Matthew Capper (centre) in November 2024 with AMPAL deputy chair Karen Hamilton and retired AMPAL director Peter Hebbes (photo: Gianna Simmonson)
The Australasian Music Publishers’ Association Limited (AMPAL) today joins with the entire Australasian music publishing community in mourning the tragic and unexpected loss of AMPAL luminary Matthew Capper.
Matthew was first elected to the AMPAL board in 2004, and shortly thereafter was also voted on to the AMCOS (2005) and APRA (2007) boards. In 2013, the AMPAL board voted Matthew as Chair of AMPAL. Matthew continued on all three boards until his departure from Warner Chappell in early 2024.
Matthew also represented AMPAL on the ICMP (International Confederation of Music Publishers) board both as non-executive director and more recently as treasurer. His involvement with ICMP extended to chairing its Australasia & Asia Regional Group.
Matthew never backed away from a challenge or a job that needed to be done, as best demonstrated recently when Matthew stepped in on an interim basis to carry out the vacant roles of AMPAL general manager and company, in addition to his existing roles as AMPAL chair and managing director of Warner Chappell, all done at a time when AMPAL needed it most. Matthew’s four board positions were in addition to his 20 years at the helm of Warner Chappell Music Australia.
As had been stated many times (most recently at his farewell event in 2024), Matthew always acted with integrity and a passion for music publishing, and was someone who consistently tried to be a force for positive change.
Clive Hodson, Chair of AMPAL, adds: "Matthew and I worked very closely together at board level, me as deputy to his chair. During the almost 10 years we worked together I witnessed his passion and drive to ensure AMPAL's relevance was front and center for board members, publishers and the music industry. I will miss Matthew greatly for his friendship and dedication to his role as a former chair of AMPAL.
Our thoughts are with Matthew's family and friends at this sad time. He will be missed by many.
For more information contact AMPAL General Manager, Damian Rinaldi: damian.rinaldi@ampal.com.au