Millennium Magazine_7th Ed

28 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine D rawing upon familial roots in music performance, Mary Jane Auerbacher has been playing the organ since she was 19 years old. Choosing to pursue organ performance over piano performance in light of the surplus of piano players, Ms. Auerbacher attended the University of the Redlands, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1944 and with a Bachelor of Music in 1947. Surrounded by music since a formative age, she notes that her father was a skilled violinist and French horn player. In 1944, Ms. Auerbacher commenced her career as a first grade teacher at Migratory Camp in Indio, California. Remaining in that role for one year, she went on to serve as the founder of the Valley Preparatory in Redlands, California, in 1958, and was a music teacher at the preparatory school for 16 years between 1960 and 1976. Since that time, she has continued serving as an organist and choir director for several churches throughout the Redlands and San Bernardino, California. A member of the Redlands Community Music Association, Ms. Auerbacher continues to sit on the board of directors of the Valley Preparatory School, and is a past president of American Baptist Women in Redlands from 1981 to 1983 and again from 1990 to 1992. Throughout her years of organ-playing, she finds the most rewarding aspect of her career to be aiding individuals in the congregation feel more connected with God through her music. Demonstrating impressive longevity in her field, Ms. Auerbacher has been playing the organ for nearly 80 years. In light of her longitudinal success, she was honored as a Hero of the Arts by the Redlands Community Music Association, named Woman of the Year by the City of Redlands and was recognized by PEO International. Additionally, she was awarded Lady of Distinction by the University of the Redlands, was honored by the American Association of University Women and received the Grail Award from the Knights of the Round Table. The author of the 1995 book “Devotions,” Ms. Auerbacher enjoys birdwatching, hiking and reading in her spare time. MARY JANE AUERBACHER CHURCH ORGANIST Redlands, CA ARTS, MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT Millennium Magazine Featured Listee