b'Town love to be there, playing together, and they have the best attitudes.Meanwhile, seeking to give MCMaprofessionalidentity, saxophonistKerrieHurford took on the painstaking project ofincorporatingtheorganiza-tionasa501(c)(3)nonprofit, recruiting a Board of Trustees. She also created a website as a Swing Town, playing in Spiotta Park, in the Down-town South Orange concert series repository for all things MCM, frommissionstatementand whilebeingahometothesmallerpolicies to recruitment of new players splinter groups that would spring fromand news about performances.the original two. The Concert Band has had several While the Recreation Departmentdirectors since Buchanans retirement generously supported the bands, afterin 2010. The Bands current director is seven years it had become increasinglyMichael Jedwabnik, who, in addition clearthatMaplewoodCommunityto his role with MCM, is the lead mu-Musicwasbecomingitsownentity.sic teacher for the Livingston School Moreover Buchanan, who had gener- District, assistant director of the Lanc-ously given his time every week to di- er Marching Band and director of the rect both the Concert Band and Swingbands at Livingston High School and Town in alternate weeks, was becom- of its pit orchestra.ing tired and needed to cut back.Over the years, several musical en-BuchananaskedBenWilliams,sembleshaveformedanddissolvedUnique Handcrafted Giftsarenownedtrombonistwhoplayedand re-formed under the auspices ofNew items arriving dailyExtended Holiday Hoursbaritone with the Concert Band, andMCM:JacksonSquare,aDixielandkokoromaplewood.comwhom he had known for years, to takejazzgroup,andBonesUnlimited, thereinsofSwing Town.Ben,whocomprised of four trombone players, happenstobemarriedtoSueWil- stillplaytogetheroccasionally.Five liams, had never before directed an en- yearsago,MCMproducedanother semble, though as a professional musi- musicalsiblingknownasPorchfest, cian hed played in many. Ben saw thethe brainchild of local pianist/vocalist need and accepted the challenge. AsBill Tally. For years Tally had attendedGive the Gift of Flavorhe points out, Amateur means oneJamaica Plains Porchfest in Boston, soCustomizable Gift Baskets and morewho loves, and the members of Swinghe brought the idea to his hometown and put together a committee of mu- 19 South Orange Avesicians from MCM to run the event.973-821-5145ThecommitteechoseasPorchfests venuetheHiltonneighborhoodforKitchenalamode.comits convenient layout, easy walkability, and its many porches.Held each year on Labor Day Sun-day, Porchfest kicks off with a honk parade in which allold and young, those with and those without musical talentare encouraged to join a parade and play whatever theyve got. That in-cludes drums, kazoos, real instruments and trash can lids. Then the music be-gins, with porches in the Hilton neigh-borhoodhostingvariousmusicalper-formances in timed slots to avoid noise The Maplewood Community Bandsinterferencebetweenbands.Porchfest director is Michael Jedwabnik, who is also the lead music teacher for the Livingstonperformers are often joined by children School District, assistant director of thesellingbakedgoodsandlemonadeto Lancer Marching Band and director of the bands at Livingston High School andraise money for various causes. Volun-of its pit orchestra. teersfromtheHiltonneighborhood feature story /29'