New Horizons
New Horizons differs from traditional community bands by offering an open, no-audition program to adults at all music levels, from beginner to advanced. Some chapters are intended only for seniors, but our group is open to adults of any age. In our ensembles, we want to have fun making music together and supporting one another in strengthening our abilities. Not requiring an audition to join means we can be even more supportive.
Hooked On Bands
Our nonprofit, Hooked On Bands, supports one of Madison’s local chapters of the New Horizons International Music Association and is the second oldest New Horizons band in the world. We sponsor swing band and concert band performances in the Madison area, and we host an annual Band Camp [Our nonprofit, Hooked On Bands, supports one of Madison’s local chapters of the New Horizons International Music Association and is the second oldest New Horizons band in the world. We sponsor swing band and concert band performances in the Madison area, and we host an annual Band Camp with a whole weekend of immersive music making. We rehearse at the new, beautiful WYSO Center For Music in Madison. In addition to our nonprofit governance, our bands are managed by Ward-Brodt Music in Madison.
Our Style
We believe that every person has musical potential that can be developed to a level that will be personally rewarding. Our rehearsals are low-pressure places to jam, as we don’t expect perfection.
Our concert band plays pieces ranging from classical, marches, musicals, movie themes, to modern compositions. The swing band performs big band music from the first half of the 1900s to later rock and jazz pieces.
Our Directors
Kathy
Katherine Punwar taught many combinations of choir, orchestra, band and general music for 32 years, first in the Anoka-Hennepin School District in Minnesota, then at Sennett Middle School in Madison, Wisconsin until her retirement in 2016.
Mark
Mark Saltzman was a music teacher in the Madison Metropolitan School District for over 25 years. He has been a conductor at UW-Madison and Edgewood College, and a founding director of the Madison Wind Ensemble and the Madison All-City Honor Band.
The Board
Hooked On Bands, Inc. board meets regularly, and the meetings are open to all band members.
The Board of Directors is the primary workgroup for the HOB organization. In addition to their duties as board members, directors chair committees. Committee membership is open to any band member.
President
Lynda WrightSecretary
Brenda AbitzTreasurer
Bob SchlaeferVice President
LoAnn PetersonSocial Chairs
DeeDee HesslingMark Plane
Members at Large
Caren YoungSheryl Roe
Dick Murray