes they do because they have all experienced being the new person in a group.
“It feels like a whole support system and family here, which is really nice to have people like that around,” he said. “Everybody is friends and so supportive of each other. I think, for a lot of them, this is one of the highlights of their week and that’s a really special thing to be a part of.”
Caster hopes that attending audiences will see how powerful creating music can be and how it can change people’s lives for those that are involved.
“I think for me what is so different about them, compared to the college and high school kids that I work with, is they are doing it because they love it,” he said.
Castner loves that the group even separates him from his day-to-day job and allows him to let loose and have a little fun.
“I think in the serious music world, where you are bogged down in high school or college, it can feel like a job … some of the most joyful experiences for me are with this group,” he said.
With a strong belief of the importance in community bands, Castner also said he is so proud of the band’s progression, and is very excited for its future and the possibility of adding new members.
“It’s just made of wonderful folks who have a good time,” said Potter.
For more information on the CSRA New Horizons and Jazz bands’ upcoming concert or to join the band contact the director by email at Matthew.Castner@usca.edu
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
