Music Forever, a NHIMA Podcast

Jennifer and Ralph Williams

Jennifer has been making music and teaching piano for more than 45 years, inspiring everyone from beginners to seasoned band players. She leads The Shire Concert Band, Shire New Horizons Bands, and Sydney Southeast Symphonic Winds — and has also created school music programs, concerts, and camps along the way. Recognised with the Cook Community Award and trained at Trinity College London, she’s passionate about sharing the joy of music with her community. When she’s not waving a baton or sitting at the piano, you’ll likely find her travelling, cooking up something delicious, or playing games with friends and family. Ralph is a proud member of the New Horizons Band in Sydney, Australia. While music has always been a big part of his family’s life — with his wife Jennifer and their children being lifelong musicians — his own musical journey began later in life, at the age of 61. For most of his working years, he was involved in sport and focused on raising their children. Music was something he loved deeply, listening to everything from 60s middle-of-the-road classics to jazz, classical, and musicals. But he never imagined himself as a player — until retirement gave him the time and opportunity to explore that side of life. With Jennifer’s wonderful encouragement, he joined the New Horizons Band beginner group and took up the bass clarinet. Just six months later, he progressed to the intermediate band, and within a year, he was performing with the concert band. You could say he enjoys a challenge! Within two years, he began playing with The Shire Band — a sister group to New Horizons — aimed at secondary school students working at a Grade 3 to 5 level. It’s been a joy to be part of such a talented and enthusiastic group.

Shelley Hazen

Shelley Hazen is the new Administrative Assistant for NHIMA since May 2025. She was raised in a musical home, where her father played jazz piano and her mother supported all of her musical interests — including making costumes for performances. Music was a constant presence in her life, with frequent jam sessions and a household filled with music at all hours. She began playing the flute in high school and has remained connected to music ever since. That passion carried into her family life as well, where she encouraged and supported her two sons, both of whom became skilled piano players. Shelley is an active member of the New Horizons Band at the Don Wright Faculty of Music in London, Ontario. She began in the Intermediate Band playing flute, and has progressed to the Advanced Band. Recently, she started learning the alto saxophone and currently plays it in the Intermediate Band as well. The saxophone has become a new and exciting part of her musical journey. Shelley also brings a strong background in administration and organization, with experience that includes working at an arts-based school. In her spare time Shelley also teaches yoga, golfs and plays pickleball. I would like to thank Shelley Hazen for doing this interview. If you would like to find out more about Shelley’s New Horizons Band, please go to https://music.uwo.ca/outreach/new-horizons-band.html [https://music.uwo.ca/outreach/new-horizons-band.html]

Mary Kitchen

Mary Kitchen and her husband Allen are founders and directors of the Butler New Horizons Folk and Gospel Band in Butler, Pennsylvania. Mary has played guitar since her teen years, but missed her chance to learn violin in school when her family relocated. In her 50s she decided it was never too late, and started violin lessons at her local music store. She loved playing, and soon learned that what she enjoyed most was bluegrass fiddling. Now she takes part in many jams, both locally and at Chautauqua Institution, where she and her husband spend time during the summer. Mary and Allen started a New Horizons group in Butler because they wanted to share the joy of music with other adults. Mary grew up in Pittsburgh, and attended Duquesne University and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She has served several congregations as a Presbyterian minister since 1980, and is now semi-retired, pastoring two small churches in the Butler area. She includes music in virtually every service, often with Allen who plays keyboards. This interview took place in May 2025 via Zoom. If you would like to find out more about Mary’s New Horizons Folk and Gospel Band, please visit their Facebook Page here [https://www.facebook.com/groups/515715490764259/]: https://www.facebook.com/groups/515715490764259/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/515715490764259/]

Mark Enns

Mark Enns graduated from Western University, London, Canada, with a degree in performance on clarinet. He continued his studies with a Master’s degree from the University of British Columbia and the summer diploma program in Wind Band Literature and Conducting at the University of Calgary. He retired in 2017 from a twenty-nine year career teaching secondary school music in West Lorne and London, Ontario. Mark joined the New Horizons program at Western University in 1999 where he conducts an advanced band, beginning group, and jazz band. He, along with members of the Western NHB program, organized the first New Horizons Band Camp in Canada held at Brock University in 2012 in Ontario. He also helped organize and lead Western NHB members in nine European tours. He currently sits on the board for the London Kiwanis Music Festival and Encore the Concert Band, a group in which he also performs. Mark has conducted in many NHIMA camps and will be co-director for the NHIMA Music Event in Mont Tremblant, QC for the third time in October 2025. If you would like to find out more about Mark's New Horizons Band, please, click here: https://music.uwo.ca/outreach/new-horizons-band.html [https://music.uwo.ca/outreach/new-horizons-band.html]

DEBBI GIBSON

Debbi Gibson began her involvement with the NHIMA in 2016 when she became the conductor of the New Hampshire New Horizons Band of the Lakes Region. She was a former music educator of public school and collegiate levels for over 40 years. New Horizons was a perfect fit!! Debbi was still able to teach and make music!!! The “age” of the student was just a little different. Debbi earned her Bachelor of Music Education (BME) from Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music, with a Certificate in Performance and her Masters of Music Education (MME) from James Madison University. Currently Debbi conducts several groups alongside of the New Horizons Band; the Carter Mountain Brass Band of New Hampshire and the Taylor Community Chorus of the Retirement Community in Laconia, NH. An avid free lance musician, she continues clarinet and other woodwind instruments in ensembles in New Hampshire, such as the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra, the Newmount Military Band, the Center Harbor Town Band and the Gilford Community Band as well as playing in several pit orchestras. Throughout Debbi’s musical career, she has received many accolades. Those include; 2002 National “50 Directors Who Made a Difference”, 2005 New Hampshire Music Education Association (NHMEA) Distinguished Music Educator of the Year, 2011 New Hampshire Band Director Association (NHBDA) Outstanding Band Director Award. She has been a guest conductor at several middle and high school festivals as well as the guest conductor at the Adult New England Music Camp at Snow Pond. Debbi believes that “Music is Medicine”, and enjoys helping people share in the joyful and healing experience that music can provide both through conducting and performing on her clarinet. She lives in Sanbornton, New Hampshire with her Great Dane, Ziva and is surrounded by her children, 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. This interview was done in May 2025 via Zoom. If you would like to find out more about Debbi’s New Horizons Band please, go to https://newhorizons-lakesregion.org [https://newhorizons-lakesregion.org]