We were saddened to learn of the passing of Don Hancock on 18 January 2012.
Don was a much valued member of our first violin section and will be greatly missed.
Calling all string players.... we need you.
The Orchestra is particularly in need of experienced violinists to assist with our next concert.
Of course we would be delighted to welcome other players wishing to join us if we have a vacancy; we particularly need a 2nd basson.
Please make contact with us through the U3A Hawthorn Office.
Videos from our November 2011 concert are on YouTube
The orchestra began in mid-1997 as a very small group of musicians,
several of whom had worked years before with George Logie-Smith, our first Director.
From March 2000 we enjoyed the guidance of Christopher Martin, whose reputation attracted many more players,
and we grew to some 55 members, including several ex-MSO members and many enthusiastic and skilled amateur musicians.
Our conductors for 2012 are Gyula [Jules] Cseszkó and Willem Van Der Vis. We give 3 concerts a year with a repertoire drawn mainly from the 18th to 20th centuries.
To read more of our history click here To play a video excerpt of our first concert click here
[ requires Windows Media Player (low resolution) ]
The Players
First Violin
Leader Dorothy Oakley [Leader]
Joan Abbott, Graeme Barker, Anne Byrne, Margaret Boyle, Norma Couchman,
Rudolph Dombrovski, Ed Jansen, Brian Mee, Marcella Petersen
Second Violin
Barbara Argall [Principal], Irene Ayton, Prue Brown, Jasmine Brunner,
Prue Ferguson,
Diana Maxwell, Kath Spence, Beth Stengards
Viola
Geoff Gloster [Principal],
Klaus Buechler, George Deutsch, Angela Glover, John Hughes,
Jenny Johnson,
Erik Pool, Marjorie Walker,
Cello
Faye Goldsmith [Principal], Heather Ambrose, Ellie Barnes, Arthur Braun,
Margot Bremner,
Nicole Brown,
Gina Cowling, Isolde Kinns, Marian Neal, Margaret O’Connor,
Jo Ridgeway,
Claire Sheppard, Helen Wilkinson
Double Bass
Bill Clark, Leon Heale,
Keay Watson
Flute & Piccolo
Phyllis Todner [Principal], Jo Stewart
Oboe
Diana McLellan [Principal],
Vivien Spencer
Cor Anglais
Diana McLellan
Clarinet
Heather Perry, Phillip Norris
Bass Clarinet
Helen Pitt*
Bassoon
Barbara Trauer, Linda Roehrs
French Horn Bruce Ikin*, David Keeffe*, Brian Sorenson,
Robyn Sorenson, Peter Taylor*
Trumpet
Barry McKimm [Principal], Nicholas Day-Lewis,
Trombone
Len Western [Principal], Neil Bates, David MacArthur,