Maui Community Orchestra Is Now Official: We're Incorporated, We Have a Board, and Season 3 Is Underway

Good News Everyone!

The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs has approved Maui Community Orchestra's Articles of Incorporation. That means Maui Community Orchestra is now a formally recognized Hawaii nonprofit corporation, and we're on our way to full 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS.

For those of you who've been with us since the beginning, this is a big moment. For those who are just finding us, welcome. Here's what this means, who's leading the charge, and how you can be part of what we're building.

What Does Incorporation Mean for MCO?

In short: it means we're serious, and we're here to stay.

As a formal nonprofit corporation, Maui Community Orchestra can now:

• Accept charitable donations (and eventually offer donors a tax deduction directly, once our IRS determination comes through)

• Apply for grants to support our programming and growth

• Enter into contracts and formal partnerships

• Build a long term organizational structure to serve Maui for generations

This is the foundation that will let us keep doing what we love, bringing free, high quality orchestral music to every corner of Maui County, for years to come.

Meet Our Founding Board of Directors

Every strong organization needs people who believe in its mission and are willing to put in the work to make it real. We are incredibly fortunate to have found exactly that in our founding board.

Roy Binder, President. You probably already know Roy as Maui Community Orchestra's founder, Director, and one of our three conductors. He also leads Maui School for Strings, where he has spent years nurturing local musical talent. Roy filed the Articles of Incorporation and serves as the organization's registered agent, putting his name

and commitment on the line for this community.

Ginny Morgan, Vice President. Ginny is a professional musician, retired math teacher, and paleontologist, bringing a rare blend of artistic and analytical perspective to MCO's leadership. Her background makes her an ideal guide for where this orchestra is headed.

Nicki Barsamian, Secretary. Many of you already know Nicki as our Librarian, the person who makes sure your music is in your hands every rehearsal. A cellist, local artist, and teacher, Nicki now brings that same dedication and care to her role on the board. MCO runs smoother because of her.

Tiffany Winn, Treasurer. Tiffany is a Maui business owner who understands what it takes to build something lasting. As Treasurer, she'll make sure our finances are managed with care and transparency, so every dollar goes toward making music for this community.

Mickey Gautney, Director at Large. Mickey is one of our three conductors, you've seen him on the podium, and now he's at the table too. As a Director at Large, he makes sure that the artistic heart of Maui Community Orchestra stays front and center in every decision the board makes.

Season 3 Is Underway, Join Us for the Halloween Concert

Our 2026 to 2027 season kicked off in July, and rehearsals continue every Monday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at St. Anthony School Band Room, 1618 Lower Main St, Wailuku.

Our next big date is the 3rd Annual Halloween Concert, Friday, October 30, at 6:00 PM, at Iao United Church of Christ. It's a family affair with a keiki costume and trick or treat parade, a potluck reception on the lanai, and a ten piece program featuring Rona Landrigan as violin soloist on The Devil Went Down to Georgia.

Our Spring Concert follows in May 2027 (exact date TBC), with an Aloha casual evening celebrating the season.

Both concerts are completely free and open to all. No tickets, no reservations, just great music for everyone on Maui.

Musicians Wanted

Are you a musician who's been thinking about joining an orchestra? Now is the perfect time, we're still recruiting strings, brass, and winds ahead of our Halloween Concert. Maui Community Orchestra is open to musicians ages 14 and above:

• Adult players welcome without recommendation

• High school students (grades 9 to 12), need a teacher recommendation

Whether you played in school and drifted away, or you've been waiting for an ensemble that felt welcoming, this is your orchestra. We mean it when we say you belong here.

Thank You

None of this happens without this community. Every member who shows up to rehearsal, every audience member who comes to a concert, every person who believes that live music belongs to everyone on this island, you are the reason Maui Community Orchestra exists.

We can't wait to see you on October 30.

Mahalo nui loa,

Roy Binder

Director & President, Maui Community Orchestra