The sounds of Beethoven and Mozart will be filling the air on Sunday mornings in Taylor Park.

The Metropolitan Orchestra of New Jersey has moved to Millburn and the Bauer Center from West Orange, something French horn player Ed Rummel is happy to see.

"I always wanted Millburn to have an orchestra," said the Millburn-Short Hills resident. "I saw an opportunity here where we could acquire one that has already been established."

The orchestra has been at the JCC in West Orange for at least 35 years, starting there when the center was a YMCA. But the orchestra started looking for a new home when the JCC started asking for every member of the orchestra to become a member at $195, according to Rose Feldman, of Livingston, a violinist.

"They insisted," she said. "We had many meetings (about moving). We feel attached (to the JCC)."

The orchestra rehearses on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. to noon at the Bauer Center and they already have their first concert planned. A performance of Beethoven material is scheduled for Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. at the Bauer Center.

Rummel said the center isn't conducive for concerts. "It's not really a concert hall," he said. "It's a life raft for the orchestra."

He has big plans long-term of where the orchestra could perform in Millburn. One idea is to play at the Paper Mill Playhouse when it's dark, he said, but he hasn't explored that option.

"(None of the other communities) have the Paper Mill in their backyard," he said. "I see it as something we have as an opportunity."

But if not at the Paper Mill, the group could also work out to play in Millburn-Short Hills schools, which is what other community orchestras and bands do, Rummel said.

The orchestra members want to be involved with student musicians, Feldman said, and have invited Millburn High School orchestra members to join.

"Some are involved in other orchestras," she said. "There's a lot for them."

But it's important for children to have music in their lives, she said. "All of our lives we always had something to turn to," she said of playing an instrument. "Playing an instrument is forever."

But in the end, the orchestra needs support from Millburn-Short Hills residents, Rummel said.

"If the community doesn't support it, why are we here?" he said. "The best community orchestras do well because they have community support."

The orchestra could use new participants, he said, but they also need volunteers beyond the people who play an instrument. If the musicians run everything, he said, it takes away from their focus on the music. Someone who appreciates music could help with other things like publicity and technical issues, he said.

Those interested in joining the orchestra can contact Rummel at edrummel@verizon.net.