The New Horizons organization in Grand Rapids consists of many ensembles, small and large.
New Horizons Band (an advanced band) Horizons Too (an intermediate band) Nancy's Novices (a beginning band) Ransom Street Big Band New Horizons String Ensemble Beginning Swing Band New Horizons Dixieland Band New Horizons German Band New Horizons Percussion Ensemble
The original New Horizons Band in Grand Rapids, our Monday morning ensemble, is comprised of
approximately 60 members. This group is the most advanced of all the
ensembles in the program whose members form the core of some of the other
ensembles. Participants include musicians who have played music all
their lives as well as those who have returned to music after not playing for a
while. The group performs intermediate and advanced level concert band
repertoire. Morning rehearsals also include a coffee break so folks can
chat and connect with each other socially as well as musically. Musicians enjoy performing outreach programs and concerts throughout the year.
Horizons Too is our Monday afternoon ensemble with about 30 members. This group includes members who are returning to playing their instruments after many years away or have some experience with their instrument. Musicians play late beginning to intermediate music. Each rehearsal features a coffee break where members can enjoy the social aspects of music making. Horizons Too joins with New Horizons Band as the Red Band to present outreach programs.
Nancy's Novices is a beginning band program. It meets for 12-14 weeks beginning in January 2012. All wind, brass and percussion players are welcome. Watch the website for more details.
Ransom Street
Big Band has a traditional swing band instrumentation from
the Big Band era. As such, we play music from the 30's, 40's and 50's,
as well as some more contemporary settings of familiar pieces for the instrumentation.
The 19 members enjoy sharing the Big Band music with outreach to various organizations ranging from Camp Bluebird to local retirement communities
Membership in this group is by
invitation only.
The New Horizons String Ensemble is dedicated to the study and performance of string chamber music of all styles from late Baroque to the present. All styles of music are explored including Bluegrass and traditional fiddling. On occasion efforts of the West Michigan New Horizons wind players are combined with the strings for presentations of string/woodwind chamber music. The group performs several times a year in concert as well as for community outreach.
The Beginning Swing Band is a small ensemble led by Mr. Ken Huisman who is very experienced in this type of music. Instrumentation includes saxophone, trombone, trumpet/cornet and rhythm section (drums, bass, piano). Currently the band also has a baritone playing the trombone parts! If you want to learn to play swing/big band era music this is the place for you!
The New Horizons Percussion Ensemble is made up of members of the West Michigan New Horizons percussion sections and studies a variety of musical styles. The ensemble uses mallet percussion, a variety of drums and various ethnic and novelty percussion instruments. The Percussion Ensemble is currently delving into calypso music with the addition of one steel drum with more on the way. Any member of WMNHME is welcome to "keep the beat" with the Percussion Ensemble. This is a seasonal group which generally rehearses in the fall and spring. Membership in this ensemble is dependent upon membership in a concert band or Ransom Street Big Band.
The New Horizons Dixieland Band is a seasonal ensemble which generally rehearses in the winter & spring. Musicians come from members of West Michigan New Horizons Band, Horizons Too and Ransom Street Big Band. The photo to the left shows the Dixieland Band performing at Fifth/Third Ballpark. Membership in this ensemble is dependent upon membership in a concert band or Ransom Street Big Band.
The New Horizons German Band is a seasonal ensemble which generally rehearses in the fall. Musicians come from members of West Michigan New Horizonws Band, Horizons Too and Ransom Street Big Band. The German Band enjoys performing for Octoberfest-style events. Membership in this ensemble is dependent upon membership in a concert band or Ransom Street Big Band.
The original New Horizons Band in Grand Rapids, our Monday morning ensemble, is comprised of
approximately 60 members. This group is the most advanced of all the
ensembles in the program whose members form the core of some of the other
ensembles. Participants include musicians who have played music all
their lives as well as those who have returned to music after not playing for a
while. The group performs intermediate and advanced level concert band
repertoire. Morning rehearsals also include a coffee break so folks can
chat and connect with each other socially as well as musically. Musicians enjoy performing outreach programs and concerts throughout the year.
Horizons Too is our Monday afternoon ensemble with about 30 members. This group includes members who are returning to playing their instruments after many years away or have some experience with their instrument. Musicians play late beginning to intermediate music. Each rehearsal features a coffee break where members can enjoy the social aspects of music making.
Ransom Street
Big Band has a traditional swing band instrumentation from
the Big Band era. As such, we play music from the 30's, 40's and 50's,
as well as some more contemporary settings of familiar pieces for the instrumentation. 
The New Horizons String Ensemble is dedicated to the study and performance of string chamber music of all styles from late Baroque to the present. All styles of music are explored including Bluegrass and traditional fiddling. On occasion efforts of the West Michigan New Horizons wind players are combined with the strings for presentations of string/woodwind chamber music. The group performs several times a year in concert as well as for community outreach.
The New Horizons Percussion Ensemble is made up of members of the West Michigan New Horizons percussion sections and studies a variety of musical styles. The ensemble uses mallet percussion, a variety of drums and various ethnic and novelty percussion instruments. The Percussion Ensemble is currently delving into calypso music with the addition of one steel drum with more on the way. Any member of WMNHME is welcome to "keep the beat" with the Percussion Ensemble. This is a seasonal group which generally rehearses in the fall and spring. Membership in this ensemble is dependent upon membership in a concert band or Ransom Street Big Band.
The New Horizons Dixieland Band is a seasonal ensemble which generally rehearses in the winter & spring. Musicians come from members of West Michigan New Horizons Band, Horizons Too and Ransom Street Big Band. 
The New Horizons German Band is a seasonal ensemble which generally rehearses in the fall. Musicians come from members of West Michigan New Horizonws Band, Horizons Too and Ransom Street Big Band. The German Band enjoys performing for Octoberfest-style events.