About NHB 

The Roeland Park New Horizons Band Chapter

The Roeland Park New Horizons Band, a chapter of the New Horizons International Music Association, is offered by Johnson County Park & Recreation District's 50 Plus Department in conjunction with the UMKC Conservatory. 

The band rehearses at the Roeland Park Community Center in Roeland Park, Kansas. 

Concerts take place at the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center four times per year. Concerts are free and open to the public. Check the Concerts tab for upcoming performances. 

Dr. Joseph Parisi is the Director and co-founder of the Roeland Park New Horizons Band.

Our story begins with Dr. Parisi's outreach to Johnson County Park & Recreation District's 50 Plus program to form an intergenerational band. The band met for the first time in 2005 with 38 participants, ages 50 through 80, at the Roeland Park Community Center. With a motto of  "it's never too late," over half the members had never played a band instrument. The other half were reliving a satisfying experience from their youth. Dr. Joseph Parisi of UMKC, arranged for approximately 20 members of his music education class to work with the adults as instructors and band conductors.  The class was composed of choral and instrumental music majors learning new instruments alongside the band members and getting their first experience as band conductors. From there, our band has grown to 65 members in the peak season of Fall 2019. The following year, unprecedented changes fell upon the world, but the Covid-19 pandemic did not stop the music! Our band members took on the challenge of technology and met virtually to not only practice, but even perform concerts viewed by their family members around the world. The slide show below is a small composition of our history. The band is back to meeting and performing in person. 

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New Horizons International Music Association

NHIMA logo

The New Horizons International Music Association is an international non-profit organization committed to New Horizons' philosophy of music-making and undertakes initiatives designed to support the development and growth of New Horizons music organizations.

The first New Horizons Band program was formed by Dr. Roy Ernst at the Eastman School of Music, in Rochester, New York. It was designed to serve the senior population age 50 and older. Many hundreds of NHB chapters have started since that time, in the United States and internationally.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q - What is your rehearsal schedule?

A - The concert band meets Tuesdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Roeland Park Community Center. There are three sessions during the year: Fall Session, Spring Session, and a short Summer Session.

Q - I can't play a note. / I'm actually an accomplished musician. Is New Horizons Band right for me?

A - New Horizons Band welcomes all musicians. There are no audition requirements. For those who are new to music, taking up a new instrument, or have been away from their instrument for a long time, our band directors and student assistants will work beside you during rehearsal. 

Q - What is the concert admission fee?

A - Concerts are always free of charge. We welcome donations to help support the purchase of band equipment. Click here for donations.  When donating online, please choose "50 Plus Program" from the My donation is for dropdown selection category. In the Comments box, type "New Horizons Band. 

Q - Is New Horizons only for seniors?

A - The New Horizons concept, developed by founder Dr. Roy Ernst, is to create opportunities for musical education and expression by older adults. Johnson County Park & Recreation District's 50 Plus program gives priority to participants over the age of 50. Should space allow, we accept members under 50. Music education majors at UMKC join our band to play their second or third instruments and conduct some of the pieces under the direction of the band director.

Q - How much does this cost?

A - The fall 2022 registration fee is $95 for Johnson County Residents and $105 for non-residents. Each session has a separate enrollment.  Click here to register. 

Q - I  have more questions. Who can I talk to?

A - Lisa Eagle      Phone: 913.826.3161     E-mail: [email protected]