Maui Community Orchestra Conductor Vania Jerome Evaluates the Success of Our First Concert

Maui Community Orchestra’s mission is to create inexpensive, family-friendly concerts composed of musicians with skill levels ranging from amateur to professional. The ensemble opens doors to anybody interested in working with a group playing the double bass, cello, viola, and violin. The group receives funding from Maui School for Strings and Lahaina Music to bring people together cost-free.

We warmly welcome our conductor, Vania Jerome, for stepping up and keeping the group in line.

“...I really thought I would be mostly observing the rehearsal. Well, as you know, when I got there, to my surprise, Roy introduced me as the new orchestra conductor, and the rest is history.”

Our first fall concert, on October 27, 2024, was a success! The curated song list, which included Phantom of the Opera, Haunted Ballroom, and Smells Like Teen Spirit, was spooky yet stunning. Located at the J. Walter Cameron Center, we engaged with keiki by hosting a costume parade during the performance. 

However, achieving this big feat wasn’t feasible. Vania explains her struggles in finding a last-minute costume.

“I was a bit apprehensive about the last concert due to how little practice and preparation I had since I joined fairly late. I don’t dress up, and I don't like too much attention, so finding out that I needed a Halloween costume was an uncomfortable surprise. However, as an educator, I am constantly encouraging my students to step outside of their comfort zones and do something daring, so I didn’t want to be a hypocrite. I found the most outlandish costume I could find (Ursula, from The Little Mermaid) and wore that for our performance, focusing my attention on leading the orchestra to the best of my ability.”

Overall, Maui Community Orchestra’s Halloween concert was a pivotal moment that upstarted awareness for our name.

“I was so proud of our little group, and it gave me such joy to conduct an orchestral group after a 26-year hiatus. The orchestra did so well [that] it inspired my husband to want to join.”

Inspired by the Maui Pops Orchestra, we are excited to share our mission, which we believe will resonate with Maui musicians and inspire them to join us. Together, we look forward to expanding our ensemble to the big-production theater stages with semi-annual concerts.

“This is a safe place where we can all learn and improve from each other. I am learning more and more about how I can become a better conductor each rehearsal as I find ways to improve my conducting technique and discover new moments in the music. Don’t wait until you’re ‘good enough’ to join. If you have a passion for music and you’re willing to work hard and take constructive criticism aimed to make you better, then you are “good enough” and ready to join. If you aren’t already taking private or semi-private lessons to improve your craft, I would strongly recommend it. …I know that lack of finances can be a hindrance, but communicate with a teacher and see if there is something that can be worked out. “

Vania envisions chamber ensembles stemming from the Maui Community Orchestra, including string quartets and piano trios. With music, the possibilities are bottomless. We anticipate our next Spring concert, looking forward to a moment filled with captivating melodies and unforgettable performances.

 She concludes, “Music can be healing, and playing together with others is such an amazing experience.”