Catawba Valley New Horizons Band
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
Rediscovering a long-lost interest
By Mary Canrobert
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014
As this month of love closes, a final Valentine story about a
man who put aside his affection for playing the French horn when his
heart wanted only one thing: the hand of a pretty girl.
Decades later, his lovely lady is gone, but his interest in
playing in a band has returned, having patiently waited in the wings for
more than a half-century. The urge to renew his acquaintance with his
brass friend offers the man a new challenge and a means to help fill the
void in his life.
After 62 years of marriage, Wade “Hamp” Shuford of Hickory lost his beloved Joanne White Shuford in May. In the fall, with the help of Western Piedmont Symphony Conductor John Gordon Ross, who allowed Shuford to borrow a WPS French horn, Shuford began playing with the Catawba Valley New Horizons Band.
Shuford hadn’t played since his days as a student at Catawba College. The reason? He sold his French horn in 1951 to buy Joanne an engagement ring.
Shuford said he and Joanne met at Hickory High School, but they didn’t date until Shuford was at Catawba College, majoring in Spanish and French and Joanne was at Salem College studying home economics. “I invited her to a dance at Catawba College while she was at Salem,” said Shuford. “She reciprocated.” Shuford said he and Joanne “started dating seriously” when Shuford was working on a master’s degree at UNC Chapel Hill. Love bloomed, and Shuford was ready to pop the question. He didn’t have the cash for a ring, but he did have a valuable French horn. “At the time, it was not hard to part with the horn,” Shuford recalled.
The couple wed in 1951, followed by Shuford’s enlistment in the Air Force. The Korean War was in full swing, but Shuford remained stateside, “doing psychological testing of pilots,” he said. Shuford left the Air Force four years later and attended Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Texas. “I didn’t want to preach,” said Shuford, who trained to be a director of Christian education.
The couple eventually settled in Hickory.
“My real career was Christian education,” said Shuford. “Church camping, Sunday school teaching, and so forth.” Even while giving the business world a try, Shuford was working as recreation director at a United Church of Christ camp, John’s River Valley in Collettsville, in Caldwell County. “Altogether (in my career), I worked at four camps,” said Shuford.
When Shuford talked about his mother, Nora Allgood Shuford, it was clear from whom he’d inherited his passions. Nora was a graduate of Flora MacDonald College (now defunct) in Red Springs, N.C., where she studied music and French. She later became a piano teacher. “She was 18 years younger than Dad,” said Shuford, who was an only child. “She was 38. He was 56. I was lucky to get here.” Nora insisted that Shuford study piano and voice, and she bought him a mellophone. “It’s a starter for a French horn,” Shuford explained.
Also influencing Shuford’s future interests were the friendships he developed with older neighbors. As a teen, Shuford visited an elderly woman who, it turned out, maintained a still in her basement. “She gave me a taste more than once,” Shuford admitted. The clandestine activity ended when the distillery exploded and the woman’s house burned down.
Since 1983, Shuford has been an Adult Life Programs volunteer. In Hickory and Conover, Shuford serves seniors who participate in the adult day care. “One of my missions is to help older folks adjust to the vicissitudes of life’s changing values and that dirty word, ‘technology,’ ” Shuford said.
Now, after a long separation from band membership, Shuford is becoming reacquainted with the French horn. “I had to relearn the fingering,” he said. Depending on his progress, Shuford may decide to buy a horn. In the meantime, he’ll keep practicing on his WPS loaner.
The Catawba Valley New Horizons Band “is a great group for folks over 55,” said Shuford, who’s 85. “You don’t have to know how to play an instrument. They will teach you.”
Thanks to New Horizons Band, Shuford’s enjoying something few people experience: a return to one of the joys of youth.
After 62 years of marriage, Wade “Hamp” Shuford of Hickory lost his beloved Joanne White Shuford in May. In the fall, with the help of Western Piedmont Symphony Conductor John Gordon Ross, who allowed Shuford to borrow a WPS French horn, Shuford began playing with the Catawba Valley New Horizons Band.
Shuford hadn’t played since his days as a student at Catawba College. The reason? He sold his French horn in 1951 to buy Joanne an engagement ring.
Shuford said he and Joanne met at Hickory High School, but they didn’t date until Shuford was at Catawba College, majoring in Spanish and French and Joanne was at Salem College studying home economics. “I invited her to a dance at Catawba College while she was at Salem,” said Shuford. “She reciprocated.” Shuford said he and Joanne “started dating seriously” when Shuford was working on a master’s degree at UNC Chapel Hill. Love bloomed, and Shuford was ready to pop the question. He didn’t have the cash for a ring, but he did have a valuable French horn. “At the time, it was not hard to part with the horn,” Shuford recalled.
The couple wed in 1951, followed by Shuford’s enlistment in the Air Force. The Korean War was in full swing, but Shuford remained stateside, “doing psychological testing of pilots,” he said. Shuford left the Air Force four years later and attended Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Texas. “I didn’t want to preach,” said Shuford, who trained to be a director of Christian education.
The couple eventually settled in Hickory.
“My real career was Christian education,” said Shuford. “Church camping, Sunday school teaching, and so forth.” Even while giving the business world a try, Shuford was working as recreation director at a United Church of Christ camp, John’s River Valley in Collettsville, in Caldwell County. “Altogether (in my career), I worked at four camps,” said Shuford.
When Shuford talked about his mother, Nora Allgood Shuford, it was clear from whom he’d inherited his passions. Nora was a graduate of Flora MacDonald College (now defunct) in Red Springs, N.C., where she studied music and French. She later became a piano teacher. “She was 18 years younger than Dad,” said Shuford, who was an only child. “She was 38. He was 56. I was lucky to get here.” Nora insisted that Shuford study piano and voice, and she bought him a mellophone. “It’s a starter for a French horn,” Shuford explained.
Also influencing Shuford’s future interests were the friendships he developed with older neighbors. As a teen, Shuford visited an elderly woman who, it turned out, maintained a still in her basement. “She gave me a taste more than once,” Shuford admitted. The clandestine activity ended when the distillery exploded and the woman’s house burned down.
Since 1983, Shuford has been an Adult Life Programs volunteer. In Hickory and Conover, Shuford serves seniors who participate in the adult day care. “One of my missions is to help older folks adjust to the vicissitudes of life’s changing values and that dirty word, ‘technology,’ ” Shuford said.
Now, after a long separation from band membership, Shuford is becoming reacquainted with the French horn. “I had to relearn the fingering,” he said. Depending on his progress, Shuford may decide to buy a horn. In the meantime, he’ll keep practicing on his WPS loaner.
The Catawba Valley New Horizons Band “is a great group for folks over 55,” said Shuford, who’s 85. “You don’t have to know how to play an instrument. They will teach you.”
Thanks to New Horizons Band, Shuford’s enjoying something few people experience: a return to one of the joys of youth.
Mary Canrobert is a freelance writer. Have a story idea for Mary? Email her at marycanrobert@charter.net.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/02/22/4705450/rediscovering-a-long-lost-interest.html#.Uydljs4ozFw
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Have you ever wanted to learn how to play an instrument?
Did you use to play in your high school and/or college band but haven't played in years? 30? 40? 50?
WELCOME TO THE CATAWBA VALLEY NEW HORIZONS BAND!
A couple of decades ago, founder Roy Ernst started New Horizons Music. What started off as a small group has now reached around the world! There are so many chapters that there HAS to be one near YOU! Find your local chapter (if you are not near us) at http://www.newhorizonsmusic.org/
For the question/answer page, follow this link: http://www.newhorizonsmusic.org/faqs/faqs.html
BEGINNINGS
Our band was started in 2009 by our director Leonard "Len" Allman, through the ASU Higher Education program "Prime Life Ed-Ventures." The programs (outings, workshops, etc) were geared toward those 50 (who retired early or weren't working for whatever reason) and older in order to stay active and to have a social network. HOWEVER! Whatever your age, if you have Wednesday mornings free and want to play in the band, we don't card!
While Prime Life Ed-Ventures is no more, we are pleased to have recently partnered with The Service League of Hickory! (http://www.serviceleaguehickory.org/)
ABOUT US
Our band began with just 7 members (4 still active with us!) with varying degrees of music knowledge. Today we have 26 active members and we all still have varying degrees of music knowledge. Some have had to learn to read music. Some could read music but were/are learning a new instrument. There is room in our band for everyone. Even those with ZERO musical experience.
A couple (3?) years ago, Len started an orchestra as there were those who were interested in playing a string instrument. The same creed applies to the orchestra. No experience necessary and Your Best Is Good Enough.
BAND: The band rehearses at the Arts & Science building of the SALT Block in Hickory (243 Third Avenue NE Hickory NC, 28601) at 9am on Wednesdays. We rehearse from 9-11:30 with a 30 minute coffee break beginning at 10am. Coffee is provided along with homemade (and store bought!) goodies from members. This is where we visit and get to know one another.
ORCHESTRA: The orchestra rehearses at the same place, same day, but from 1pm - 3:30pm
If you are interested in joining our group, please stop by any Wednesday morning. The entrance is in the back (facing the library) and is the door at the small loading dock (there are two other entrances in the back which are handicap accessible). Everyone will welcome you and be glad to answer any questions you may have. You may come in at 9am to listen and then visit with us during break staying as long as you like, or if you'd rather, wait and come in at 10am for coffee/visiting and then stay to hear us practice.
If you would like more information before visiting us, contact Len Allman at 828-322-8778. If no answer, please leave a message.
Looking forward to seeing you in the band (or orchestra)!
Cynthia
CVNHB&O
Did you use to play in your high school and/or college band but haven't played in years? 30? 40? 50?
WELCOME TO THE CATAWBA VALLEY NEW HORIZONS BAND!
A couple of decades ago, founder Roy Ernst started New Horizons Music. What started off as a small group has now reached around the world! There are so many chapters that there HAS to be one near YOU! Find your local chapter (if you are not near us) at http://www.newhorizonsmusic.org/
For the question/answer page, follow this link: http://www.newhorizonsmusic.org/faqs/faqs.html
ABOUT OUR LOCAL CHAPTER - Hickory, NC
BEGINNINGS
Our band was started in 2009 by our director Leonard "Len" Allman, through the ASU Higher Education program "Prime Life Ed-Ventures." The programs (outings, workshops, etc) were geared toward those 50 (who retired early or weren't working for whatever reason) and older in order to stay active and to have a social network. HOWEVER! Whatever your age, if you have Wednesday mornings free and want to play in the band, we don't card!
While Prime Life Ed-Ventures is no more, we are pleased to have recently partnered with The Service League of Hickory! (http://www.serviceleaguehickory.org/)
ABOUT US
Our band began with just 7 members (4 still active with us!) with varying degrees of music knowledge. Today we have 26 active members and we all still have varying degrees of music knowledge. Some have had to learn to read music. Some could read music but were/are learning a new instrument. There is room in our band for everyone. Even those with ZERO musical experience.
OUR MOTTO: "Your Best Is Good Enough!"
A couple (3?) years ago, Len started an orchestra as there were those who were interested in playing a string instrument. The same creed applies to the orchestra. No experience necessary and Your Best Is Good Enough.
REHEARSALS/PERFORMANCES
BAND: The band rehearses at the Arts & Science building of the SALT Block in Hickory (243 Third Avenue NE Hickory NC, 28601) at 9am on Wednesdays. We rehearse from 9-11:30 with a 30 minute coffee break beginning at 10am. Coffee is provided along with homemade (and store bought!) goodies from members. This is where we visit and get to know one another.
ORCHESTRA: The orchestra rehearses at the same place, same day, but from 1pm - 3:30pm
If you are interested in joining our group, please stop by any Wednesday morning. The entrance is in the back (facing the library) and is the door at the small loading dock (there are two other entrances in the back which are handicap accessible). Everyone will welcome you and be glad to answer any questions you may have. You may come in at 9am to listen and then visit with us during break staying as long as you like, or if you'd rather, wait and come in at 10am for coffee/visiting and then stay to hear us practice.
If you would like more information before visiting us, contact Len Allman at 828-322-8778. If no answer, please leave a message.
Looking forward to seeing you in the band (or orchestra)!
Cynthia
CVNHB&O
New Season Begins!
Greetings and Salutations!
Everyone reading this should "get" that greeting.
Welcome to the Catawba Valley New Horizons Band Blog. It has been awhile since I last updated as I have been using our Facebook page. However, most of our members do not have Facebook and so I am going to work more diligently on keeping the "web" page updated.
I'm going to gear this post toward current members. I will post again, shortly, a more information type post for those not in the band and who might be interested in joining us.
As you know, last Wednesday, January 22, was our Information Session for the Spring Quarter. Press releases were issued and all of you worked on inviting friends to come in and listen, have coffee/snacks, try instruments, ask questions, etc. However, with the biting, frigid temperatures, only one prospective member made it to the session. :-D Thank you, Benny, for braving the cold. We were all glad to meet you and hope you will join us!
As most of us were there, all dressed up in our new green CVNHB shirts (with most of us adding layers underneath!), it was decided to take a picture. Thank you Dick & Regina for having the forethought to bring your camera. We not only got a great picture (the picture you see as the cover on this blog) but our visitor, Benny, took the picture. We will definitely try again so that those of you who were MIA this week can be in the picture - along with our newest member. Chances are slim that we will ever have a picture with everyone but we'll keep trying.
Our Spring Quarter officially begins this Wednesday, January 29. Same Bat Time, Same Bat Place.
(Did you know, not counting our unofficial summer practices, this will be our TENTH quarter/session!? Thank you Len for your patience and putting up with our shenanigans!)
Cynthia
CVNHB
Everyone reading this should "get" that greeting.
Welcome to the Catawba Valley New Horizons Band Blog. It has been awhile since I last updated as I have been using our Facebook page. However, most of our members do not have Facebook and so I am going to work more diligently on keeping the "web" page updated.
I'm going to gear this post toward current members. I will post again, shortly, a more information type post for those not in the band and who might be interested in joining us.
As you know, last Wednesday, January 22, was our Information Session for the Spring Quarter. Press releases were issued and all of you worked on inviting friends to come in and listen, have coffee/snacks, try instruments, ask questions, etc. However, with the biting, frigid temperatures, only one prospective member made it to the session. :-D Thank you, Benny, for braving the cold. We were all glad to meet you and hope you will join us!
As most of us were there, all dressed up in our new green CVNHB shirts (with most of us adding layers underneath!), it was decided to take a picture. Thank you Dick & Regina for having the forethought to bring your camera. We not only got a great picture (the picture you see as the cover on this blog) but our visitor, Benny, took the picture. We will definitely try again so that those of you who were MIA this week can be in the picture - along with our newest member. Chances are slim that we will ever have a picture with everyone but we'll keep trying.
Our Spring Quarter officially begins this Wednesday, January 29. Same Bat Time, Same Bat Place.
(Did you know, not counting our unofficial summer practices, this will be our TENTH quarter/session!? Thank you Len for your patience and putting up with our shenanigans!)
Cynthia
CVNHB
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Season Ending
Sadly, we have come to the end of our Winter/Spring season. It's been a lot of hard work, yet a lot of fun.
To wind up our last two weeks of the season, we will be performing. What a way to end! :-)
Wednesday, April 25, 10:30am - East Hickory Seniors Morning Out at Highland Methodist Church, Hickory
Wednesday, May 2, 10:30am - Hickory Manor Assisted Living, Sandy Ridge Road, Hickory
During the summer, those interested will be meeting on Wednesday mornings, 9am, at the SALT Block. There is no fee, and no dedicated conductor/director. Very informal time but most of the members do not want to take a 3 month break - so we don't! There are no performances during this time but we will back and ready to play for you after Labor Day.
If you have a Senior Adult ministry, please contact us. We would love to play for YOU!
To wind up our last two weeks of the season, we will be performing. What a way to end! :-)
Wednesday, April 25, 10:30am - East Hickory Seniors Morning Out at Highland Methodist Church, Hickory
Wednesday, May 2, 10:30am - Hickory Manor Assisted Living, Sandy Ridge Road, Hickory
During the summer, those interested will be meeting on Wednesday mornings, 9am, at the SALT Block. There is no fee, and no dedicated conductor/director. Very informal time but most of the members do not want to take a 3 month break - so we don't! There are no performances during this time but we will back and ready to play for you after Labor Day.
If you have a Senior Adult ministry, please contact us. We would love to play for YOU!
Friday, March 23, 2012
New Season
Well I have certainly fallen behind here. Our new season is not only underway, we are halfway through!
First and foremost, WELCOME to our newest members:
Scott Rhodes - Clarinet
Karen Shaw - Clarinet
David Pooley - Tuba
Charlie Self - Trombone
Norman Warlick - Percussion
We have had the opportunity to play a couple of places this semester and we have performances "in the works." Here are two of the places where we will be playing. If you are in the area, please stop by for a listen!
Wednesday, March 28 - Carillon Assisted Living, Radio Station Road in Newton. 10:45am
Tuesday, April 17 - St Aloysius Catholic Church, Hickory. Time TBA
First and foremost, WELCOME to our newest members:
Scott Rhodes - Clarinet
Karen Shaw - Clarinet
David Pooley - Tuba
Charlie Self - Trombone
Norman Warlick - Percussion
We have had the opportunity to play a couple of places this semester and we have performances "in the works." Here are two of the places where we will be playing. If you are in the area, please stop by for a listen!
Wednesday, March 28 - Carillon Assisted Living, Radio Station Road in Newton. 10:45am
Tuesday, April 17 - St Aloysius Catholic Church, Hickory. Time TBA
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