On Saturday mornings at The Marketplace Mall in Henrietta, generations come together to play trumpets, sing songs, and strum guitars. At first glance, this may seem like nothing new—community bands like this are common in the Rochester area. However, listen a little closer and you may hear “The Marines’ Hymn” or “Anchors Aweigh” played with a certain extra vigor. What makes this scene special is the unique bond they share as veterans, coming together from all levels of experience and walks of life to form the inaugural class of students at ROCVETs.

ROCVETs is the new Rochester-based branch of the Music for Veterans National Association, an initiative founded by Roy Ernst, professor emeritus of music education at Eastman. Ernst was also the founding director of the New Horizons Music Project, a pioneering program for retired adults to make music at any level. Thousands of people have worked with these specialized bands and orchestras across the globe since the program’s beginnings with the New Horizons Band at Eastman in 1991. Now, Ernst has shifted his focus towards a more specific demographic.

“The mission of these music programs is to create a feeling of belonging among veterans. For veterans who may have PTSD, there are new friendships replacing a feeling of loneliness, there is a sense of accomplishment in the present and goals in the future,” says Ernst. “ROCVETs is the third music program for veterans through the Music for Veterans National Association. The first is at the University of Texas at San Antonio where Tracy Cowden ’95E (MM) ’00E (DMA), the chair of the music department, wrote to me to ask about the possibility of a band for veterans. That band now has a membership of about 80 and recently received a grant of $100,000 from an individual. The second band is at The University of South Carolina, a very good band of about 50 that plays for many community events.”

ROCVETs offers five settings for former military members and their immediate family to start or continue their musical journeys—two bands (one for beginners and one for those with experience on wind, brass, and percussion instruments), two group guitar classes, and a chorus. Participants can enroll in as few or as many of these offerings as they would like, and receive instruments, instruction, and materials like method books, all at no cost thanks to sponsorship by the Music for Veterans National Association; Rochester philanthropists Andy Nahas and William Rose; and the Wilmorite Corporation, which donates the space at The Marketplace Mall for classes to take place.

The teaching faculty at ROCVETs includes four Eastman connections. In addition to Ernst, Marcia Bornhurst Parkes ’78E (MM), ’88E (PhD) teaches the beginning band, Associate Professor of Music Teaching and Learning Alden Snell ’06E (MM), ’13E (PhD) teaches the advanced band, and doctoral student Pedro Tiorba teaches the group guitar classes.

CREATING BELONGING AMONG VETERANS: ROCVETs instructors with founder Roy Ernst. From left to right: Lukas Wilson, Pedro Tiorba, Marcia Bornhurst Parkes, Roy Ernst, and Alden Snell.

Snell says, “When Professor Ernst invited me to do this, I immediately realized this was a great opportunity to ‘practice what I preach.’ Since I teach a methods course on how to teach instrumental music ensembles, I have been doing all the things I ask my students to do!”

“My goal every Saturday morning is for the members of the band to have a positive musical experience,” Snell continues. “The music is just hard enough to challenge the players who have a lot of experience, but not so hard that the players with less experience can’t still play or follow along. I’ve been intentional in selecting patriotic music (including all the armed forces service songs) as well as medleys of well-known music including the Beatles, Disney movie themes, and a current favorite, the main theme from Indiana Jones! Also, because our goal is having fun more than preparing for a performance, we’re able to maintain our sense of humor, good-naturedly kidding each other when any of us makes a mistake—including me!”

While ROCVETs is focused on the experience of forming a bond in their Saturday rehearsals, there are still opportunities in the works for them to go out into the community and share their hard work. Dates for performances during the winter season will be announced in the coming weeks.

ROCVETs has been off to an exceptionally strong start. Seventy-three students have already been enrolled in the fall 2025 semester and a waitlist is growing for the winter. Ernst has high hopes to grow enrollment even further.

“I hope ROCVETs will continue to grow and offer new classes, such as piano keyboard,” he says. “On the national level, the Music for Veterans National Association is seeking funding to start programs in other locations. I hope to one day see veterans from all the groups come together for national events, such as marching in the presidential inauguration parade and Rose Bowl Parade.”

To learn more about this program, visit ROCVETs for information on course scheduling, registration, and donations.