Making Music: Portrait Cards, Left

Name Merri Estren Occupation Head of operations Instrument Viola Member of Kensington Symphony Orchestra Member for 2 years Making music together is... It uses such a radically different part of my brain than my everyday work and allows me to continue to pursue my passion for classical music that I’ve had since I was a child. It’s particularly special to be part of an orchestra because there is a real feeling of community to come together to learn and perform challenging repertoire – it is so rewarding!

Photographer

Mike Massaro

Name Sam Laughton Occupation Barrister Instrument Conductor Member of The Elysian Singers Member for 18 years Making music together is... I like ‘making music together’ with others because it enables us all to put aside our differences and pursue the joint endeavour of expressing our deepest feelings in ways that transcend the earthbound necessities of everyday life.

Photographer

Mike Massaro

Name Sharan Hunjan Occupation Hair academy admin assistant Instrument Singer Member of Colliers Wood Chorus; Games Maker Choir Member for 5 years; 6 months Making music together is.. It lifts my spirits and helps to soothe and nourish my battered soul after a crappy day - guaranteed! I love the camaraderie and team spirit that it helps to instil in each and every one of my choir ‘homies,’ particularly when we are learning repertoire in readiness for a performance! I always walk away from a session full of bounce, and with a big smile on my face!

Photographer

Mike Massaro

Name Lukas Schmidt Occupation Bioanalytical chemist Instrument Trombone Member of South London Symphonic Winds Member for 7 months Making music together is... Throughout my life, making music with others - be it a small band with dear friends back home in Bavaria, a full orchestra at university in Vienna, or an ensemble here after moving to the UK - has been my invaluable companion. It is truly uplifting and I am very grateful for all the interpersonal and intercultural experiences that making music has allowed me to have.

Photographer

Mike Massaro

Name Bennet Smith Occupation Garden photographer Instrument Percussion Member of Wadhurst Brass Band;

Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band Member for 25 years Making music together is... However much I love playing the triangle (which is a lot), it’ll always sound better in the context of a composition.

But making music together is so much more than just that… it’s a source of long-lasting friendships. Last summer I became engaged to Suzanne, a wonderful tuba player, and we share so much through playing live music together. To top it off, it’s terrific fun!

Photographer

Mike Massaro