Launched in 2008, North Bridge Magazine is a twice-yearly publication tailored to Acton, Carlisle, Concord, Lincoln, Sudbury & Wayland residents and edited to enrich the experience of living in six of Massachusetts' most desirable communities.
Issue link: http://northbridgemagazine.epubxp.com/i/490312
A t Sudbury Valley New Horizons Music (SVNHM), their motto says it all: "Your best is good enough." With a concert band and string orchestra that are open to all area adults — even people who have never played an instrument — SVNHM is com- mitted to creating a musical environment that is non-competitive, non-intimidating, and fun. Hugh Chandler, who at 84 is one of the band's oldest members, is a clarinet player in the 65-member band. Before joining, Chandler had not played his instrument for nearly 70 years — not since junior high. He says that because of his age he is in a period of declining skills. "Sometimes I can't play," Chandler says. "But no one cares. I'm a member of the band. Period. The band's motto isn't just words." music BY KERI LYMAN 32 ★ north bridge magazine ★ S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 Begun in January 2008 in Wayland, SVNHM is set up to appeal to the many adults who thought the chance to play with a musical group had passed them by. According to its web- site, the organization "is your entrance to the world of instrumental music … for adults who love music and want to be involved playing music with others." And, as it turns out, the group's "best" is pretty darn good, says frequent con- cert attendee Julie Secord, director of the Wayland Council on Aging. "The SVNHM band always delights our summer outdoor concert crowds!" Secord says. "It's inspirational to think that people who have never played an instrument or perhaps were a little rusty after not picking up their instrument for years team up with some already accomplished musicians to form this high- caliber musical family. SVNHM is a regional treasure." SVNHM is one of the 218 international chapters of New Horizons Music, which was started about 20 years ago by Dr. Roy Ernst in New York State to encourage adults — especially older adults — to realize their wish to make music. This Wayland chap- ter was founded by Sudbury resident Diane Muffitt, the current music director of SVNHM, after her brother in Michigan had a positive experience conducting a New Horizons band. Now retired after 38 years as a public school band director, the cheerful and energetic Muffitt was most recently band director at Wayland Middle School. "When I started the band, I advertised to all the towns that touch Wayland. I expected to get maybe 20 people, but about 80 showed up to the first rehearsal. Now we have members from all over the It's Never Too Late to Play Music R I N T Z E Z E L L E Violinist Brian Holland of Framingham.