During the day they deal with patient notes, but in their spare time it’s musical notes that occupy three talented members of staff.

They play for Stirling Orchestra, which reached the grand final of a BBC competition – All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge – aimed at finding the UK’s top amateur orchestra.

Violinist and speech and language therapist, Suzanne Smith, said: “The series has seen the orchestra perform at the BBC’s Maida Vale Studios, accompany soprano Jennifer Davis of the Royal Opera House in Puccini’s One Fine Day, and play at Dunblane Cathedral.

“It was only on the first trip to London that we realised that three of us worked for NHS Lanarkshire.”

Suzanne’s colleagues in the orchestra include Dr Stephanie Dancer, bassoon player and consultant microbiologist, and fellow violinist Dr Evelyn Ferguson, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist.

Evelyn said: “I started in the orchestra in 2008, the same year I was appointed a consultant in Lanarkshire.

“I played in youth orchestras as a child but I thought that was it for me. To take part in the TV show, to travel and to perform in front of audiences was like being a teenager again.”
Stirling was the only orchestra from Scotland to be selected for the series. It was formed in 1983 and draws amateur musicians from across central Scotland.

The orchestra faced the North Devon Sinfonia at London’s Royal Albert Hall in the final of All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge.

Dr Stephanie Dancer, bassoon player and consultant microbiologist, said: “To play the Albert Hall was amazing, it was really nostalgic for me. The experience recreated the rush of emotion that I had as a teenager in orchestras.

“It was a pleasure to play under conductor Stephen Broad. He is such a fantastic person, he gets everyone to play so well together and creates a wonderful atmosphere.”