Two enterprising North Sydney Boys High School students turned their shared love of music into a full symphony orchestra with its debut performance raising funds for a children’s music charity.

The Bokonon Orchestra was founded by Year 11 students, Tim Lin and Terrence Fan last year, and after months of rehearsals, it performed to a 200 strong crowd at Pitt Street Uniting Church on Sunday 2 August, raising almost $2,500 for the Australian Children’s Music Foundation.

Tim, who is a cellist, pianist and conducted the orchestra, was the creative director, and Terrence, a clarinet player, was director of operations, and Leon Lan played a central role as pianist. They were joined by musicians from 14 other Sydney schools.

Tim said he started the project as a way of sharing his passion.

“I only listen to classical music - maybe that was the initial spark of interest,” he said.

With guidance from professional conductors Panagiotis Karamanos and Scott Ryan, Tim and Terrence led the entire initiative including the recruitment of fellow musicians, arranging and leading rehearsals, securing a venue and preparing the musical program.

“We kept learning, fixing things each week and improving until it culminated in the concert,” Tim said.

The concert raised funds for the Australian Children’s Music Foundation, which provides long-term music programs and free instruments to children who might otherwise miss out on music education.

Tim said this community service was reflected in the music program which featured Tchaikovsky’s Slavonic March composed for a charity concert in Moscow in 1876.