THEY are usually patching up the sick and injured but three St George Public Hospital medicos occasionally put their stethoscopes aside to add music to the ears of their audiences.
The anaesthetist, geriatrician and an emergency physician are members of NSW Doctors Orchestra.
Anaesthetist and clarinettist Andrew Kennedy's flirtation with music began when he was seven.
His mother was dying of cancer and wanted him to learn to play an instrument.
He spent 11 years studying before graduating at the Conservatorium of Music, later performing with musical societies.
Dr Kennedy, who received his medical qualifications in between, is proud that his father Athol and stepmother Christine have travelled from Queensland to hear him play.
"There is nothing more important to me than family and music," Dr Kennedy said. "I've got nine nieces and nephews who I get to play with."
Saras Chauchan, who took to music when she was eight, is a violinist and emergency physician.
Originally from London, Dr Chauchan joined the NSW Doctors Orchestra to be with like-minded people.
"I love listening to all sort of music, to indie and jazz but I find classical music moving and special," she said.
Louise Baird is the geriatrician who plays violin.
The 80-strong orchestra is about to perform in a fundraising concert, CzechMate.
Under the baton of David Banney, this is a joint initiative of the NSW Doctors Orchestra and Sydney Eisteddfod.
There will be a performance of Dvorak's Cello Concerto by guest artist and Sydney Eisteddfod alumni, David Pereira, with music by Smetana and Janacek.
The orchestra was founded by (doctor) Cathy Fraser in 2003.
The concert will support PRaMM, Perinatal Research and Maternal Medicine, based at the Royal North Shore Hospital.
It is seeking to find solutions to pregnancy problems and improve maternity health care.
The orchestra contributes to the Young Virtuosi program and sponsors a $10,500 scholarship in the annual Sydney Eisteddfod program.
NSW DOCTORS ORCHESTRA CONCERT
2.30pm, Sunday, May 24, Concourse Concert Hall, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
Bookings: theconcourse.com.au
ticketek.com.au, 1300795012
or Concourse box office
