The New Horizons Band was created by Roy Ernst in 1991 at the Eastman School of
Music with a grant from The National Association of Music Merchants. It was a model program for starting adults, particularly retired adults, with little or no musical
experience. Dr. Ernst will talk about how playing music can make a major difference in quality of life
for retirees and show many of them playing their instruments and talking about how it
benefits them. He will also talk about the special support that is given for starting a New
Horizons program. The musical culture of a community is incomplete without a program
that provides a comfortable entry point for adults.
Roy Ernst
- Biographical Information
Roy Ernst grew up in Troy, Michigan, attending Wayne State University for BS and MS
degrees in music education and The University of Michigan for a Ph. D. He taught
elementary school in East Detroit and high school in Livonia, Michigan. He moved to
Atlanta to teach at Georgia State University where he was a professor of flute, music
education, and director of the wind ensemble. Next, he moved to the Eastman School of
Music where he taught for 26 years and chaired the music education department.
Dr. Ernst received an honorary doctorate for his creation of New Horizons Music from
Western University in London, Ontario. He is currently advisor to the Board of Directors
of the New Horizons International Music Association, Inc. and regularly teaches and
conducts at the many New Horizons music camps held each year. His home is now
in Tarpon Springs, Florida.