Prizes
2026 Strike A Chord Prizes
There is a total prize pool of over $50,000 to be won amongst the Foundation and Championship Sections, throughout the competition. Prizes include cash, development opportunities and music resources.
FOUNDATION SECTION
First Prize - $400
Second Prize - $250
Third Prize - $150
Highly Commended – certificate
Courage and Commitment Award - up to $500 (by separate application). To support one or more groups/individuals who have made an extra-special effort to enter Strike A Chord in 2025. MVA acknowledges that the opportunity to make music is limited for many students for a whole range of reasons. This prize recognises and rewards groups/individual students who experience barriers to participation in music-making, including (but not limited to) students with disability, those who are LGBTQIA+, and students facing geographic or socio-economic barriers.
This prize aims to make a small but impactful difference, recognising students’ courage and dedication and supporting them to continue their musical journey.
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CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION
PRIZES AWARDED AT THE NATIONAL FINAL
First Prize - The Robert Salzer Prize
- $5,000 cash, supported by the Robert Salzer Foundation
- Invitation to attend the Australian Festival of Chamber Music Pathways Program 2027, supported by AFCM and Musica Viva Australia
- The opportunity to record a studio album with ABC Classic
Second Prize - The Paul Morawetz Prize $4,000
Third Prize - Youth Music Foundation of Australia Prize $2,500
The Craig Reynolds 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.
National Finalist Awards – For all other finalist groups not awarded 1st, 2nd, 3rd or Encouragement prizes. $500 cash per group.
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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.
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 up to four participants and one accompanying adult;
- Coaching staff and program;
- Rehearsal room;
- Closed performance opportunity at end of week
Flinders Quartet Mentorship Prize - A 12-month mentorship with Flinders Quartet, awarded by the Jury, in consultation with Flinders Quartet, to a Victorian 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 up to 8 mentorship sessions with Flinders Quartet members; two (2) additional sessions on group development, career planning and concert presentation; performance in a Flinders Quartet concert and the opportunity to observe the Flinders Quartet in rehearsal throughout the year. Prize recipients must be available on the dates offered by Flinders Quartet. If winners cannot commit to these dates, they may be required to forfeit the prize.
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.
2MBS Prize - Awarded by the Jury to the top group from New South Wales.
A pre-recorded performance at a mutually agreed time and date on 2MBS Showcase program in 2026. 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. The ensemble’s performance will be promoted on air and on social media, and will be available through the 2MBS on demand service.
3MBS Prize - Awarded by the Jury to the top group from Victoria.
A live-to-air performance and interview for the winning ensemble at a mutually agreed time and date on 3MBS’s Melbourne in Concert program (6-8pm Sunday nights) in September or October 2026. 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. The performance will 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.
5MBS Prize - Awarded by the Jury to the top group from South Australia.
A live-to-air performance and interview at a mutually agreed time and date on 5MBS. 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, with clips being used on 5MBS’s social media channels.
ArtSound FM Prize - Awarded by the Jury to the top group from the Australian Capital Territory.
A complimentary one hour recording session in the ArtSound FM Recording Room with an Audio Technician. The winning ensemble will be provided with a copy of the recording for use at their discretion.
Radio Fremantle Prize - Awarded by the Jury to the top group from Western Australia.
A live-to-air performance and interview at a mutually agreed time and date on Radio Fremantle. 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, with clips being used on Radio Fremantle’s social media channels.
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PRIZES FOR CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION GROUPS THAT DO NOT PROGRESS TO THE NATIONAL FINAL
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 lower
- Mixed Ensemble – groups not eligible for any other instrumental category
- World of Music – celebrating the rich diversity of music from cultures around the world. Groups must include at least one non-western instrument.