History of the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

One of the most beloved Christmas songs "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" sings joyously of the family gatherings that occurs throughout the holiday season.  It's also the theme of our 2013 Holiday Concert.

Written in 1963 by Edward Pola and George Wyle, this Christmas classic has been celebrated by families for the past 50 years.  The song was originally performed by Andy Williams during the 1963 Christmas season and was selected for the "Christmas Seals" charity event in 1968 and 1976.

Many version of "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" have been released over the years by singers such as: Harry Connick Jr., Chicago, Amy Grant, and many others.  Parodies of the song have been used in advertisements, such as for Nissan Motors and Staples.

The Waterford New Horizons Concert Band will perform "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" to introduce our holiday concert, which will take place Sunday, December 15 at 3 pm.  Our concert will be located at Waterford Mott High School at the corner of Scott Lake Road and Pontiac Lake Road.  While the concert is free to the public, we encourage donations as they allow us to continue to provide great music for the community.  Hope to see you there!

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Attention all Adult Musicians!

Do you play a musical instrument or would you like to learn how to play a musical instrument in a non-competitive environment?  Than the New Horizons band program might be for you.  Founded with the purpose of bringing together adult musicians from all backgrounds and all stages of life, the New Horizons band programs are offered throughout the United States.  If you live in the Oakland County Michigan area and you are an adult musician or would like to become part of something great, consider joining the Waterford New Horizons Concert Band or look into other community bands in the area.  We are a great group of people who share a passion for music that transcends any other differences we might have.  Young or old.  Brand new musicians or seasoned veterans.  We all love music.  As a former band director of mine once said: "I hope you hang onto (music) for a long time because it is something special."  And it truly is!

My Member Story

When I was ten years old in elementary school, I knew that I wanted to play a musical instrument, but I did not know which one I wanted to play.  I really wanted to play the French Horn like my best friend, but my parents talked me out of it.  They felt that I would not be careful enough with an expensive instrument.  They convinced me to take my mom's old clarinet to band, so it began.  I learned how to play the clarinet under the instruction of Terry Odelli, who is one of the band directors of the Waterford New Horizons Concert Band.  After playing all through high school, I stopped playing music after I graduated from high school.  Nine months later, I received an invitation to play with the Waterford School District Alumni Band.  Accepting the invitation, I played with the group, and watched the Waterford New Horizons Concert Band play the concert opener with interest.  I really wanted to play again, so I contacted my former director Terry Odelli, and started playing with the band.  It was 2007 then, and I was 19.  I have been proud member for five years and counting.

Upcoming Band Concert

"I wanted to take a moment in this blog post to discuss the next Waterford New Horizons Band Concert, upcoming in May.  In this concert we will play many Broadway music selections from "Gypsy", The Lion King," and many others.  Further information will be available at a later time.  We hope that you will join us for another great musical experience!

Band Concert: Part Three

One moment that really stood out to me at last weekend's concert took place early in the concert.  The second song in the program, "On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss," was outstanding.  This song was selected by director Terry Odelli to play in memory of late band member John Johns, a trombone player, who passed away in December of last year.  I feel that the description for the song given during the concert prior to our performance by Terry really set the mood for the song once we started playing.  While playing it, I felt a sense of passion that is the reason why I love performing music.  It was a really emotional experience for me, as a player, and really was a worthy tribute for John.

Band Concert: Part Two

I wanted to take a moment to highlight a very special moment at last weekend's concert.  Director Gerry Spry was in attendance.  In January, Gerry underwent a major surgery and is currently recuperating.  We are very happy to have had Gerry out of the house at the concert.  It has been a long road to recovery but we hope he will be back soon.

Band Concert: Part One

The Waterford Musical Madness Concert took place on Sunday, March 18th 2012.  We feel that it went really well.  There was a fairly good turnout, considering that it was a big game day and felt like summer outside.  Out of all the music that we performed, we felt that that the "Dixieland Jamboree," (arranged by Warrington) was the best piece, with the jazzy  version of "When the Saints come Marching In."  The North Oakland Dixieland Band was outstanding in that piece and the others they performed.  Thank you to everyone in the audience who attended, we all had a blast.