Strike A Chord
2025 Strike A Chord Results Are In
A huge congratulations to every student who took part in Strike A Chord 2025. With a record number of entries, this year’s competition showed just how alive chamber music is in schools across Australia. From polished performances to brave first submissions, they have shown us exactly what’s possible when creativity meets commitment.
A special thank you to this year’s Jury for the care and insight they brought to every decision.
Below are the full results from this year’s competition, including Foundation Section prize-winners, First Round Prize recipients, and the 12 Championship Section Finalists heading to the National Final.
Congratulations to our Finalists
Twelve ensembles have been selected to perform live at the 2025 National Final on Saturday 30 August at Melbourne Recital Centre. Congratulations to:
- 4 Bartolomey (NSW)
- Amaryllis Trio (VIC)
- ATC Trio (QLD)
- Hale Bravura String Quartet (WA)
- Ignite Trio (ACT)
- Imber Trio (SA)
- The IncrediBows (QLD)
- Kingussie Trio (VIC)
- LeBrahm Trio (NSW)
- LED Trio (VIC)
- Quartet Alla Zingarese (QLD)
- Roystead Trio (VIC)
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Prize Winners
Foundation Section
First Prize — Wollongong Conservatorium Junior String Quartet (Wollongong, NSW)Second Prize — JPMS Jammers (Brisbane, QLD)
Third Prize — FanTAStic Four (Cairns, QLD)
Strike A Chord Award for Courage & Commitment
- Moira Glen – MECtet / Rosin Renegades (Maryborough, VIC)
- Luke Swindale – FanTAStic Four (Cairns, QLD)
Highly Commended
- Chevallum State School Recorder Ensemble (Sunshine Coast, QLD)
- Dynamite (Melbourne, VIC)
- Glendalough Year 5 Violin Quintet (Melbourne, VIC)
- LMV Two Violin and Piano Trio (Sydney, NSW)
- MECtet (Maryborough, VIC)
- Middle Trio (Hobart, TAS)
- Mozart Quartet (Sydney, NSW)
- Quartet Inferno (Springfield, QLD)
- Snow Gum Strings (Mansfield, VIC)
- Topaz Beta Chamber Group (Rockhampton, QLD)
- Violins vs Violas (Mt Isa, QLD)
- WAYACHAMP Junior String Quartet (Perth, WA)
Championship Section — First Round Prizes
AMEB Emerging Ensemble Encouragement Award — Horizon String Quartet (Coffs Harbour, NSW), The Cathedral School Trio (Townsville, QLD)
Innovation Award — Ngutu Ipila Kumangka (SA)
Spirit of Chamber Music Prize — The Vths (NSW)
Instrumentation & Ensemble Prizes
• Woodwind
– The Doppler Effect (QLD)
– Fort Street High School Recorder Quartet (NSW)
– MHS Oboe Trio (VIC)
– Seymour College Saxophone Quartet (SA)
– Sydney Grammar School Double Reed Trio (NSW)
• Brass
– St George Brass Band Junior Quartet (NSW)
– Kingsland Brass Quintet (ACT)
• Percussion
– JPMS Ensemble Sonore (QLD)
– JPMS Trio Cantabile (QLD)
– Sydney Grammar School Marimba Quartet (NSW)
• Strings (AUSTA Prize)
– The Alpha Quartet (NSW)
– WolfGang (QLD)
– Wattleseed Quartet (VIC)
– Pembroke Middle School String Quartet (SA)
– Marryatville High School Baroque Ensemble (SA)
• Keyboard
– Bartok Quartet (NSW)
– DJO Vivo (NSW)
– Conisa Piano Trio (QLD)
– Coventry Trio (VIC)
• Vocal
– Ensemble Arcadia (QLD)
• Mixed Ensemble
– SACS Piano Trio Kapustin (NSW)
– Trio Arcelo (NSW)
– Trapeze Quintet (VIC)
– Reverie Trio (WA)
• World Instruments
– Do Re Mi Harmonica Trio (VIC)
– Ngutu Ipila Kumangka (SA)
• Junior
– The Piccolos (NSW)
– SAS Trio (QLD)
– Opal Quartet (VIC)
– Kingsland Piano Trio (ACT)
2025 KEY DATES
30 August: Championship Section – National Final, Melbourne Recital Centre
Prizes
There is a total prize pool of over $50,000 to be own amongst the Foundation and Championship Sections. Prizes include cash, development opportunities and music resources.
Meet our jury
Masters of their craft and deeply connected within the industry, our hand-picked jury bring a wealth of insight and experience to the competition – meet our jury for 2025.
Foundation Section
The Foundation Section is for groups in which all members are AMEB Grade 4 level (or equivalent) or below. Entry is free and all groups will receive a certificate and written feedback from the judging panel
Championship Section
The Strike A Chord Championship Section is open to groups approximately AMEB Grade 5 and above (or equivalent). Entry is $10 per player and all groups will receive a certificate and written feedback from the judging panel.
tips for recording your entry videos
Recording your Strike A Chord entry doesn’t need to be stressful – or fancy. What matters most is how you play together, listen, and communicate as a group. Read our recording tips and start planning your entry.
FAQ
Can we arrange our own music? How old do the students need to be to enter? How do we pick repertoire? Find out more in our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Resources
FAQs, how to guides, rules and regulations, downloadable poster, and past winners.
Partners:
Strike A Chord would like to thank our many supporters. Visit our partners page to see the full list of those who help to make this competition possible.
Strike a Chord
