History & Mission

Maplewood Community Music (MCM), a nonprofit and 501(C)(3) organization based in Maplewood, NJ, was founded in 2003 by Jim Buchanan and Susan Williams. Susan had played in the Rutgers Band and after a number of years without playing, she approached Jim Buchanan about starting a band. At the time, Jim was the Cultural Affairs Supervisor for Maplewood and had over 34 years of experience in music education and conducting. Jim suggested starting rehearsals for a concert band and a jazz band for which he became the musical director. The first rehearsal had only six musicians, but they grew and soon after the bands performed for Maplewood-area audiences in DeHart Park, the Maplewood Women's Club, Maplecrest Park, and Memorial Park. Shortly after, two additional ensembles were 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 continue to work towards MCM's major goals of giving hobbyist musicians the opportunity to play and perform and bringing music to Maplewood, South Orange, and other nearby communities. In addition,  MCM is proud to support community events and community/youth music enrichment programs.

Since its formation in 2003, the organization has grown to well over 60 musicians and has several active ensembles. MCM hosts between 4-6 events each season and our ensembles perform at even more local events each year.

As Maplewood Community Music has grown, so has its mission. Today, guided by a strong commitment to music and community, we…

• Create opportunities for amateur musicians: We offer welcoming ensembles where adults and high school/college students can explore, grow, and enjoy playing music—whether they’ve played continuously or are returning after years away.

• Share music of all kinds with everyone: We present live performances throughout Maplewood and neighboring communities, including outreach concerts for audiences who may not otherwise have access to live music.

• Inspire young people: We support student musicians and introduce children to instruments and live performances, helping spark an early love of music that can last a lifetime.

• Partner with community organizations: We work with local groups to add live music to their community events, enriching more audiences.

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