Contact and bookings via the U3A Hawthorn Office
(03) 9821 0282

For U3A Hawthorn Website click here

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 are Gyula [Jules] Cseszkó and Willem Van Der Vis. We give 3 concerts a year and since 2012 have followed our final concert with visits to at least 1 Primary school in the region, choosing schools with little or no music education programs. These have been enthusiastically received, and the players enjoy the experience of interacting with the children. We hope to continue this practice in the future.

To read more of our history click here

See a video of our string quintet recorded 22 August 2015 click here

 

The Players

First Violin

Leader Jaynee Russell-Clarke
Karen Love, Omega Pott, Mangala Ruddy, Elizabeth Torrance, Mary-Helen Woods

Second Violin
Graeme Barker [Principal], Bibi Aickin, Loris Balderson, Margaret Brauer, Prue Brown, Jasmine Brunner, Anne Byrne, Brian Mee, Beth Stengards, Margaret Wu
Viola
Graeme Croft, Julie Liang, Moira Yffer


 

Cello
Gina Cowling, Rick McQueen-Thomson, Marian Neal, Claire Sheppard, Helen Wilkinson

Double Bass
Earle Hunter [Principal], Bill Clark, Sid Cowling
Flute & Piccolo
Mary Keusgen [Principal], Annette Sloan
Oboe
Terry Smith [Principal], Elspeth Noxon

Clarinet
Heather Crockart, Phillip Norris

Bassoon
Barbara Trauer [Principal], Rob Weiss


 

French Horn
Brian Sorenson, Robyn Sorenson, Michele Hancock, David Keeffe*
Trumpet
Jim Gardiner, George McClean
Trombone
Michael Cousins, David MacArthur
Tuba
Naham Warhaft
Timpani
Christine Flood*
Percussion
Roslyn Evans*, Peter Robb*
* denotes guest players