Doctors Orchestra quintet holds Lake Taupō Hospice fundraiser

Multimedia Journalist, Waikato·Waikato Herald·

23 Oct, 2023 10:01 PM2 mins to read

The New Zealand Doctors Orchestra quintet will perform an open rehearsal on November 4 and 5.

Music and medicine may not be the most traditional pairing, but players from the New Zealand Doctors Orchestra (NZDO) make them into a melodious combination - even throwing fundraising into the mix.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the NZDO piano quintet open rehearsal fundraiser for Lake Taupō Hospice.

Open rehearsals give members of the public the chance to drop in to see the steps a group of musicians go through to bring a piece of music to life.

Next weekend there will be three, two-hour open rehearsal sessions, followed by a final play-through on Sunday afternoon.

Dr Peter Fleischl, the quintet’s cello player, said the format was an interesting way to work.

“During rehearsal, we chat with the public and get their ideas on how they like things to be played.

“We try to openly critique our playing and work transparently to improve, as we go.”

The piece of choice this year is Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F Minor, a chamber music piece written by the 19th-century composer.

Fleischl said it was a work that depended on a strong pianist.

“Dr Louise Webster is not only a fine pianist, but also a Doctor of Music and one of New Zealand’s foremost contemporary composers.

“We are delighted to play with Louise and she brings an expectation of very high standards to the group.”

Webster, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and Fleischl, a locum GP, will be joined by child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Allister Bush (1st violin), house surgeon Dr Anne Kin (2nd violin) and radiologist Associate Professor Anthony Doyle (viola).

What: NZ Doctors Piano Quintet open rehearsal fundraiser

When: Saturday November 4: 10am–12pm and 2pm-4pm. Sunday November 5: 10am-12pm and 1pm-2pm (playthrough)

Where: Great Lake Centre, mezzanine level

Cost: Gold coin donation

This is a Public Interest Journalism funded role through NZ On Air