Our History
Maplewood Community Music (MCM), a community group based in Maplewood, NJ,
was founded in 2003 by Jim Buchanan and Susan Dillon.
Susan Dillon had played in the Rutgers Band during a wonderful time in that
band's history. After a number of years without playing, she approached
Jim Buchanan, who at that time was the Cultural Affairs Supervisor for Maplewood
and had been in Music Education/conducting for 34+ years. Jim suggested starting
rehearsals for a concert band and a jazz/swing band for which he was the musical
director. Soon after, the bands performed to Maplewood area audiences in
DeHart Park, the Maplewood Women's Club, Maplecrest Park, and Memorial Park.
Since then, two more ensembles formed, Bones Unlimited (trombone ensemble)
and Jackson Square (Dixieland band). As the group became larger, its mission
grew, too. The dedicated group of volunteer musicians and conductors who bring
music to Maplewood and the surrounded areas for the heart of Maplewood
Community Music and works towards a primary goal of bringing music to the
Maplewood and South Orange, NJ and the surrounding communities.
Our Mission
As MCM grew beyond its ensembles, several objectives drove the group. Its current mission includes several points:
- to bring various types of music to Maplewood and the surrounding areas,
- to provide local student and adult musicians with the opportunity to join a community ensemble and continue their love of playing and performing,
- to perform youth outreach that supports the young student musicians of our area,
- to partner with other Maplewood organizations to bring music-related events to Maplewood, and
- to provide resources including piano lesson teachers and musicians for hire.
Each of these points is described briefly below.
Our Staff
The Maplewood Community Music staff is a dedicated group of volunteers that ensure the organization runs smoothly, has resources, and allow student and adult musicians to continue to enjoy and perform music.
| Cofounder and Musical Director Emeritus | Jim Buchanan |
| Cofounder, Maplewood Community Music Manager, Manager for All Ensembles | Susan Dillon, |
| Community Concert Band Musical Director | Tom McGee |
| Swing Town Musical Director, | Ben Williams |
| Treasurer | Open |
| Librarian | Leah Van Doornik |
| Stage Manager | Open |
| Webmaster | Kerrie Hurford |
Our Ensembles
The four ensembles, made up of volunteer musicians, perform throughout the year in Maplewood and its surrounding communities. The ensembles perform a wide variety of music including classical, modern, swing, jazz, Dixieland, and more from all around the world. Performances are always free and provide enjoyment for the entire family.
Our Community Concert Band always welcomes new members. While players must have experience, we welcome amateur and out-of-practice musicians as well as college and high school student musicians. Please check Open Positions for our current openings.
Youth Outreach
MCM, in an effort to support our younger musicians, shares donations it receives with local community music programs and provides camps for young student musicians.
Our Partnerships
Maplewood Community Music partners with other local area organizations to provide other music events in Maplewood including the Maplewood Memorial Library and the Piano Teacher Consortium.
Resources for Musicians
MCM also provides various resources to Maplewood area musicians such as Private Lesson Teachers, Musicians for Hire, and Used Instruments for Sale.
Our Sponsors
Maplewood Community Music is run under the auspices of the
Maplewood Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs 
—
Keith Knudsen, Director.
