2024 National Finalists
The Fritzi Trio (VIC/ NSW). Photo by Lucien Fischer
Aneres Piano Trio (VIC) Photo by Lucien Fischer
The Frosty Shosty (NSW) Photo by Lucien Fischer
Kingussie Trio (VIC) Photo by Lucien Fischer
Lumina Quartet (NSW) Photo by Lucien Fischer
Marryatville High School Baroque Ensemble (SA) Photo by Lucien Fischer
Syncopact (ACT) Photo by Lucien Fischer
Take Six (QLD) Photo by Lucien Fischer
Timli Trio (QLD) Photo by Lucien Fischer
Trio Fantastique (WA) Photo by Lucien Fischer
JPMS Ensemble Animato (QLD) Photo by Lucien Fischer
The Astra Octet (NSW) Photo by Lucien Fischer
2024 Strike A Chord A National Final
Twelve outstanding groups from across Australia performed live in the 2024 Strike A Chord National Final at Melbourne Recital Centre on 31 August 2024. Held in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, the National Final gathered an in-person audience of 333 and was livestreamed nationally by CVP and recorded by ABC Classic before later being broadcast to listeners around the country.
The National Final jury was led by Wilma Smith, Artistic Director of Competitions, Musica Viva Australia, who was joined by Howard Penny, Vatche Jambazian, Tim White OAM and Caroline Henbest.
Some performances are available here as short excerpts. To view full performances for educational purposes, please contact us at strikeachord@musicaviva.com.au
The Fritzi Trio (NSW/VIC)
First Prize – The Robert Salzer Prize
Violinist Hannah Tyrrell, cellist Jamie Wallace and pianist Vincent Zhu met at the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp in 2023 and have been rehearsing across states ever since. Their performance at the 2024 National Final was noted for its intensity, clarity and shared musical purpose.
Performed: Smetana – Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15, III Finale. Presto
Take Six (QLD)
Second Prize – The Paul Morawetz Prize
Take Six brings together young musicians from the University of Queensland’s Chamber Music Academy. Their performance of Tchaikovsky combined precision and expressive energy, earning them Second Prize.
Performed: Tchaikovsky – String Sextet in D minor, Op. 70 “Souvenir de Florence”, IV Allegro vivace
JPMS Ensemble Animato (QLD)
Video coming soon
Third Prize
Friends from J Percussion Music School, the ensemble performed the Australian premiere of Emmanuel Séjourné’s Attraction 2, drawing audiences into its colourful sound world.
Performed: Emmanuel Séjourné – Attraction 2 (2007)
Marryatville High School Baroque Ensemble (SA)
Video coming soon
Craig Reynolds Encouragement Prize
Founded in 2009, the ensemble has a strong Baroque program and returned in 2024 with a performance of Avison after Scarlatti.
Performed: Avison – Concerto V in D minor, I Largo, II Allegro, III Andante Moderato, IV Allegro
Lumina Quartet (NSW)
Video coming soon
Finalist and Flinders Quartet Mentorship Prize
Scholarship students from the Sydney Conservatorium’s Rising Stars program, bringing depth and refinement to Brahms' String Quartet in C minor.
Performed: Brahms – String Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 51 No. 1, I Allegro
Timli Trio (QLD)
Video coming soon
Firebird Trio Mentorship Prize
Part of the University of Queensland’s Chamber Music Academy, with awards across Queensland competitions.
Performed: Smetana – Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15, I Moderato assai – Più animato
Aneres Piano Trio (VIC)
Video coming soon
Finalist
Formed at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, the trio has won multiple chamber music awards and regularly performs across Melbourne.
Performed: Mendelssohn – Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49, II Andante con moto tranquillo, III Scherzo. Leggiero e vivace
Syncopact (ACT)
Video coming soon
Finalist
A percussion ensemble from the ANU Community Music Centre Chamber Ensembles program.
Performed: John Ling – Amidst (2015)
Kingussie Trio (VIC)
Video coming soon
Finalist
Three AMEB diplomates from Camberwell Grammar School who have received awards at major Victorian competitions.
Performed: Smetana – Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15, I Moderato assai – Più animato
The Frosty Shosty Quartet (NSW)
Video coming soon
Finalist
Four friends from Sydney united by their enthusiasm for Shostakovich, giving a compelling performance of his String Quartet No. 8.
Performed: Shostakovich – String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110, I Largo, II Allegro molto
Trio Fantastique (WA)
Video coming soon
Finalist
A longstanding trio with international experience, including a recent performance at Carnegie Hall.
Performed: Frank Bridge – Piano Trio Miniatures, Set II, IV Romance and VI Saltarello
The Astra Octet (NSW)
Video coming soon
Finalist
Bringing together eight accomplished young string players from several Sydney schools, The Astra Octet formed especially for Strike A Chord and quickly developed a unified sound shaped by their shared orchestral and chamber experience.
Performed: Bruch – String Octet in B-flat major, I Allegro moderato