Great Scot September 2018 Gt Scot_154_September_online | Page 90

OSCA Film Society FILM SOCIETY MEMBERS AT A RECENT SCREENING. LEFT TO RIGHT: GARY EDWARDS (’60), GRAEME MCRAE (’54), DON BADENACH (’48), IAN MACFARLANE (’59), BOB LOVE (’52), DAVID PURVIS (’44), IAN MARCHMENT (’63), KEITH WEYMOUTH (’44) FILM SOCIETY FOLLOWS THE VOYAGE OF THE SOUTHERN SUN Old Scotch Film Society members followed 2015 Adventurer of the Year, Michael Smith’s amazing solo flight circumnavigating the globe in a tiny amphibious flying boat, graphically portrayed in his film, Voyage of the Southern Sun, produced in 2017 by Spectre Films. The film, shown on 22 July at Scotch in the Fraser Smith Theatre, was the second film in the society’s Term 3 and 4 program. This was a real ‘edge of seat’ adventure, and just one of a wonderful variety of films shown this year by the Film Society, many of which are rarely seen or often missed when screened in commercial cinemas. The society screens comedies, gripping mysteries, timeless classics, historical dramas and foreign films, followed by lively discussion and a cuppa, all in the comfort of the Fraser Smith Theatre. Membership of the society is a great way to catch up with old friends or meet new ones. Check out the Film Society’s program and membership information via the website: https://oscanet.com. au/#filmsociety, or contact Kay Edwards on 0400 128 690 or [email protected]. KAY EDWARDS — SECRETARY, OLD SCOTCH FILM SOCIETY 90 Symphony Orchestra OSSO celebrates five musical years No longer a fledgling OSCA club, the Old Scotch Symphony Orchestra (OSSO) is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. The orchestra marked the anniversary with a concert on 26 August at OSSO’s ‘home ground’, the superb Ian Roach Theatre at Scotch, at which OSSO performed Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel overture and Johann Strauss II’s Tales from the Vienna Woods. In this interview, Jason Ha (‘12), one of OSSO’s founders and its current President, reflects on OSSO’s progress. You have been a driving force for OSSO since its inception. What inspired you to initiate this group? It was very much a group effort from the beginning, sparked by the magical formula of the 2012 Scotch College Symphony Orchestra Europe tour, a strong graduating class of orchestral musicians, and the fervent passion in reliving those wonderful memories that brought us all together in the first place. I fondly remember playing Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony at our last concert on the tour in Eton College school hall, and as the very last chord faded away, it dawned on the Year 12s that it would be the last time they would play together as part of the school orchestra. In that poignant moment I think we realised that there was nothing to stop us from continuing to play together in the future, and the rest is history! Our musical director John Ferguson has been instrumental in this whole journey, and we are grateful for his time, enthusiasm and musical direction. We are especially indebted to Graeme McRae (‘54) and Scott Montgomery (‘85), who have been incredibly supportive. What are some of the most memorable moments from OSSO concerts? Some of my fondest memories of OSSO are those moments when we have featured the musical talents of some of the wider Scotch community, and have shared our love of making music together. It never ceases to amaze me how OSSO can bring together people from all walks to life for an afternoon to share in our musicians’ passion and joy in performing to our family, friends and fans. Each of these experiences has helped OSSO to grow in our musical experience. How do OSSO concerts and rehearsals compare to your experiences in the Scotch College Symphony Orchestra? OSSO and the Scotch College Symphony Orchestra are very different. OSSO has only a few concerts each year, each with an intensive period of about five rehearsals – quality rather quantity is our primary goal. The first ever OSSO concert was primarily composed of Old Boys who had previously been in the orchestra, but in 2018 it comprises young musicians from all backgrounds. We are very proud of how OSSO packs a musical punch, and tackles masterpieces that keep musicians and audience members coming back for more. What’s in store for the next five years? OSSO has a very bright future. With the recent addition of some inspired young Old Boys who have recently been on a similar orchestral tour to ours, OSSO will grow from strength to strength. We look forward to supporting the School and the boys, to help make orchestral music an integral part of their lives. OSSO has always been an orchestra with a community vibe, and we really do have a strong OSSO family! We are always on the lookout for new members. If you are a musician or could contribute to the running of the orchestra by joining our committee, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with us at [email protected] JASON HA ('12) — OLD SCOTCH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Great Scot Number 154 – September 2018