It was standing room only at the Bauer Center in November for the Metropolitan Orchestra's first concert. In fact, people were turned away.

"We had a feeling it would be popular, but not like that," said Short Hills resident Ed Rummel, who is a member of the orchestra.

So the orchestra set out to find another place to hold its concerts, and it is moving to the Community Congregational Church. The church will be host to the orchestra's concert on Sunday at 4 p.m. The event is free.

Sunday's concert is titled "Mozard and More" and conductor and artistic director Michael Stratechuk will lead the orchestra in a program to include Mozart: Magic Flute Overture, Symphony #40, Bach: Double Violin Concerto in D Minor featuring
soloists Michael Stratechuk and concertmaster Michael Avagliano  and Bizet: Carmen Suite #1.

The orchestra was located at the JCC in West Orange for many years before moving to Millburn last fall, so Rummel said the popularity of November's concert was partly due to that. But also a Millburn venue brought a new audience of people who had never attended the orchestra's concerts before.

Among the places that were considered were the schools, including Millburn Middle School, which is a short walk from downtown. Rummel said they were encouraged to try the middle school in an effort to help downtown because of the number of people the concert drew.

But there was the issue of rent for the school. Rummel said they could charge at the door for the concert to cover the rent, but concerts have always been free. The orchestra didn't want to have to start charging.

So the orchestra turned to the local churches. Not only did Community Congregational Church say the orchestra wouldn't have to pay, but the church's leadership also is working to develop relationships with local musicians, Rummel said.

"There was a synergy to be able to do this," he said.

The relationship also has fostered the orchestra to be involved with other music events at the church. Nine members played at the church's "Messiah" concert at Christmastime.

The church has more than 500 seats available, and the last concert drew at least 300 people. More people were turned away, so it's hard to say how many people would have actually been at the concert, Rummel said.

While the orchestra will hold its concert in the church, they're still practicing in the recreation facilities. It has been rehearsing at the recreation building at Gero Park, and it will move back to the Bauer Center once spring youth sports start. But they may move to the church in the future to rehearse.