London Ambulance Service paramedic shares ‘pride’ in one-of-a-kind Blue Light Symphony Orchestra

Talented London Ambulance Service (LAS) staff, alongside other members of Britain’s emergency services, took to the stage on Friday (11 October) to play a concert in the UK’s only orchestra of its kind.

The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra, which is made up of paramedics, serving police, firefighters, NHS staff, civilian support staff and ex-military took place in central London on Friday.

Paramedic Heather Cole, who has been with LAS for 15 years, joined the Blue Light Symphony Orchestra three years ago after she saw an advert on social media. She plays the cello and has done so since she was nine years old.

She said: “It makes me feel proud to do something like this with other emergency services personnel. So often we deal with difficult things in our jobs and this orchestra is a real outlet – it’s like therapy really! It’s so nice to do something like this outside of work and to get to know our colleagues better.

“The Blue Light Symphony is full of emergency services personnel so we understand each other’s’ lives, which I think helps us to play well together. The workshop days are very relaxed and friendly, offering lots of great opportunities to be able to switch off completely and relax.”

In the concert on Friday, members came together for a unique performance of some classical favourites, such as Beethoven’s overture ‘Egmont’, a stormy and dramatic rendition of Mozart’s Piano concerto No.20. in D minor and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 during an unforgettable evening at Smith Square Hall, London, SW1P 3HA.

Ahead of the concert, serving Surrey Police officer and acting conductor Seb Valentine said: “This unique concert is a celebration of the musical talent that exists within the UK’s emergency services. It is a rare opportunity for these selfless individuals to show their human side and express themselves artistically.”

To anyone interested in joining the symphony, Heather urged them to sign up. She said: “Please do join us! It’s a very welcoming place and everyone is in a similar place in their lives – they enjoy playing music and they work for the emergency services so they appreciate what life is like!

“They all understand the challenges of trying to keep a hobby going with our busy rotas. If you play an instrument, if it’s been a long time since you played and you want to get back into it, or if you love playing music but find it hard to commit to a regular rehearsal day, then this is the orchestra for you.”

For anyone interested in joining, you can find more information here. The orchestra has several workshops planned for next year.

Additionally for anyone wishing to watch these musicians – a joint emergency services concert with Met Police Choir, LFB choir and the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS choir will take place on 17 May on London and a concert to celebrate 75 years of the International Police Association in November at Guildford Cathedral.

Background:

The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra is a registered charity which runs day and weekend orchestra workshops with no ongoing commitment which makes them accessible to shift workers who cannot join other orchestras that rehearse regularly.

You can find out more about the orchestra and events here.