Mechanical Organ Owners Society
A tribute to Boz Oram
If it wasn't for Boz, the MOOS wouldn't be in existence today
We pay tribute to a man we'll never forget
We pay tribute to a man we'll never forget
On the 1st October 2013, the preservation movement was rocked by the loss of our former Chairman and Magazine Editor Boz Oram. His death was completely unexpected.
He was an incredible person. Full of life and spirit . A big passion for Steam and Mechanical Music, and in particular, devoted to encouraging young people like me into the preservation world.
He was an incredible person. Full of life and spirit . A big passion for Steam and Mechanical Music, and in particular, devoted to encouraging young people like me into the preservation world.
Boz's involvement with the Mechanical Organ Owners Society dates right back to the start, when his father, Brian Oram, founded the organisation with Roger Burville. Boz took over as Chairman of the society when it was failing. He enlisted the help of Margaret Cook to grab subscriptions. He 'had a cleared out' in the committee to make way for younger blood, and he set about producing a quarterly magazine, despite no experience of such a role.
Several years later, after saving the society from bankruptcy, he enlisted a new Chairman and Editor, and he and Linda continued to organise the annual MOOS Tours every November. Again, without the tours, we would not have the society we have today. Everyone will take away fond memories of Boz's wicked sense of humor, but he had a more serious side. Every tour was executed perfectly, and he ensured everyone had a good time. He put everyone else's enjoyment first. The well used scale card for 'Shahrazad'
For my birthday in August 2013, Boz turned up to the Great Dorset Steam Fair with a new book of music for my Dutch Street Organ 'Het Blauwtje'.
Boz had arranged 'Smile', an old Charlie Chaplin song. But as we played it for the first time, it was obvious something was a little odd. The bass drum was beating out a swing rhythm. He'd got it mixed up with the cymbal. Boz found it hilarious and said he'd correct it, but I told him it'd make me smile every time I played the book! Fond memories. Often when i'm with the organ at an event in bad weather, or with complaining tradestand owners, or screaming children, I just play 'Smile' and escape the world for a moment! A quote that always makes me smile. Written onto a noticeboard that displayed the history of 'Shahrazad', painted by his late mother Lan . The Oram family all had a wonderful sense of humour.
Boz had many many friends here and abroad, and it is thanks to Boz we all have international connections. Running the tours bought the UK closer to Holland, Belgium, France. I personally have so many dear friends on the continent, and it's all thanks to Boz and Linda. Boz did a great deal to share and broaden our hobby.
Here he 'gets the party started' at the AMICA convention Boz's funeral was held at St Peter's Church, St Mary Bourne on October 21st 2013.
With standing room only, the large church-full witnessed a celebration of Boz's life. His coffin signwritten with the words 'Boz Oram- Our Friend' painted on the sides. A minutes silence in the church was filled with the whistles of steam engines parked outside. Afterwards memories were shared at the local pub, the carpark filled with engines, and his organ 'Sharazad' playing his arrangements. Everyone will have countless fond memories and stories about him, because that's Boz. I cannot think of another individual who has done so much for this hobby we all enjoy. Thank you Boz. Life will never be the same again. Words by James Dundon. |
Boz doing on site repair to a music book from 'Shahrazad'.
Boz's passion in the last few years has been music arranging, particularly for his 57 Key Hooghuys, 'Shahrazad'. With no musical knowledge, cigar in mouth, pencil in hand, he spent hours of his life drawing bar lines onto the card, marking out the notes with a scale stick, and then punching the holes out. He made the organ play every style of music you could ever imagine. Boz loved 'Shaharazad' and the organ repaid him in performing his arrangements perfectly. His ideas just worked. Me and Boz at Dorset 2013, having a good laugh about the unintentional dirty rumpy pumpy bass drum! This was taken just as we finished playing Boz's new arrangement for the first time.
Boz had no time for negativity. He was too busy living life. Boz was once approached by a preservationist, who suggested he had ruined 'Shahrazad' by playing the modern style music on it. Boz thought this was absolutely hilarious.
Whenever one of this arrangements was played on 'Shahrazad', the organ came alive and people would be sticking their head round the back door of the lorry asking who the arranger was. The music was totally unique, daring and fun, like the man himself. The 2009 MOOS Tour saw an incredible evening in the Kunkells Hall in Haarlem. It was the re-opening of their building after a fire damaged some instruments within the collection. Boz got the party started with some singing and dancing, and everyone had the most memorable evening. I remember Boz being almost speechless at how well the evening had gone. He was delighted to see so many close friendships formed between the English and Dutch organ enthusiasts. He knew if everyone shared his 'no borders or boundaries' view, the future of preservation would be safe. This holds us strong today.
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Below we have reproduced the last MOOS magazine article written by Boz.
In it recalls how in his early days, the mechanical organs owned by his father, didn't excite him!
[Published in MOOS magazine 'Vox Humana' June 2013]
In it recalls how in his early days, the mechanical organs owned by his father, didn't excite him!
[Published in MOOS magazine 'Vox Humana' June 2013]
Geraardsbergen 2007 (Photo: Rudy Nijs)