The Open University Musical Society, in its original form, was disbanded prior to 1985, but a few students felt that the idea was worth reviving; this duly happened, and was approved by OUSA in mid-1985. To keep the ball roiling, as it were, some means of communication had to be provided – not forgetting that this was in the days before mass internet usage. The original officers (Chairman Chris Parnell, Secretary David Hitchin and Editor Treasurer and Membership Secretary Sharpey-Schafer only provided their addresses, and not even mobile numbers in the first issue), in their plea for copy, asked for a minimum of 5 lines per year per member, on almost any subject, and humour would be welcome. The subscription was set at £1 per year, for which 3 Journals would be provided. Oddly, the first issue consisted of one typed and duplicated copy of 32 pages combined with issue number 2. The subjects included the Brandenburg Problem, pop and, after several pages of jokes, a quiz.
Issue 20, in Summer 1992, featured Beethoven on the cover, but still no email addresses; Martin Slater – still a member – composed a Rondo for guitar which was published on page 14; the quiz had changed into a crossword, and there was criticism of various OU courses such as the unrevised A241 and A314. The Journal was photocopied – leading to many different typefaces and a generally untidy presentation, The content was still 32 page, Issue 25 coincided with the 25th anniversary of the OU itself, and contained two articles by our present President, Peter Piper.
Journal 36 was marked by a change in both chairman and secretary (David Chatterton and Linda Brown respectively; Linda is still in post, but David decided to retire in 2022). Journal 40 was marked by the first appearance of a logo on its cover, but that disappeared not to reappear for some years. The content was entirely of classical music, but much greater use had been made of the internet (including officers’ email addresses) and a uniform typeface made for a much more readable magazine, including an interesting TMA for AA302.
The cover of the Journal changed to a stylised keyboard, with a score printed vertically. The content of the 50th edition remained largely as in issue 1, but with several items from BBC News Online, and the almost obligatory quiz to fill out what had been reduced to 28 pages. Signs of declining membership numbers, perhaps, reduced issue 55 to a mere 16 pages and a very basic cover. Issue 60 in Autumn 2007 reflected on the much increased use of the internet, and as a result OUMS conferences – which had been held since 1986 – were discontinued as ‘students have found other ways to communicate with one another’. A long article on Music for Health was included – years ahead of its time and the thoughts of the value of music as championed by Gareth Malone and others some 10 years later. Issue 62 reflected a change in the binding of the Journal from staples to adhesive.
A lengthy quiz formed the largest part of issue 75, together with a report of the AGM, held in Chichester, which was down to a mere 12 pages. Issue 80 contained a long article on the OU Chapel Choir, and also the Gallic Keyboard, by the Journal’s current editor, Anne Passmore. Colour appeared in issue 81 for the first time – this made excellent use of the varied subject matter, including a visit to Edward Heath’s house, Arundells, in Salisbury, and the Music of the Aliens on television – notably the Daleks and Doctor Who.
Anne Passmore took over the editorship of the Journal for number 84, published in Autumn 2015, and is still producing excellent copy some 10 years later. There is more use of colour, and a consistent typeface.
Issue 100, in Spring 2021, showed the different types of cover used since 1984, and had a history of the OUMS by the President, Peter Piper; inevitably there were articles from the archives of edition 1 – a quiz, a composition exercise and a list of notable anniversaries of 100 years – as diverse as the Alexandria Opera House, the death of Mario Lanza and the founding of the West Australia Symphony Orchestra. In such a diasporic membership as the OU itself, and the OPUMS, a regular section of the Journal now includes space for new members to introduce themselves, – their studies, interests and musical history. The next issue, in Spring 2025 will include, as a tribute to issue 1, a quiz, with a prize, as in 1984. The Journal continues to fulfil its original aims, to provide the best means of communication between members, even in the days of the internet and rapid connectivity.
My thanks to Linda Brown, Secretary and archivist of the OUMS, for the help in preparation of this article.
Photographs:
Issue 1 and issue 100
Taken by Mike Bechley, no copyright.
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