Community Band Spotlight
Contributed by Jim Lawrence, trombonist and media relations
New Horizons Band of Dallas, TX
As Navy personnel and their families gather in the background, conductor Mike Rossi prepares the New Horizons Concert Band of Dallas for a change-of-command ceremony on April 12, 2012. (Photo by Mary Kilgore)
New Horizons Band of Dallas, TX
As Navy personnel and their families gather in the background, conductor Mike Rossi prepares the New Horizons Concert Band of Dallas for a change-of-command ceremony on April 12, 2012. (Photo by Mary Kilgore)
Late on a windy morning in April, musicians from Dallas' New Horizons Concert Band gathered inside the Frontiers of Flight Museum, a huge converted hangar at Love Field. Assembled near rows of U.S. Navy personnel in dress blue, with historical aircraft suspended overhead, the band entertained with a concert as the audience arrived, then played for a change of command by the Dallas Navy Recruiting District. (See photo above)
It was the sixth U.S. Navy ceremony the band has been called to play for in as many years. While it is just one example of the varied appearances booked annually by Frank Bray, 1st trumpet and vice president of scheduling, it is described by Bitsy Laney, band president, as highly rewarding. She notes that the musicians consider it an honor to be part of the tradition, and the Navy's continuing invitations reflect the quality of the band.
NHB Dallas, a nonprofit association of more than 65 volunteer musicians, has come a long way since four founding members met in the back of a local music store in 1999. Today, in addition to the Navy ceremonies, repeat performances include the popular Christmas concerts at Dallas' NorthPark Center, the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, and the V.A. Medical Center during National Salute to Veterans Week. The remainder of the concert year is booked by private groups such as retiree, church and business organizations. .....
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