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Trios, quartets, ensembles and orchestras have all benefitted from the cello playing skills of Dr Andrew Zischke from Grange Road Dental Group in Ipswich, Queensland.
“I play cello in semi-professional orchestras. I play with multiple ensembles and have performed more than 10 concerts in the past couple of years. The amount of practice needed before each performance usually depends on the difficulty of the repertoire. Sometimes, it can be a challenge to find enough hours in the week so I have to practise during lunchtime at the surgery. I can sight-read music reasonably proficiently and that’s a great benefit during rehearsals leading up to a concert.
“I also play with the Australian Doctor’s Orchestra. Each year, they choose a city within Australia to perform one or two concerts. I’ve played with them eight times including this year when we performed in Toowoomba in June. Each year, they pick a different charity to support and this year it was CareFlight.
“I started cello when I was at school and rose up through the ranks of the Australian Music Examinations Board. It’s an expressive instrument with a sonorous, warm sound. When I was at the University of Queensland, I played in string trios and quartets for weddings and corporate gigs. That’s how I made money during my university years. I actually completed my first year of a music degree before swapping over to dentistry.
“I think there’s a relationship between music and dentistry. They both have mathematical and analytical aspects that require precision and predictability. As a dentist, you’re responsible for the outcome of a patient. As a musician, you’re responsible for the outcome of a successful performance. There are also elements of creativity in dentistry and music that I enjoy.
“Similar to the Australian Doctor’s Orchestra, my ambition is to create a chamber orchestra consisting of dentists and medical doctors who are also musicians. We will play concerts and raise money for various charities. In October, I’m organising a concert called Rhythms of Resilience. We are raising money for the Mater Foundation, for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people at Clarence Street. We are seeking to raise enough money to buy a coffee cart for young people doing courses in hospitality. We plan to set up a mobile coffee cart as a social enterprise and support our young people delivering tea and coffee at functions in Brisbane.
“Playing the cello allows me to find another headspace that’s outside of work. I can be free and in the zone with the music. When I perform music that speaks to me and to other people, that’s a special place to be. Playing in ensembles and orchestras also has a nice social element where I get to interact with people other than dental professionals.”
Interested in joining Dr Zischke’s chamber orchestra? Contact him at
info@grangeroaddentalgroup.com.au.
To make a tax deductible donation to Rhythms of Resilience, visit https://bit.ly/4bH9oB4.
