Former West Windsor-Plainsboro Orchestra Director Launches New Performing Ensemble at MCCC

Mercer County Community College (MCCC) has added yet another option for students interested in music performance, with the addition of the MCCC Orchestra during the 2017-18 academic year, led by a veteran Mercer County music educator.

Under the direction of Jean Mauro, who recently retired from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School after 38 years, the MCCC Orchestra performed its debut concert in December. Nearly 100 community residents attended the performance.

"I was so proud of the accomplishments of this small but dedicated group in their concert last month," Mauro said. "They played their hearts out and presented themselves so well to a very appreciative audience."

Mauro is no stranger to high profile performances. During her nearly four decades at West Windsor-Plainsboro, Mauro saw the school's orchestra program grow to nearly 300 students and traveled to Austria, Scotland, Russia, Hawaii and Italy to perform. Her orchestra also teamed up with the school's choirs for performances in Ocean Grove's Great Auditorium, and with the High School North Orchestra for concerts at the War Memorial in Trenton.

The inaugural ensemble at MCCC, she said, presented a different kind of challenge. The group of 10 performers represented a unique mix of instruments, with one violin, one viola, two cellos, an upright base, two trombones, two trumpets, and a French horn. This required Mauro to write arrangements specific to the instrumentation available, blending the contributions of each musician in preparation for the group's concert. Selections included the classics, popular music, and jazz, including Leroy Anderson's "Buglers' Holiday," "Ashokan Farewell" from Ken Burns' Civil War documentary, and "God Bless the Child" from Billie Holliday.

"A diverse ensemble of musicians came together, and learned, as a group," Mauro said.

Mauro said she hopes to build on this past semester and sees the orchestra as an important step in expanding music performance opportunities at MCCC. She encourages all Mercer students with a passion for music - regardless of major - to join the new ensemble.

"Mercer County is an area rich in instrumental music, with outstanding high school music departments within its borders," Mauro said. "Many of these students will continue their post high school education at MCCC, but until this time there was little offered to those who wanted to go on playing in an orchestra.

"Music is the language that binds all humanity. It inspires, soothes, emotes, and lifts our spirits, and there is no greater reward than being the channel that brings such gratification to an appreciative audience."

The MCCC Orchestra joins the Jazz Band and Chorus as performing ensembles presenting concerts twice a year at the college's Kelsey Theatre. For more information on the Music program at MCCC, call (609) 570-3735.

Photo: Jean Mauro, retired orchestra director at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, has launched a new orchestra performing ensemble at Mercer County Community College

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