How old is too old to learn to play an instrument?

The New Horizons Orchestra gives adults over 40 a chance to learn a string instrument—even if they’ve never played one before.

In this episode of the Y Magazine podcast, host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) talks with director Allison Bennett Taylor (BMu ’12, MMu ’22) and orchestra members about how the orchestra is about more than just music.

This episode is based on the article “Strings of Support,” by Abi Falin Horspool (’24), which will appear in the Winter 2025 issue of Y Magazine.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like another musical episode: “Take a Tour of BYU’s New Music Building,” or our episode “Lifelong Wellness.”

If you’re enjoying this podcast, we’d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. Take the survey.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

How old is too old to learn to play an instrument?
The New Horizons Orchestra gives adults over 40 a chance to learn a string instrument&mdash;even if they&rsquo;ve never played one before.
In this episode of the Y Magazine podcast, host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA &rsquo;01) talks with director Allison Bennett Taylor (BMu &rsquo;12, MMu &rsquo;22) and orchestra members about how the orchestra is about more than just music.
This episode is based on the article &ldquo;Strings of Support,&rdquo; by Abi Falin Horspool (&rsquo;24), which will appear in the Winter 2025 issue of Y Magazine.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like another musical episode: &ldquo;<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/y-magazine-podcast/take-a-tour-of-byu-s-new-music-building" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">Take a Tour of BYU&rsquo;s New Music Building</a>,&rdquo; or our episode &ldquo;<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/y-magazine-podcast/lifelong-wellness" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">Lifelong Wellness</a>.&rdquo;
If you&rsquo;re enjoying this podcast, we&rsquo;d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. <a href="https://byu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaAtJvGe5fXyroq" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">Take the survey</a>.
Subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y-magazine/id1676318942" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/50YytMCSd0wQSF0DJTx1D2?si=GMYodGZDTBe_k-sTdPvPJg" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">Spotify</a>, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@byumagazine" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">YouTube</a>. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Welcome to the Y Magazine podcast, bringing you ideas, stories, and voices from Brigham Young University (BYU). New episodes post biweekly on Thursdays.

Welcome to the Y Magazine podcast, bringing you ideas, stories, and voices from Brigham Young University (BYU). New episodes post biweekly on Thursdays.

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