A nimble-fingered Nelson surgeon will swap his scrubs for concert attire to play piano with other doctors in a newly formed orchestra's inaugural concert.

The New Zealand Doctors' Orchestra features 65 players from across New Zealand, who plan to pay – and play – their way around the country.

The orchestra aims to produce high-quality music, build collegiality and work-life balance and to reinvigorate the able musicians within the profession. All ticket sales from their concerts will go to charity, with money raised at this Sunday's Nelson School of Music concert destined for the Nelson Region Hospice Trust.

Nelson surgeon Adrian Secker has been busy practising Schumann's Piano Concerto (1st movement), which he will play as a soloist.

He said it was "a lovely piece", a duet for a piano and orchestra, which Schumann wrote for his wife.Mr Secker was last on stage at the Nelson School of Music as a guest musician in a Nelson Male Voice Choir concert. "I play every day, particularly at the moment. It's very relaxing. I have played all my life. I have got the best outcome really, in that for me it's very much a hobby, so I can still love it. I don't have to do it as a job. I retain the enjoyment of it."

Mr Secker flew his brother, Mark Secker, up from Christchurch so they could practise the piece together.

His brother played the orchestral part on a Yamaha upright piano, which Mr Secker had pushed next to his Steinway Model M grand piano in his living room at home.

Mr Secker said music was part of his life at work too. He recorded himself playing his solo and played it back to his colleagues in theatre at Nelson Hospital.

He said playing an instrument was not a must for surgeons, "but I'm sure having nimble fingers is useful".

This Sunday's programme also includes Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony, Douglas Lilburn's Aotearoa overture and two arias sung by Christchurch physiotherapist Tara Martin. New Zealand Doctors' Orchestra, 2pm Sunday, tickets $20 from the Nelson School of Music.

- © Fairfax NZ News