About Our Classes

New Horizons Band of Toronto is a music education and performance program for mature adults who wish to play a concert band instrument in a friendly group setting: flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, euphonium, trombone, tuba, bells, xylophone, drums & many other percussion instruments.  

We offer band classes at 4 levels ranging from absolute beginner to advanced levels, taught by experienced, professional music educators.  Classes are held once per week in the daytime and evening – you choose when and where you fit…NO AUDITIONS!

Green Band 1 (beginner level) –

Please use our Contact Us form to let us know you are interested.  Please include your preference for a day or evening class. We’ll contact you once the class is being offered. 

Teacher: To be determined 

Times: To be determined

Description: This class is open to absolutely new players, and those who are returning. FYI, many of our members have come back to “band” after decades away. This class is also perfect for anyone who wishes to try or learn a new concert band instrument. This class will also perform in two NHBT concerts per year. The class will use a method book and will learn to play music to the grade 1.0 level. Appropriate theory will be explained and practiced.

No musical experience is necessary. We start in Book 1, page 1 and take you from there. This is an excellent opportunity to dust off those rusty skills and get back in the game. The class will cover everything from putting your instrument together and taking care of it, to basic technique, to music reading and playing in a group.

Instrument Loaner Program: For new registrants in the Green Band 1 class, we have a limited number of instruments available to loan for one term, if needed, on a first-come-first-serve basis. 

Our instrument “Petting Zoo”: This is an Instrument Workshop – a chance to try any or all of the instruments, and our teachers will be on hand to help you pick the one that is right for you! See our home page for the date of the next “petting zoo” 

Green Band 2 (continuation from Green Band 1)

Teachers: Cathy Whiteside 

Times: Evening: Thursdays 7 pm to 9 pm

Description: This class is open to those who are continuing their Green Band 2 journey. This course is also perfect for anyone who has recently started playing again but feels a beginner class would be too basic. This class will also perform in one NHBT concert by term’s end. The class will continue to use the method book and will learn to play music to the grade 1.5 level. Appropriate theory will be explained and practiced.

Concert Band (Intermediate level)

Teachers:

Times: Day: Thursdays, 10 am to 12 pm, Evening: Wednesdays, 7 pm to 9 pm

Description: This class welcomes players of any concert woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments with some current band experience on their instrument. 1-2 years of instruction is recommended. Music from grade 1 to grade 2.5 levels will be studied and played. Appropriate theory will be explained and practiced.

This band is for those who wish to continue developing skill on their instrument and explore a wide range of musical styles in traditional concert band instrumentation. Appropriate theory will be taught and practiced. This class performs in public at two NHBT concerts per year.

Prerequisites:

• Wind Instrument Players: rent/own your own instrument.
• Percussion Players: own a stick/mallet kit – hard and soft
• Be able to read notes in the clef of your instrument, including up to two ledger lines above and below the staff
• Have enough music theory/background to be able to play one octave major scales to 3 flats and 2 sharps, play rhythms to eighth notes/rests, read basic times signatures, and play in time.
• Play with a good tone at dynamic levels from p to ff

Or permission of the teacher.

Symphonic Band (Advanced level)

Teachers: Marianne Spilberg (day)

Times: Tuesdays, 10 am to 12 pm

Description: This class welcomes players of any concert woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Open to anyone who has ample band experience on their instrument – 3+ years playing in our Concert Band class or equivalent.

In this class, the focus is on developing a diverse repertoire and moving at a quicker pace while still creating an enjoyable musical experience. The class will perform pieces at tempo with good intonation, balance, style, and expression. Appropriate theory will be taught and practiced.

This band is for those who wish to be challenged on their instrument and explore a wide range of musical styles in traditional concert band instrumentation. This class performs in public at NHBT concerts and for special events in the community.

Prerequisites:

• Wind Instrument Players: rent/own your own instrument
• Percussion Players: own a stick/mallet kit – a variety of hard to soft mallets
• Be able to read notes in the clef of your instrument, including ledger lines above and below the staff
• Have music theory/background to be able to play:

Or permission of the teacher.

Wind Symphony (Advanced Plus level)

Teacher: Marianne Spilberg

Time: Tuesdays, 1-3 pm

Description: This class welcomes experienced players of concert woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Players need to have significant band experience on their instrument – 2+ years playing in the Symphonic Band class or equivalent.

This class aims to perform challenging pieces at various tempos with excellent intonation, balance, style, and expression. Appropriate advanced theory will be taught and practiced.

This class is for those who wish to be well challenged on their instrument and explore a wide range of musical styles in traditional concert band instrumentation. This class performs in public at NHBT concerts and may perform at public events throughout the year. This class also creates reference recordings for other classes.

Prerequisites:

• Wind Instrument Players: rent/own your own instrument
• Percussion Players: own a stick/mallet kit – including a good range of mallet densities
• Be able to read notes in the clef of your instrument, including ledger lines above and below the staff
• Have music theory/background to be able to play:

Or permission of the teacher.

Big Band 1 (Intermediate level)

Teacher: Patricia Wheeler

Time: Wednesdays 10 am – 12 pm.

Description: This instrumentally balanced group will be introduced to the popular large dance band music of the 20th century that finds its roots in the African Diaspora. Repertoire will focus on music genres such as Swing, Latin, and Rhythm & Blues. The class will focus on playing and listening skills appropriate to each  genre, as well as developing instrument technique.

Requisite:

• Be able to sight read grade 2 music or higher or permission of the teacher
• Facility with major scales of up to 4 flats and 4 sharps.

Maximum Class Size: 35

Registration Process: Registration by prior arrangement with the teacher. Be in touch to see if this is the right class for you. You can use the Contact Us form if needed. 

Seat priority will be given to those members who are enrolled in a concert band class and concurrently looking to enrich their learning by also taking this class.

Once priority positions are addressed, there will be open seats to be filled by anyone who wishes to register, regardless of whether or not they are enrolled in other classes. Seats will be assigned by the teacher.

Big Band 2 (Advanced level)

Teacher: Patricia Wheeler

Time: Wednesdays 1 pm – 3  pm.

Description: This instrumentally balanced group will continue to explore music characteristic of  the popular large dance band music of the 20th century that finds its roots in the African Diaspora. Repertoire will focus on music genres such as Swing, Latin, and Rhythm & Blues, at a more advanced level. The class will focus on playing and listening skills appropriate to each  genre, as well as developing instrument technique.

Requisite:

• Be able to sight read grade 3 music or higher, have experience playing swing in a big band setting
• Facility with all 12 major scales, or permission of the teacher

Maximum Class Size: 35

Registration Process:

Registration by prior arrangement with the teacher. Be in touch to see if this is the right class for you. You can use the Contact Us form if needed. 

Seat priority will be given to those members who are enrolled in a concert band class and concurrently looking to enrich their learning by also taking this class.

Once priority positions are addressed, there will be open seats to be filled by anyone who wishes to register, regardless of whether or not they are enrolled in other classes. Seats will be assigned by the teacher.