Learning a new instrument is a symphony of discomforts – squeaks and blats where pure notes should be, odd squiggles on the page leading the way, and perhaps a nagging feeling that you may be in way over your head.
It’s challenging and strangely vulnerable, and opens up all sorts of neural pathways in the brain, making it an experience deemed necessary for most elementary and middle school students.
But those are busy times for many kids, and other interests or hobbies might take over. For many, the end of middle school band wasn’t a lack of desire to play music, but rather a lack of time.
Eileen Alexander understands this deeply. As a music teacher for nearly four decades, she’s seen it all, from every age of student. And when she officially retired, she decided to try to find those who want to get back to the music with the Flathead Valley New Horizons Band, a program for students 50 and older (though some band members have kids in their teens playing as well).
“I’m forever a band kid,” Alexander said. “I just can’t imagine not playing music.”
There are already community bands in the Flathead, she noted, but involvement is contingent on already knowing the instrument. New Horizons students start at the very beginning, with a book most students will remember: Essential Elements No. 1.
After a few sessions in the beginner group, the students are then asked to join the main group. There, they work on pieces Alexander has selected to fit their abilities, while also pushing them to grow.
One piece that they started working on two years ago, called “Salute to Louis Armstrong,” was finally ready for public consumption, and was played at the band’s most recent concert earlier on May 15. New Horizons plays three concerts a year, one per semester. Each semester costs $75, with that money going toward costs such as music rights.
Alexander, 69, started the Flathead’s chapter of the national New Horizons group in 2010 with 14 students. Now, she has about 50 to 60, and would love to expand to at least 100, so she could have three bands.
Glenda Brown, 64, was one of the first members.
“It never crossed my mind to play saxophone,” she said while putting together her tenor sax. “When I was a kid, I wasn’t able to learn an instrument. Our family moved a lot.”
Their first concert was at the Kalispell Center Mall during the Christmas season, and they played some of the most basic tunes they’d learned. Saying it was akin to herding cats, Brown said she’s been impressed with Alexander’s ability to keep the band learning and smiling.
“The wonder of it is she’s patient and funny and firm, all together,” Brown said.
Kathryn Motley, 53, said her decision to join New Horizons happened after her kids had all grown and left the house. When they were younger, the Motleys decided to instill the tradition that all their kids have to play an instrument growing up, because it was something she had never done, Motley said.
“I saw the importance of it so much that I decided we needed to do this,” she said.
Once the kids were gone, Motley had more time on her hands, and decided to practice what she’d preached. She started from “ground zero” about three-and-a-half years ago, getting up at 5 a.m. to practice the tenor sax in a shop on their property.
“I just kept plugging away at it, and Eileen was so patient,” Motley said.
Motley remembers only being able to play two of the 15 songs presented at her first concert, but those two were a triumph. David and Marty Palmiter, a couple in their 60s who joined in September 2014, said just being included is thrilling.
“You play what you can play,” David said, holding his trumpet.
“Every time they got to a G note, I would play it,” Marty said of her first concert with the clarinet.
“Eileen brings you along with what you can do…” David started.
“…she should probably be up for sainthood,” Marty finished.
All of the musicians said anyone thinking about trying it should. Not only is learning a new instrument beneficial for mental function, but it can help with deep breathing and keep arthritic fingers moving. Alexander said some of her members are in their 80s, and any modifications they need are figured out.
“Physical issues do not stop us. There’s lots of trouble-shooting,” Alexander said. “With 38 years of experience, I have lots of tricks I’ve tried.”
Rehearsals get underway June 6 for beginners, who meet Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Canvas Church. The experienced group starts rehearsals June 9, from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m.
Alexander said students need to have their own instruments, which can be rented per month, along with a music stand. Anyone with questions or who would like to join can call Alexander at 406-260-8539.
Because really, even if learning an instrument includes embarrassing moments, in this band, you won’t be alone. It’s a very social group (with snacks at each rehearsal), ready to make music together.
“Unless you stretch yourself, you won’t grow,” Motley said. “Do it for yourself.”