(IN THE PHOTO: The Heart of Texas New Horizons Band, shown here in a file photo, will offer a class for beginning musicians starting January 23.)

A new class for beginning musicians will be held this spring by the Heart of Texas New Horizons Band (HOTNHB), offered by Howard Payne University’s School of Music and Fine Arts. Participation in the popular program, now entering its third year, is open to senior adults, and no previous musical experience is required.

Starting January 23, the beginner class will be held on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 4 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. in the Band Room of HPU’s Davidson Music Complex. The classes are free of charge, though students are expected to provide their personal band instruments and music books.

“Playing music in groups supports good mental and physical health, besides being an unending source of joy,” said Stephen Goacher, professor of music at HPU and director of the HOTNHB. “The New Horizons Band offers unique fellowship for seniors and the value of a meaningful challenge for each new day.”

The New Horizons Band is modeled on NHB International Music programs of Rochester, New York; Carefree, Arizona; Madison, Wisconsin; Plano, Texas; and Loveland, Colorado. These programs have been featured in many national newspaper and journal articles and on NBC’s Today show.

Goacher has been impressed by the first two years of the HOTNHB.

“All of these chronologically gifted musicians have either met or exceeded their original expectations,” Goacher said. “These senior adults have a lot of life experience to bring to their interpretation of music.”

For more information about the HOTNHB, contact Stephen Goacher at 325-649-8167 or sgoacher@hputx.edu.