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 private 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, brings music to the community,
and supports student and adult musicians who continue to enjoy and perform music.
| Board of Trustees & Officers | |
|---|---|
| President, Chair | Kerrie Hurford, |
| Vice President, Co-chair | Stephen Rodner |
| Treasurer | Irv Lustig |
| Secretary | Anne Miller |
| Trustee-at-large | Leah Van Doornik |
| Executive Committee | |
|---|---|
| Community Concert Band Musical Director | Tom McGee |
| Swing Town Musical Director | Ben Williams |
| Musical Director Emeritus | Jim Buchanan, Cofounder |
| Operations Manager | Susan Dillon, Cofounder |
| Finance Chair | Irv Lustig |
| Librarian | Leah Van Doornik |
| 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
In an effort to share our love of music with our community youth and encourage them to appreciate music and even play an instrument, our ensembles are involved in a number of programs targeting our younger residents.
- Our annual Children's Concert,
- Smaller ensembles perform at our schools to provide history and appreciation of a particular genre of music,
- High school and college music students are encouraged to spend some time playing in our Community Concert Band.
- We-e-e love a parade!
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's community programs are made possible with support from the Maplewood Township Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs and donations.
