Music Forever, a NHIMA Podcast

Jennifer has been making music and teaching piano for more than 45 years, inspiring everyone from beginners to seasoned band players.She leads The Shire Concert Band, Shire New Horizons Bands, and Sydney Southeast Symphonic Winds — and has also created school music programs, concerts, and camps along the way.Recognised with the Cook Community Award and trained at Trinity College London, she’s passionate about sharing the joy of music with her community.When she’s not waving a baton or sitting at the piano, you’ll likely find her travelling, cooking up something delicious, or playing games with friends and family.Ralph is a proud member of the New Horizons Band in Sydney, Australia. While music has always been a big part of his family’s life — with his wife Jennifer and their children being lifelong musicians — his own musical journey began later in life, at the age of 61.For most of his working years, he was involved in sport and focused on raising their children. Music was something he loved deeply, listening to everything from 60s middle-of-the-road classics to jazz, classical, and musicals. But he never imagined himself as a player — until retirement gave him the time and opportunity to explore that side of life.With Jennifer’s wonderful encouragement, he joined the New Horizons Band beginner group and took up the bass clarinet. Just six months later, he progressed to the intermediate band, and within a year, he was performing with the concert band. You could say he enjoys a challenge!Within two years, he began playing with The Shire Band — a sister group to New Horizons — aimed at secondary school students working at a Grade 3 to 5 level. It’s been a joy to be part of such a talented and enthusiastic group.

Shelley Hazen is the new Administrative Assistant for NHIMA since May 2025. She was raised in a musical home, where her father played jazz piano and her mother supported all of her musical interests — including making costumes for performances. Music was a constant presence in her life, with frequent jam sessions and a household filled with music at all hours. She began playing the flute in high school and has remained connected to music ever since. That passion carried into her family life as well, where she encouraged and supported her two sons, both of whom became skilled piano players. Shelley is an active member of the New Horizons Band at the Don Wright Faculty of Music in London, Ontario. She began in the Intermediate Band playing flute, and has progressed to the Advanced Band. Recently, she started learning the alto saxophone and currently plays it in the Intermediate Band as well. The saxophone has become a new and exciting part of her musical journey. Shelley also brings a strong background in administration and organization, with experience that includes working at an arts-based school. In her spare time Shelley also teaches yoga, golfs and plays pickleball. I would like to thank Shelley Hazen for doing this interview. If you would like to find out more about Shelley’s New Horizons Band, please go to https://music.uwo.ca/outreach/new-horizons-band.html

Mary Kitchen and her husband Allen are founders and directors of the Butler New Horizons Folk and Gospel Band in Butler, Pennsylvania. Mary has played guitar since her teen years, but missed her chance to learn violin in school when her family relocated. In her 50s she decided it was never too late, and started violin lessons at her local music store. She loved playing, and soon learned that what she enjoyed most was bluegrass fiddling. Now she takes part in many jams, both locally and at Chautauqua Institution, where she and her husband spend time during the summer. Mary and Allen started a New Horizons group in Butler because they wanted to share the joy of music with other adults.Mary grew up in Pittsburgh, and attended Duquesne University and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She has served several congregations as a Presbyterian minister since 1980, and is now semi-retired, pastoring two small churches in the Butler area. She includes music in virtually every service, often with Allen who plays keyboards.This interview took place in May 2025 via Zoom.If you would like to find out more about Mary’s New Horizons Folk and Gospel Band, please visit their Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/515715490764259/

Mark Enns graduated from Western University, London, Canada, with a degree in performance on clarinet. He continued his studies with a Master’s degree from the University of British Columbia and the summer diploma program in Wind Band Literature and Conducting at the University of Calgary. He retired in 2017 from a twenty-nine year career teaching secondary school music in West Lorne and London, Ontario. Mark joined the New Horizons program at Western University in 1999 where he conducts an advanced band, beginning group, and jazz band. He, along with members of the Western NHB program, organized the first New Horizons Band Camp in Canada held at Brock University in 2012 in Ontario. He also helped organize and lead Western NHB members in nine European tours. He currently sits on the board for the London Kiwanis Music Festival and Encore the Concert Band, a group in which he also performs. Mark has conducted in many NHIMA camps and will be co-director for the NHIMA Music Event in Mont Tremblant, QC for the third time in October 2025. If you would like to find out more about Mark's New Horizons Band, please, click here: https://music.uwo.ca/outreach/new-horizons-band.html

Debbi Gibson began her involvement with the NHIMA in 2016 when she became the conductor of the New Hampshire New Horizons Band of the Lakes Region. She was a former music educator of public school and collegiate levels for over 40 years. New Horizons was a perfect fit!! Debbi was still able to teach and make music!!! The “age” of the student was just a little different. Debbi earned her Bachelor of Music Education (BME) from Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music, with a Certificate in Performance and her Masters of Music Education (MME) from James Madison University. Currently Debbi conducts several groups alongside of the New Horizons Band; the Carter Mountain Brass Band of New Hampshire and the Taylor Community Chorus of the Retirement Community in Laconia, NH. An avid free lance musician, she continues clarinet and other woodwind instruments in ensembles in New Hampshire, such as the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra, the Newmount Military Band, the Center Harbor Town Band and the Gilford Community Band as well as playing in several pit orchestras. Throughout Debbi’s musical career, she has received many accolades. Those include; 2002 National “50 Directors Who Made a Difference”, 2005 New Hampshire Music Education Association (NHMEA) Distinguished Music Educator of the Year, 2011 New Hampshire Band Director Association (NHBDA) Outstanding Band Director Award. She has been a guest conductor at several middle and high school festivals as well as the guest conductor at the Adult New England Music Camp at Snow Pond. Debbi believes that “Music is Medicine”, and enjoys helping people share in the joyful and healing experience that music can provide both through conducting and performing on her clarinet. She lives in Sanbornton, New Hampshire with her Great Dane, Ziva and is surrounded by her children, 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. This interview was done in May 2025 via Zoom. If you would like to find out more about Debbi’s New Horizons Band please, go to https://newhorizons-lakesregion.org

Colin Enright is a Ph.D. candidate in Music Education Interdisciplinary studies at McGill University where he researches group music in community and educational settings and its effects on mental health, resilience, and general wellbeing.He is co-director and principal conductor for the Montreal New Horizons Band and works as a vocal coach and band director for the Préville Fine Arts Centre, a not-for-profit arts education organization on Montreal’s south shore. Having previously worked as an elementary and high school music teacher and as a conductor and musical director in the Montreal area, he is a member of the NextGen advisory council of the Coalition for Music Education in Canada where he works to embed evidence-based health and wellness practices in music learning and engagement. He is co-editor of the upcoming volume Pedagogies for Later Life Music Learning and Participation: Facilitating Creative Musical Development in Later Life.Colin is a Director of the Board of the New Horizons International Music Association since 2025.You can find out more about Colin Enright's New Horizons Band on www.nhmontreal.com

Mark Tietjen is currently serving as Executive Director and Conductor of the New Horizons Orchestra - Spokane, a position he has held since October 2019. A retired public high school music teacher, Mr. Tietjen brings 31 years of experience and musical performance excellence to NHO - Spokane. While at University High School, his ensembles consistently received Superior ratings at all local, regional, and international festivals.Professionally, Mark has performed with the Spokane Symphony, Clarion, Spokane Valley Summer Theatre, Coeur d’ Alene Summer Theatre, Spokane British Brass Band, and is currently acting as Principal Percussionist with the Coeur d’ Alene Symphony Orchestra.Mark will be conducting at the Cincinnati New Horizons Music Camp in July 2025.This interview took place in April 2025.To find out more about Mark’s New Horizons Orchestra, please go to their FaceBook page at https://www.facebook.com/new.horizons.orchestra.spokane/

Oscar Thorp is a conductor, trumpeter, and music educator based in Brooklyn, New York. Oscar is the conductor of the Mannes Prep Chamber Orchestra, the New York Late Starters Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Music Community’s Kings County Concert Band. As a faculty member at the Third Street Music School Settlement, Oscar directs several ensembles, including the Concert Band, Prelude Band, and the New Horizons Morning and Evening Bands. Through the InterSchool Orchestras of New York, Oscar coaches the brass in the Symphonic Band and is a substitute conductor with the ISO orchestras. He has appeared as a guest conductor with the Chelsea Symphony, the New Conductors Orchestra, the New York City Brass Choir, and Make Music New York’s Sousapalooza. Through his participation as a conductor with the New Horizons International Music Association, Oscar has given virtual classes on score reading and music appreciation.This Interview took place in April 2025 via ZoomIf you want to find out more about the Third Street New Horizons Band please go to: https://musicanddance.thirdstreet.nyc/activities/new-horizons-bands-(beginner-through-advanced)

Gerrit LamainA Compilation of Essays Volume 1 and 2My Song of Life (A Dream Realized)In this special episode of “Music Forever, a NHIMA podcast” Gerrit Lamain, a church organist and music educator, is featured.Born in Rotterdam, he and his family survived WWII and emigrated to the US. He became an organist playing in churches, international concert halls as well as hockey stadiums. He directed high school and college vocal ensembles. In addition to his U.S. music education, he also studied organ improvisation in The Netherlands.As Music Director of the Lowell Michigan Showboat, he worked with Louis Armstrong, Dinah Shore, Milton Berle, Bob Newhart, and Steve Allen. His choral groups performed for President Richard Nixon in the White House Rose Garden; his groups also performed in the Lincoln Memorial, Walter Reed Hospital, Arlington Cemetery and West Point Military Chapel.His organ concerts were broadcast over Luxembourg Radio, and his numerous recordings have been enjoyed around the world over the Armed Forces Network. His dream lived on in founding and directing the Woodbury Chorus and Orchestra in Woodbury, MN, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for area food shelves; his groups performed in European Cathedrals as well as little county churches.With humour and humility Gerrit reads one of his stories “A Dream Realized”, his journey in becoming a young organist who ends up playing at the Luxembourg Cathedral.I would like to thank Gerrit Lamain for sharing his story and Garrett Masters of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in West St. Paul, MN, in assisting Gerrit Lamain with AV assistance.His books “Gerrit’s Notes: A Compilation of Essays Volume 1 and 2” can be purchased on Amazon and are free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. All proceeds will go to local Food Shelves.

Cathy Wilcox has guided the Ottawa New Horizons Band program as founding band leader since 2008 at Dominion-Chalmers Church, and continues to serve as a band leader and member of the board of directors since its incorporation in 2017. Cathy holds an Honours Bachelor of Music with a minor in French, as well as a Bachelor of Education from Western University. Soon after graduating, she joined the vocal Renaissance octet Vox Humana, performing locally in concerts and theatrical presentations in conjunction with the Twelfth Night Society. In her over-30-year career as a music educator, Cathy directed musicals, choral ensembles, concert and jazz bands, and her school music program was selected for special projects, such as the pilot of Blues in the Schools and Listen Up! Cathy also served the Ottawa Carleton District School Board as both a music and arts consultant, developing curriculum content and offering workshops and classroom visits to schools across Ottawa. In addition, she worked on contract as an education resource creator for the National Arts Centre, and as a curriculum analyst for the Ontario Ministry of Education. Cathy has fond memories of participating as a band leader at the NHIMA Orford Band Camp, and looks forward to making music with friends, old and new, at the Mont Tremblant New Horizons Music Camp in October 2025!This interview took place in March 2025 via Zoom.If you would like to find out more about Cathy Wilcox’s Ottawa New Horizons program, please, visit https://ottawanewhorizons.com

Eric Heidenheim is a graduate of Western University’s Faculties of Music and Education in London, Ontario, Canada. He retired from the Thames Valley District School Board in 2018, after 30 happy years of teaching instrumental music at the elementary and secondary levels. Eric was as an active musician during his teaching career and he has played euphonium, trombone and tuba in several community ensembles. He also actively pursued conducting studies at many symposiums and summer courses. Currently, Eric is Music Director of the London Concert Band. He also conducts Once A Quartet and The Saturday Morning Brass, 2 ensembles that are affiliated with the New Horizons program at Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music. Eric has also enjoyed serving as a clinician and guest conductor at several elementary and secondary school band clinics in recent years, including the Ontario Provincial Intermediate Honour Band. Eric is thrilled to join the staff at the NHIMA Music Camp in Mt. Tremblant in October 2025. This interview took place in London, Ontario in February 2025. If you would like to find out more about the Western University New Horizons Band, please go to https://music.uwo.ca/outreach/new-horizons-band.html

François Dorion has been the Director of Music of the Regimental Band of Les Voltigeurs de Québec since 1997 and of L’Harmonie de Charlesbourg, which he founded, since 1993. He recently retired from a 30-year career as a high school teacher in Quebec, and is a composer of music for beginning band, some of which is published by Hal Leonard. He is Co-Founder and Director of the Quebec New Horizons Band. François has conducted both symphony orchestras and string ensembles and has recorded François Couture’s works Symphonie des lampes allumées and Yahndawa’. He serves as Canadian Armed Forces National Reserve Band Advisor, and is the teacher for the Master’s Degree in Conducting program at Université Laval. He has developed a special and innovative online program for continuing education in music entitled 'Expressive Conducting'. A renowned conductor and educator, he regularly appears at conducting workshops and high school clinics. François adjudicates at music festivals and contests and works as a Yamaha Artist Conductor-Educator. He studied conducting with Gilles Auger in Québec and attended several Wind Conducting Symposiums, with instructors such as Otto Werner Mueller at Domaine Forget, Craig Kirchhoff at Ithaca College and Mark Davis Scatterday in Calgary. He received his Master’s Degree in Conducting with Alain Cazes in 2015. He has commissioned many works from renowned composers including Jan Van der Roost, Bert Appermont and Philip Sparke. François’ discography consists of ten albums, including many cornerstone works for Wind Ensemble, pop and jazz music and a Christmas CD. François has conducted at several NHIMA music camps in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada. If you would like to find out more about François’ New Horizons group, please, go to their FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/people/Harmonie-Nouveaux-Horizons-Québec/100068052622978/ This interview took place via Zoom in February 2025.

Catherine Blake has a Master’s degree and a Diploma in Adult Education. She is currently enjoying retirement but worked for 30 years at Western University, first in Continuing Studies, then in the Faculty of Medicine managing courses for faculty, staff, and the community, and the final ten years as a research coordinator working on dementia research projects. She has been a member of the London, Ontario New Horizons Band since 2000 and also plays in Sounds of Swing, and Jazzabelles, two community swing and jazz bands in the city. Mark Kearney is an author and an award-winning journalist. His latest book is Al Christie: Hollywood’s Forgotten Film Pioneer, published in 2023. He has co-authored 10 other books and contributed to another three. Mark is currently a lecturer at Western University, teaching a range of journalism courses. Over his 20-plus years there, he has won several awards for teaching including the Dean’s Award of Excellence in Teaching in the Faculty of Media and Information Studies. Mark lives in London, Ontario and plays clarinet with the New Horizons Band at Western University. He also plays in the Alte Klezmer group and strums his ukulele weekly with the Southern Ontario Ukulele Players. He and his wife, Catherine Blake, are long-time members of NHIMA. This interview took place in London, ON in February 2025. If you would like to find out more about the Western University New Horizons Band, please go to https://music.uwo.ca/outreach/new-horizons-band.html

Susan Baskin has been a music teacher in the greater Toronto area for over 40 years. She taught instrumental music, including ORFF, recorder, concert band, guitar, and ukulele to students from JK-Grade 12, until she retired in 2018 from her most recent position, as Head of Music, at Bill Crothers Secondary School in Unionville, Ontario. Throughout her teaching career, Susan’s students received many accolades, and won awards at music festivals at the local, regional, and national level. Susan is passionate about the many benefits of music education for people of all ages. During her school music career, she initiated a long-lasting, highly impactful, intergenerational partnership between her students and members of the Encore Symphonic Concert Band in Toronto—a group made up of retired professional musicians. Now retired from teaching school music, Susan is currently leading several groups for adults, including a Concert Band and several ukulele ensembles. Susan is the director of New Horizons Music North York. This interview took place in Toronto, Canada in November 2024.If you would like to find out more about Susan's https://www.newhorizonsmusicnorthyork.ca

Jennifer Peace has degrees in Music and Education from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, as well as a Master of Music degree from the University of Toronto. She also studied Conducting and Music Education at the University of Michigan. She is a retired high school music teacher and was the Head of Arts for the Halton Board of Education for more than thirty years. She is actively involved in her community music-making scene, playing co-principal trumpet in the Oakville Symphony as well as various other community orchestras in the area. She is the founder of the Falgarwood brass quintet. She also has an interest in Music Theatre and has music-directed and conducted many community music theatre productions both in schools and in the community. One of her retirement projects was to start the New Horizons Band Burlington, Ontario, a plan she put into action in 2012. She started with six valiant members and today her group numbers over sixty. Recently she started a new beginner’s group in Burlington. She enjoys working with adults and she believes in the New Horizons philosophy that “it’s never too late to learn something new.” She is always excited to work with musicians at beginner level, and to watch their confidence and their musical skills grow way beyond their expectations. If you would like to find out more about Jenny Peace’s New Horizons Band in Burlington, ON, please go to https://www.newhorizonsbandburlington.com

Dan Foote is a lifelong percussionist. During his growing up years he lived in many places around the world, which gave him opportunities to understand and learn world music. He lives with his wife Penny Foote in Weston, MA and is still an active percussion educator. Dan owns hundreds of percussion instruments, which are neatly displayed in his studio. He brings his instruments to music camps, where he also works as a percussion instructor. Dan joined the Sudbury New Horizons Music group in Massachusetts and loves teaching people of all ages. Dan shares his very colourful journey of becoming a musician, the challenges of going on tour, his passion for teaching and his loving partnership with Penny, who has supported him throughout. Penny Foote is a yoga instructor and works together with Dan on lessons, that include music. She is Dan’s biggest fan and support, even though her sense of rhythm may not be perfect. Together they have taught at the New England Adult Music Camp in Maine, since its inception. If you would like to find out more about Sudbury Valley New Horizons Music, please go to their website: https://svnhb.org

David Morse is a chemical engineer from Keene, NH. He is the husband of Donna Morse, the founder of the Monadnock NHB. Dave shares his story about his love for music, his interest in playing low bass instruments, such as his beautiful upright bass, his electrical base and his baritone sax. In order to learn how to play a melodious instrument, Dave decided to learn to play the flute in Donna’s New Horizons Band. Dave describes the joys and challenges of playing in the band under Donna’s baton. Dave volunteers to play in all kinds of bands whenever and where ever he can. In his words: “he doesn’t do ‘idle’ very well”. Whether it is playing his instruments, or assisting setting up the stage, he can be found everywhere during music camps. Dave is one of the moderators for the NHIMA virtual (on-line) classes. Information about the virtual programming can be found here: https://newhorizonsmusic.org/Virtual_EventsIf you would like to find out more about Dave and Donna’s Monadnock NHB, please visit their website at https://www.mnhband.org

Al and Heidi Rochlin Alan Rochlin received a degree in music education from Temple University in Philadelphia, and his graduate degree in trumpet performance from The University of the Arts. Alan has been an active freelancer in the Philadelphia region for over 30 years and has performed behind many top performers such as Johnny Mathis, Frankie Valle, Natalie Cole, The Temptations and the Four Tops. He is a member in several community bands and theaters and especially enjoys performing with his wife, Heidi, and their five musical children! Alan is the Director of the Ringgold New Horizons Band in Reading, PA. He has conducted at the Cincinnati NHIMA Music Event in 2023 and 2024 and will be there in 2025. He will also conduct at the NHIMA Mt. Tremblant Music Camp in 2025. Heidi Rochlin comes from a very musical family. She received her Master of Science at Temple University for Secondary Mathematics Education. She has been teaching math, science and music for many years. Her administrative work included curriculum supervisor for grades K-12 in Math, Science and Music, superintendent of the Antietam School District and Executive Director of the Allentown School District. Al and Heidi share their love for music and their passion to teach music to all age groups. If you would like to find out more about the Ringgold New Horizons Band, please, go to www.ringgoldband.com

Susan Schirmer- holds a BS degree in Music Education & Theory Composition from Indiana State University, and a Masters of Music in Music Theory & Composition from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Susan's music career spans more than 30 years of music education in the public school system in the Lakota district in Ohio. Her career includes teaching elementary through high school students. She has conducted both student and faculty musicals at Lakota High, as well as musicals for other groups and churches. She has performed in the Cincinnati Park Band Concerts as a member of the Cincinnati Musicians Union. She has played clarinet with the Southwest Ohio Symphonic Band, Seven Hills Sinfonietta and Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra. About 20 years ago she founded the West Chester Symphony, and has been its conductor ever since. She has worked with the New Horizons Band of Cincinnati since 2012, beginning as the clarinet instructor and currently as one of 3 conductors of the group. Susan was co-director of the New Horizons Cincinnati Music Camp in 2023 and 2024. Susan shared her love for music and music education during this interview at the NHIMA Cincinnati Music Camp in June 2024. If you would like to find out more about Susan’s New Horizons Band of Cincinnati, please, go to https://newhorizonsbandcincinnati.org

Jack has been a music educator for 33 years at elementary and high school level including serving as band director in Cincinnati, OH at Moeller and Badin High School. He also taught band, jazz band, choir and other music courses in the Lakota School District. He was a member of the Ohio Music Education Association during his teaching career. Jack has been a trombone performer for over 45 yrs in swing bands in the Cincinnati area including the Blue Chip City Big Band, the Oscar Gamby Big Band and the Jump and Jive Show Band. He has also performed with several Dixieland Bands. Jack was one of the organisers and music directors of the Cincinnati New Horizons Music Camps in 2023 and 2024. Jack tells his story about his rich music upbringing, his career, his love for swing music and his enjoyment teaching New Horizons musicians.If you would like to find out more about Jack’s New Horizons Band of Cincinnati, please, go to https://newhorizonsbandcincinnati.org