The Australian Doctors Orchestra (ADO) was founded in 1993 by Hobart plastic surgeon and violinist Miki Pohl. He had been intrigued by the disproportionate number of doctors playing at the Mount Buller string music camps, and in the Hobart Chamber Orchestra. He saw the formation of a doctors’ orchestra as an exciting prospect, and his idea became a reality with our first concert in Melbourne in 1993. This featured Melbourne GP William Kimber who played Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor.

After the resounding success of our experimental debut, we alternated between Melbourne and Sydney for 5 years, before venturing forth to Adelaide, and then Hobart, Brisbane and Perth. Melbourne was the host city in 2004, followed by Canberra in 2005. In 2013 we decided to undertake two concerts per year featuring one concert in a regional centre and our major concert in a capital city.

The orchestra is made up of both undergraduates and graduates, representing general practice and all specialties. All states and territories in Australia are represented. Our record size was 170 in Sydney in 2002, in celebration of our 10th anniversary. A hard core of players makes up approximately half of the orchestra, mixed with new and other players who come and go. A few keen veterans have played every one of the 21 years of our existence.

Christopher Martin was our founding conductor and artistic director. He held the position of Senior Lecturer in Strings and Conducting at University of Melbourne for 20 years before retiring. Sadly, Christopher passed away in 2011 and is missed by all.

Chris was succeeded by Keith Crellin as Artistic Director and Conductor in 2006 and the orchestra enjoyed Keith's inspiration and leadership in these roles until 2010.

We feature an exciting array of internationally renowned musicians as soloists in our annual concerts.