Prizes

2025 Strike A Chord Prizes

FOUNDATION SECTION 

First Prize - $400  

Second Prize - $250  

Third Prize - $150  

Highly Commended – certificate 

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PRIZES AWARDED AT THE NATIONAL FINAL 

First Prize - The Robert Salzer Prize $5,000 

Second Prize - The Paul Morawetz Prize $4,000 

Third Prize - Youth Music Foundation of Australia Prize $2,500 

Encouragement Award -  $1,500. Awarded to a finalist group that doesn’t receive a major cash prize but displays outstanding potential through qualities such as enthusiasm, conviction, musicality, stage presence, and interpretation.  

The MacLeod Finalist Awards – For finalist groups that do not receive one of the major cash prizes. $500 cash per group.  

Monash Chamber Music Prize -
For an ensemble (trio or quartet) that the adjudicators believe would most benefit from a week-long coaching residency at the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance, Monash University (dates to be discussed and agreed upon with all parties).  

• Travel & accommodation for four participants and one accompanying adult; 
• Coaching staff and program; 
• Rehearsal room; 
• Closed performance opportunity at end of week  

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PRIZES AWARDED AT ANY STAGE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION

Australian Music Prize - Awarded for the best performance of an Australian work, which may include student compositions. $2,000 cash.  

Flinders Quartet Mentorship Prize - A 12-month mentorship with the Flinders Quartet, awarded by the Jury in consultation with Flinders Quartet to a Melbourne-based string quartet that shows commitment and potential to take their ensemble to the next level. Note: If there is no suitable string quartet, other ensemble combinations will be considered.   

The prize includes 10 mentorship sessions with Flinders Quartet members; 2 sessions on group development, career planning and concert presentation; performance in a Flinders Quartet subscription concert; and the opportunity to observe the Flinders Quartet in rehearsal throughout the year.   

Firebird Trio Mentorship Prize - Awarded to a group of any instrumentation (must include piano) that shows commitment and potential to take their ensemble to the next level. 

The prize includes up to 8 hours of coaching (in person or online) over a 12 month period, and a collaborative performance with Firebird Trio if circumstances allow. Travel to Melbourne may be subsidised where required. 

3MBS Prize - Awarded by the Jury to the top group from  Victoria.  

A live-to-air performance and interview on 3MBS for the winning ensemble at a mutually agreed time and date on 3MBS’s Melbourne in Concert program in September 2025. Audio and video of the performance will be recorded, and the winning ensemble will be provided with a copy of both for use at their discretion.  

4MBS Prize - Awarded by the Jury to the top group from Queensland.  

A performance in the annual 4MBS Summer School, to be recorded for broadcast and filmed and a copy provided to the ensemble. The ensemble’s performance will be promoted on air and on social media, and will be available through 4MBS PLUS – the 4MBS on demand service. 

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PRIZES FOR CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION GROUPS THAT DO NOT PROGRESS TO THE NATIONAL FINAL 

AMEB Emerging Ensemble Encouragement Award - For a group that shows a need for additional resources. $1000 cash.

Innovation Award - For the ensemble who throws the most interesting light on what chamber music can be – an award for enthusiasm and imagination, in personnel, repertoire or presentation. $500 cash. 

The Spirit of Chamber Music Prize -
Generously provided by Elizabeth Sellars, in memory of John and Lesley Sellars. For a group who the jury feels in some way touches upon the essential character and/or spirituality of a work. $200 cash. 

 

At the discretion of the Artistic Director, one or more prizes may be awarded in each of the following categories. Each prize $200 cash:   

• Woodwind - groups that include at least 50% woodwind instruments 
• Brass - groups that include at least 50% brass instruments 
• Percussion - groups that include at least 50% percussion instruments 
• String - groups that include at least 50% string instruments (sponsored by AUSTA - the Australian Strings Association) 
• Vocal - groups that include at least one vocalist 
• Keyboard - groups that include at least one keyboard instrument  
• Junior - groups in which all players are in school grade 7 or under 
• Mixed Ensemble – groups not eligible for any other instrumental category 
• World Instruments – groups that include at least one non-western instrument