Medicine and music have much in common – a dedication to excellence, performance under pressure, teamwork and much more – so it is little wonder that many physicians are talented musicians behind their stethoscopes. Like doctors, musicians require empathy and communication skills to translate their music for audiences and convey its emotions.

For many of us, music is one of the few passions we are able to indulge in alongside the busy schedule of medical school.

Thus, we felt the need for the Australian Medical Students’ Orchestra. Just over 20 years ago, the Australian Doctors’ Orchestra was formed, and over the past eight years, medical student orchestras have sprung up around Australia. As this momentum has built over recent years, we have been inspired to take this idea to a national level. With members from all over Australia, the orchestra comes together to hold a charity concert at a different city each year.