Symphony plays for mental health

Composer Elena Kats-Chernin and guest conductor Geoffrey Gartner helped Strathfield's symphony Orchestra raise hundreds of dollars for facilities at the Rivendell mental health facility in Concord.

Kats-Chernin donated scores and Gartner turned auctioneer to coax a large crowd into bidding for the charity sale.

Kats-Chernin, one of Australia's best known composers, played her own works while Gartner conducted Dvorak in a melodious night of music at Strathfield's town hall.