Orchestra offers sweet harmony for busy blue light personnel | News

Two members of Royal Surrey staff have struck a chord by joining an orchestra made up of players drawn from NHS and emergency services staff and military personnel.

Christina Laing, Senior Administrative Assistant in Radiotherapy, and Lorna Hunter, Radiographer, play with the Blue Light Symphony Orchestra, founded by Seb Valentine, an opera singer turned detective sergeant.

Consisting of a core group of 65 musicians, the orchestra is a charity set up to support wellbeing through music by offering those working in the emergency and affiliated services a musical release from the pressures of work.

Christina, who plays the violin and has worked at Royal Surrey for 22 years, will be joining the orchestra for a workshop and concert in Bath next month.

She said: “I joined the orchestra four years ago after my colleague Lorna told me about it and it’s such an enjoyable thing to do. It’s a very friendly and welcoming group of people. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves playing a musical instrument.”

Lorna, who plays bassoon and clarinet and has worked at the Trust for 20 years, added: “The orchestra is great for anyone who works shifts and can’t commit to regular rehearsal times. There are weekend or one day workshops about three times a year and they offer the perfect musical escape if you love being part of a musical community.”

The orchestra will be playing Dvořák’s Symphony Number 9, ‘From the New World’ at The Forum in Bath on Saturday 15 August. Tickets for blue light staff cost £16 using code BLUELIGHT16.

If you are interested in joining the Blue Light Symphony Orchestra, you can find out more on their website.