The Iowa City New Horizons band poses for a group photo during practice at the Iowa City Senior Center. The Iowa City NHB is the third New Horizons Band in the United States. (Submitted photo) — The Iowa City New Horizons band poses for a group photo during practice at the Iowa City Senior Center. The Iowa City NHB was the third New Horizons Band in the United States when it formed in 1995. (Submitted photo)

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This story first appeared in the December 2024 issue of Prestige, a special section dedicated to telling the stories of Iowans over the age of 55.

When Steve West helped found the Iowa City New Horizons Band in 1995, he hoped that someday he’d be able to join the group. Nearly 30 years later, the band for older adults is still going strong, and West finally joined as a musician, playing bass clarinet.

West, who was president of West Music at the time of the band’s founding, had helped innumerous kids start their musical journeys, but also saw that many had little opportunity to continue playing throughout their lives. He met New Horizons Band founder Dr. Roy Ernst, who had started a band for adults aged 55 and over, in Rochester, New York, and was so inspired by Ernst's philosophy that he organized a meeting in Iowa City to see if it could be done there.

“He gave a program about how rewarding it was for not only him as the conductor but for getting seniors together, making music together, socializing together, and I thought it very compelling,” West said.

Ernst wanted to create opportunities for adults to make music, from beginners to those picking up an instrument after long years of careers and raising families. What differentiates a New Horizons Band (NHB) from other community bands are their partnerships with the music programs of local colleges and universities.

The Iowa City NHB partners with the University of Iowa School of Music, with its conductors coming from the Music Education Program.

“There has been a longstanding relationship between Iowa City New Horizons Band and the University of Iowa, and I think both organizations pride themselves on having such a healthy camaraderie,” said current conductor and UI Doctor of Musical Arts student Cory Schmitt.

The Iowa City band is the third NHB started in the United States. There are now bands across the United States and in other countries. West also helped found a New Horizons Band in Cedar Rapids in partnership with Coe College and one in Cedar Falls in collaboration with the University of Northern Iowa.

The Iowa City NHB has loose criteria of needing to be age 50 or older, but really has made it open to anyone who is interested. They have a Monday Night Live band for beginners or those wanting to play just for fun, which is led by undergraduate conductors from UI. There are also smaller ensembles and a Silver Swing band.

The NHB is a higher-level band, playing around 10 concerts a year at the Voxman Music Building, Englert Theatre, Iowa City Senior Center and other locations around Iowa City. Many of the band’s 52 members (the number fluctuates as members take vacations or snowbird) are former band directors, and some have played in military bands.

This is Schmitt’s first time conducting an adult band. He spent eight years teaching middle and high school students in Forest City, Iowa, five of those years also teaching college students at nearby Waldorf University.

The Iowa City New Horizons Band practices at the Iowa City Senior Center. The band has roughly 52 members, most of whom are over the age of 55 and retired. (Submitted photo)

“It’s been really enjoyable adding in this other age demographic,” Schmitt said. “If you are still playing your instrument at retirement age, then you obviously have a superb involvement and dedication to this art and this discipline.”

Z Keith-Zamora, the Iowa City NHB president, says the group is gearing up for its 30 th anniversary next year. Upcoming concerts include a joint event with the Iowa City Community Band on Dec. 22 at the Englert Theatre that will include some Christmas songs.

“I like to do it because it keeps my mind going. Keeps it active. I don’t like Sudoku, so I joined a band,” Keith-Zamora said.

Keith-Zamora said that the band is a great social outlet for seniors, and the challenge of the pieces really bonds them together. They practice Tuesday and Thursday mornings year-round at the Iowa City Senior Center.

Sometimes UI music students come to listen to their band practice.

“They’re so pleased to know that yes, music doesn’t have to end for your life when you’re done with your four years of college,” Keith-Zamora said.

The conductors choose the music, and Schmitt says he likes to challenge the band, knowing that as they continue to practice — they usually have three or four months to prepare for concerts — and stay diligent, they will take pride in their ability to bring pieces to life.

“It’s exciting to be able to program this level of music with them and then for them to not just survive through it but to thrive artistically through it and present it to an audience,” Schmitt said. “It is such an honor to stand in front of them and make music with them.”

For more information on the Iowa City New Horizons Band, visit IowaCityNHB.org.