Matt Handbury plays Mozart for The Grange
20 November 2008
Successful Australian publisher Matt Handbury has reconnected with a passion of his youth – music - and will entertain the audience with a guest performance at the Orchestra Victoria concert in Hamilton next month.
Matt is the Sydney-based son of Hamilton 
philanthropist Geoff Handbury, who is delighted clarinettist son Matt has agreed to play with the String Chamber Ensemble as part of its special concert to raise funds for The Grange.
The Ensemble from Orchestra Victoria is looking forward to the opportunity to play Baroque music in Hamilton’s Uniting Church on December 2, where the soaring ceilings ensure the acoustics will be outstanding.
The concert is being held to raise funds for The Grange, the Western District Health Service residential aged care facility, which requires a $2.5 million redevelopment to improve facilities and increase the number of aged care beds for our community.
WDHS Chief Executive Officer Jim Fletcher said the Health Service acknowledged the generosity of Geoff Handbury and Orchestra Victoria, to bring the concert to Hamilton and assist the Grange Capital Campaign.
“The Grange is an important asset to our community, and the redevelopment project will ensure the best care we can provide for our elderly, and those people who attend this concert will help that cause and be assured of a wonderful evening,” Mr Fletcher said.
Matt Handbury will play several movements on clarinet from Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet, repeating a performance earlier this year at his Sydney home, Bronte House, where he played to an audience with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
He played clarinet and guitar when he was younger, he said, and has recently reignited this interest, taking lessons and practicing up to one hour each day.
“Playing to an audience is quite daunting, but having performed with Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, I won’t be quite so wired up this time,” he said.
The String Chamber Ensemble will present a varied programs featuring OV’s Section Principal Flute Lisa-Maree Amos performing Vivaldi’s playful Flute Concerto in D Major, the Goldfinch, and the hauntingly beautiful Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Orfeo.
Wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres will be served preceding the concert, along with some surprise musical ensembles which will delight the crowd. After the concert there will be a chance to meet the musicians.
Tickets are $50 and available from Hamilton Base Hospital reception or on 5551 8540.
CAPTION: Sydney businessman Matt Handbury, son of Hamilton philanthropist Geoff Handbury, will play a little bit of Mozart with Orchestra Victoria’s String Ensemble in Hamilton on December 2.