Musicus Medicus and the NSW Doctors Orchestra

by Dr Cathy Fraser

Reflecting my limited Latin learned by slow osmosis during my medical and musical studies, “Musicus Medicus” is the name I came up with when I founded the NSW Doctors Orchestra in 2004. We now have about 250 members who welcome the opportunity to combine their work in medicine with their ongoing interest in and passion for music. At least once a year, 60 to 80 doctors and medical students from all areas of NSW come together at one time to play in the orchestra with general practice and all specialties represented. Apart from the hard work and fun it’s also a great chance to catch up with colleagues from a variety of fields of medicine. We like to think we’re promoting a healthier life-work balance at the same time as having heaps of fun making good music.

Musicus Medicus supports both the arts and medicine by donating to the Sydney Eisteddfod as well as to a different medical charity of our choice each year.  The Eisteddfod has served as a launching pad for many of the musicians in the orchestra as well as many of the professionals who join us as soloists.  We fund the NSW Doctors Orchestra Instrumental Scholarship for young soloists aged 16 to 25 years of age. In addition we support the Young Virtuosi Program run by Fine Music 102.5FM. 

The medical charity this year was the Day of Difference Foundation, which aims to reduce the incidence and impact of children's critical injury in Australia. Founded in 2004 by Ron and Carolyn Delezio following the tragic and highly publicised accidents of their daughter Sophie, the Foundation's pioneering 6-year Paediatric Critical Injury Research Program is building evidence to deliver improved outcomes for critically injured children and their families. 

You can find Musicus Medicus on Facebook.

If you’re interested in joining us or supporting us, check out our website www.nswdo.net.au