BUT off duty he’ll work hard to inspire, invigorate and transport you. St George Hospital anaesthetist Andrew Kennedy, 34, has two passions - medicine and music.
The latter began when he was 7, when his mother was diagnosed with cancer and she told her sons her dying wish was to play the piano.
Dr Kennedy and his brother learnt the piano. Then he took up the clarinet, which he now plays in the NSW Doctors Orchestra.
The orchestra has more than 60 members, including StGeorge Hospital geriatric specialist Dr Louise Baird and fellow anaesthetist Dr Marie Dreux, who both play violin.
They will play at a benefit concert, An Afternoon in Vienna at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on Sunday, May 27, to raise money for Can-Assist, a community charity supporting rural people affected by cancer and their families.
‘‘Music is the craft of being able to create something beautiful through dedication,’’ Dr Kennedy said. ‘‘It’s something that has to be in my life.
‘‘Dad told me I couldn’t be a musician who was a doctor on the side but I could be a doctor who was a musician on the side, and I took his advice.’’
Dr Kennedy has been in the orchestra for two years and will lead the clarinet section in the concert. He is also a classical singer and has been with the Australian Voices for 14 years. These young classical singers commission and promote music by Australian composers.
NSW Doctors Orchestra Benefit concert is on Sunday at 2.30pm. Cost $20 to $40. Details: sydneyeisteddfod.com.au
or
