Millburn Metropolitan Orchestra Awarded $2,500 Grant

The Board of Trustees of the Summit Area Public Foundation, which provides funds to support work of non-profit agencies in Summit and surrounding communities, has awarded a $2,500 grant to The Metropolitan Orchestra of New Jersey.

The grant money will be used to fund part of the spring concert on June 9. 2013, one of the orchestra's memember, Ed Rummel, said. 

"I thank our member, Len Tobias, for preparing a successful grant application and the Summit Area Public Foundation board for awarding us with their generous grant," Rummel said. "It's not easy for groups like ours to be sustained on just donations, particularly under the current economic conditions.  So the grant is a great help to us."

The Orchestra has spent the last three years based in Millburn and will begin its 41st season. 

"Our last season, at the Hartshorn School, was difficult for us in a number of ways and for our audiences too," Rummel said. Yet in this season, the orchestra has reserved Millburn Middle School auditorium, which was renovated this summer. 

The orchestra, a full symphonic community ensemble under the direction of Conductor and Artistic Director, Michael Stratechuk, will open its three concert season on December 2, 2012 with an all- Dvořák program.

A French program will follow for March 17, 2013, and the generosity of the Summit Area Public Foundation will help support the performance of a family concert, on June 9, 2013, to be aimed at a multi-generational audience.

The orchestra’s new rehearsal day, Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the George Bauer Community Center in Taylor Park, 100 Main Street, Millburn, will commence on September 10.  

The orchestra invites new volunteer players, especially violins, to join.

"We had too few first violins all last season," Rummel said. "I am optimistic that we will now be able get some younger players to join our group."

The venue for the concert performances on Dec. 2, 2012 and March 17, 2013, will be Millburn High School Auditorium. The June 9 concert will be held in the Millburn Middle School Auditorium. All three concerts are on Sundays at 3 p.m..

 Visit: http://metropolitanorchestra.org for more information

John W. Cooper, President of the Summit Area Public Foundation, SAPF, has expressed his pleasure in support for this musical endeavor.  SAPF is a community foundation which strives to enhance its impact on the local community through education, partnerships, and awareness activities.  Many scholarship funds are administered as well.  Visit:  http://sapfnj.org to learn more.