Karen Davis, 73, is diving back into music by learning to play the marimba, in addition to her clarinet, which she picked up in the fifth grade.
“But I won’t tell you how long ago that was,” she joked.
After her senior year in high school, she put her clarinet away, believing her concert days were over. “I thought that was my last performance; I closed my clarinet and assumed it was the end. College left little time for music,” she explained.
Fast forward 42 years, and now, in retirement, Davis has rejoined the New Horizons Band of Western New York, based at SUNY Fredonia, where she has resumed playing her clarinet.
“I realized I needed to return to making music,” she said.
The New Horizons Band primarily consists of older adults and originated in Rochester, with additional bands in Potsdam, Oswego, and Syracuse.
“Starting again feels like a new beginning; it has truly given me a fresh perspective on life. The atmosphere is much more relaxed. We play to the best of our abilities, and our director, Kate, is fantastic about that,” Davis shared.
Kate McKay, the band’s director and a professor emeritus of music education at Fredonia, welcomes musicians of all skill levels.
“You really can learn to play something again and return to it. Many retirees seek activities to keep their minds active and to have fun. It can be challenging to reconnect with an instrument without some form of support,” McKay noted.
Support also comes from current music students and other conductors who help these musicians thrive.
“It’s like riding a bicycle; it may be tough to balance as you age, but you don’t forget how to ride. Playing music is beneficial for your mind and keeps you sharp. You read a different symbolic system, enhance your physical coordination, listen attentively, and work in real time. Plus, socializing is crucial for maintaining our health and perspective as we grow older,” McKay explained.
This aspect of social interaction is especially meaningful to Davis, who finds a sense of accomplishment in playing again. She encourages others to give it a try.
“It’s good for your brain. I don’t think we would have 65 people here regularly if it wasn’t enjoyable for everyone involved,” she stated.
New Horizons Bands have also expanded into several other states and a few countries worldwide.
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