BUTLER TWP — When Allen and Mary Kitchen held their first meeting of the New Horizons Butler chapter, they were surprised at how many older adults wanted to learn to play a stringed instrument.

“On our first day, we thought maybe three people would come,” Mary said. “Nineteen people came.”

Mary Kitchen explained that New Horizons International Music Association chapters offer free instrumental music lessons to those age 50 and older.

Kitchen, who retired in 2021 as pastor at East Butler and North Butler Presbyterian churches, said she learned about New Horizons when she enrolled in music classes at Slippery Rock University after retirement.

“I said to my husband, ‘We can do this,’” Kitchen said.

Mary Kitchen played guitar as a young woman, but did not keep up with the instrument as she aged. Her husband plays piano.

“I started playing violin in my 50s,” Kitchen said. “That’s when I learned how much fun it could be to learn to play an instrument (as an older adult.)”

The Butler chapter of New Horizons offers group lessons in stringed instruments such as guitar, mandolin, violin, viola and cello.

The lessons are taught by the Kitchens and Jim McQuiston, who led the band in rehearsing Christmas songs at their meeting Thursday, Dec. 21.

Kitchen said musicians who play woodwinds, brass or other instruments are welcome to serve as volunteer instructors with the chapter, which meets from 2 to 4 p.m. weekly at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Staley Avenue.

“If we had more volunteers, they could just meet with students during that time,” she said.

Kitchen said some students last played an instrument during their school days. Others have never touched a musical instrument but always dreamed of playing music.

She said students can borrow instruments the Kitchens have accumulated over the years, and most buy their own instrument once they determine they will keep at it.

Kitchen said donations of stringed instruments are gratefully accepted for use by New Horizons students.

On Thursday, the 20 new musicians in the Butler New Horizons Folk and Gospel Band — which is comprised of chapter members — rehearsed familiar Christmas songs for a gig Sunday, where they will provide worship music for the entire 10:45 a.m. service Sunday, Dec. 31, at Faith United Presbyterian Church in Center Township.

Of the group, 17 play stringed instruments, and three play a percussion instrument.

Tom Pascazi, of Butler, plays a cajon, or wooden box that produces the sound of various drums when tapped in different areas.

“It’s a drum kit in a box,” he said. “This way, you don’t have to carry a drum kit around.”

Pascazi bought the cajon to play in the New Horizons band after seeing the instrument online.

“I thought it was cool,” he said. “I wanted to learn how to play.”

Pascazi had decided that he wanted to learn to play an instrument when he retired in 2020.

The New Horizons group, in addition to accomplishing that goal, gives him a sense of belonging as well as something constructive to do with his time, he said.

He also sang the praises of the Kitchens.

“They’re real people,” Pascazi said. “You can depend on them, and they’re friendly and outgoing.”

Ila Lombardo, of West Sunbury, saw an article in the Butler Eagle regarding a new group that would teach those age 50 and older to play an instrument.

She was recently widowed and missing her late husband, Mark Haid, who played guitar in garage bands in Pittsburgh.

“God put it on my heart to get my husband’s guitar out and keep it alive,” she said.

Lombardo continues to play the Yamaha acoustic guitar as a member of the New Horizons band and wears a special guitar around her neck containing some of her husband’s ashes.

“I hope he’s smiling down,” she said of playing the Yamaha.

Lombardo said she has found not only new friendships, but renewed happiness from playing in the New Horizons band.

“Loneliness is pushed out with the joy of practicing music,” she said.

During a break in rehearsals Thursday night, Lombardo invited group members without a significant other to her home for Christmas.

“We are all supportive of one another,” she said. “It’s been a blessing and it’s been therapy for me.”

Michelle Ellenberger, of Oakland Township, joined New Horizons to pursue her dream of playing the violin.

“I wanted to play a stringed instrument my entire life and never had the opportunity,” she said. “When I saw the New Horizons group, I jumped on it.”

Ellenberger didn’t even know how to hold the instrument, but was patiently taught the ins and outs of the violin by Kitchen.

“Mary and Allen made it so welcoming for us and put us at ease,” she said.

Ellenberger admitted the violin is a relatively hard instrument to learn, but she was helped by the fact that she played piano as a child and knows how to read music.

“I love the sound of the violin, and that’s why I wanted to learn to play,” she said.

Ellenberger also saw the article in the Eagle about the fledgling group and its mission to teach stringed instruments to older adults.

“I thought ‘This is my chance,’” Ellenberger said. “I’m so glad I had the courage to do it.”

She practices for about 30 minutes per day and augments her lessons by picking up techniques and tips from YouTube videos as well.

She also searches for tracks on YouTube.

“I find a song I like and I play along with it,” Ellenberger said.

She said the Butler New Horizons Folk and Gospel Band has played at two other local church services, last Christmas and on Easter.

“I’ve met a lot of wonderful, kind people who make me feel very comfortable,” Ellenberger said. “I didn’t feel nervous about playing in front of them at all.”

Kitchen said new members and the donation of stringed instruments are being accepted by calling 412-266-0930.

“I just hope music will bring the students joy,” Kitchen said. “I hope they will have a sense of accomplishment and I hope it will fulfill their dreams.”

More information on New Horizons International Music Association is available at newhorizonsmusic.org.