On December 6, the Encores, the New Horizons Band, directed by Judith Shellenberger, will perform a holiday program for the community. New Horizons Band started in 1991 by Dr. Roy Ernst whose philosophy was that anyone could learn to play music at a level that would bring a sense of personal accomplishment. Thousands of New Horizons musicians have proven that to be true, many starting in their late retirement years with no musical background at all.  

Active participation in music fills important needs for adults – the need for challenging intellectual activity, the need to be a contributing member of a group, and the need to have exciting events in the future. For many people, music can serve these vital needs better than anything else.  The Encores, Williamsport’s New Horizons Band, began filling that need 26 years ago by becoming the 13th of over 300 bands in the United States and Canada.  

Currently there are 18 members in Williamsport’s Encore’s band with three members being over 90 years “young.” They practice at Robert M. Sides Family Music Center Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30-11:30. New members are always welcome and anyone interested can find out how to join by contacting the store. 

Judith Shellenberger, director, is the past president of the Association of Concert Bands and a sixty-year member of the Repasz Band, established in Williamsport in 1831.

The program begins at 12:15PM in the Lowry Room of the Welch Family Wing of the James V. Brown Library. Reservations are required due to space considerations. Please call the library at 570-326-0536 or use the library’s online reservation calendar (calendar.jvbrown.edu) before 3:00PM on Wednesday, December 4.  Parking is available in the public lot off Market Street, adjacent to the Welch Wing.