New Horizons Band
Ensembles
New Horizons Band has a variety of ensembles. These are self-led groups, unless indicated otherwise in their description, that organize their own rehearsals, secure their own music, and schedule their own performances.
Silver Swing
This 18-20 piece ensemble of the Iowa City New Horizons Band enjoys playing “Big Band” jazz music for audiences. Silver Swing is very much a contemporary jazz band performing the jazz of today as well as the classics. It is primarily a performance band of trumpets, trombones, saxophones, bass, percussion, and piano. The band is generally led by a UI music education student and is made up of members of the Iowa City New Horizon Band plus others recruited to fill needed positions. Rehearsal is usually during the daytime. The band regularly plays at community events like the Arts Fest or the Iowa City Jazz Fest and draws an appreciative crowd who enjoys the music performed by these chronologically gifted musicians. Contact for Silver Swing is Bob Brady at bobsbrady@gmail.com.
Old Post Office Brass
The Old Post Office Brass players are members of the Iowa City New Horizons Band. This quintet of trumpet, trombone, horn and tuba players call the Iowa City Senior Center home, hence the name, as it is located in the repurposed federal post office building. The group performs a wide variety of music, including jazz, ragtime, Dixieland and popular show music. OPOB began as a trio (trumpet, horn, and tuba) in late 1997. During 1998, it was briefly a quartet (added a trombone). By the end of the year it had become a traditional brass quintet (2 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba). In 2003, OPOB was invited to play at the AARP National Convention in Chicago.
Contact: Steve Schomberg -- 319-541-2290
Tempered Brass
The Tempered Brass is a quartet comprised of two trombones, euphonium and tuba. Unfortunately these instruments are “temperamental” and refuse to perform by themselves. Consequently they are accompanied by four “well-tempered” individuals who are set on having fun while providing their listeners with a bit of entertainment. Tempered Brass performs an incredible variety of musical styles from classics to jazz, along with some dialog that will make the entire process thoroughly enjoyable. Contact: Ken Slonneger <slonnegr@uiowa.edu>.
Monday Night Live!
Monday Night Live! is a small band that is independent from but associated with the Iowa City New Horizons Band. It meets late Monday afternoon, 5:30 to 6:30, at West Music in Coralville and is directed by a University music student. The group is open to all adults, regardless of age. Session dates are similar to those of the New Horizons Band. It serves as both a beginner's band and a refresher band. Some members of Monday Night Live! also play in Iowa City New Horizons Band.
Section Groups
Instrumental groups led by student directors meet at 8:30 A.M. on the days of rehearsal (except summer). Depending on the numbers available, the groups may be divided into brass choir, woodwind choir, reed choir, clarinets, flutes, percussion and saxophones. Each active group usually performs during a recital concert at the end of the session, usually a couple of days prior to the band concert at the Senior Center.
