NHS Lanarkshire has struck a chord with the launch of its very own staff orchestra.
The orchestra, which is thought to be the first NHS staff orchestra in Scotland, was the brainchild of Dr Evelyn Ferguson, Consultant Obstetrician, at University Hospital Wishaw.
Evelyn explained: “I thought, there must be lots of colleagues across NHS Lanarkshire who play music.
“There is a staff choir, but I can’t sing, so I thought, let’s go for an orchestra and see how we get on and that’s how it was born.”
Evelyn, who plays the violin, and two colleagues – Suzanne Smith, Speech and Language therapist, also a violinist, and Dr Stephanie Dancer, Consultant Microbiologist, who plays the bassoon – are also members of the Stirling Orchestra.
The Stirling Orchestra were one of the five amateur orchestras to reach the grand final of the BBC programme ‘All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge’ back in 2016. This TV series aimed to find the orchestras that capture the spirit of great amateur music-making in the UK.
Experienced conductor and violinist, Mark Wilson, has also joined the staff orchestra project, bringing a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm.
The orchestra members, who rehearse outwith working hours, will make their debut performance at the NHS Lanarkshire staff awards next month. Beyond this, they hope to bring music to the hospital foyers at Christmas and explore more ambitious concerts in the future.
Speaking after the first rehearsal, Evelyn said: “It’s great to get your instrument out the box, dust off the cobwebs, and just get started. We’ve got lots of really talented colleagues who want to be involved and it’ll be exciting to see how the orchestra grows.
“There’s something uplifting about making music as a group, supporting each other, and finding that shared sense of achievement – it’s a real boost for our mental health and wellbeing.”
The staff orchestra has been supported by the NHS Lanarkshire Endowment Fund.
Lesley McDonald, Chair of the NHS Lanarkshire Endowment Trustees, said: “We’re delighted to support such a fantastic initiative through the endowment fund.
“The orchestra not only brings people together in a creative and uplifting way, but also enhances staff wellbeing – something that ultimately benefits both colleagues and patients.”
Link to a video of the first rehearsal – https://vimeo.com/1115486120?fl=pl&fe=sh – NHS Lanarkshire staff orchestra playing Radetzky March composed by Johann Strauss.
