Congratulations and thank you to the 119 groups (445 students) who entered the Strike A Chord championship this year. The jurors and Strike A Chord team were all very impressed with everyone's performances and the passion for chamber music demonstrated across the board.
We would like to give a special thanks to our first-round jury, Amir Farid and Helen Ayres as well as our jury from the Novice Section Anna Pokorny and Dr. Rob McWilliams. Thanks also go to our many supporters. Visit our partners page to see the full list of those who help to make this competition possible.
Tickets for the Grand Final in Melbourne on Saturday 27 August are on sale now here. You can also tune in via the free livestream – register here. Join us and support the future of chamber music.
Without further ado, the finalists and winners are:
Congratulations to all the finalists. See them all in action at the Strike A Chord Grand Final on Saturday 27 August at the Melbourne Recital Centre. In-person tickets are now on sale here or register for a free livestream ticket here.
|
GROUP NAME |
INSTRUMENTATION |
TOWN |
|
Amazon Trio |
Clarinet, Cello, Piano |
Sydney, NSW |
|
Bajeshka Piano Quartet |
Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano |
Sydney, NSW |
|
Domi |
Flute, Oboe, Cello |
Melbourne, VIC |
|
Esperanza |
8 Voices |
Adelaide, SA |
|
Esplanade Trio |
Violin, Cello, Piano |
Melbourne, VIC |
|
Finesse Quartet |
4 x Violins |
Perth, WA |
|
The IncrediBows |
2 Violin, Viola, Cello |
Brisbane, QLD |
|
JPMS Ensemble Volante |
4 x Percussion |
Brisbane, QLD |
|
Open School Winther Quartet |
Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano |
Canberra, ACT |
|
Piccolo String Quartet |
2 Violin, Viola, Cello |
Sydney, NSW |
|
Pier String Quartet |
2 Violin, Viola, Cello |
Sydney, NSW |
|
Trio Bellissimo |
Violin, Cello, Piano |
Brisbane, QLD |
MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE REGIONAL PRIZE
Orange Regional Conservatorium Horn Trio
Orange NSW
3MBS PRIZE
Esplanade Trio
Melbourne VIC
Domi
Melbourne VIC
AMEB EMERGING ENSEMBLE ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
St. George Brass Band Junior Quartet
Sydney NSW
INNOVATION AWARD
Bluebell String Quartet +1
Canberra ACT
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC PRIZE
Esplanade Trio
Melbourne VIC
SPIRIT OF CHAMBER MUSIC PRIZE
Quartet 701
Melbourne VIC
YAMAHA WOODWIND PRIZE
Sydney Grammar School Senior Quintet
Sydney NSW
The Goossens Geese
Sydney NSW
Ensemble Fontegara
Sunshine Coast QLD
Men In Black
Melbourne VIC
Balwyn High School Senior Flute Ensemble
Melbourne VIC
YAMAHA KEYBOARD PRIZE
Staccato Piano Trio
Perth WA
Cranbrook Piano Trio
Sydney NSW
Bedriska
Melbourne VIC
MLC School 40 Fingers
Sydney NSW
Sturt St Trio
Melbourne VIC
YAMAHA BRASS PRIZE
Darwin High School Brass Quartet
Darwin NT
Orange Regional Conservatorium Wind Trio
Orange NSW
AUSTA STRING PRIZE
String Theory
Perth WA
DmiTrio
Brisbane QLD
JAYS Quartet
Melbourne VIC
The Schwammerl Quintet
Sydney NSW
PERCUSSION PRIZE
Desmosedici
Brisbane QLD
Tavullia
Brisbane QLD
JPMS Ensemble Sonore
Brisbane QLD
MIXED ENSEMBLE PRIZE
The Henley Flute Quartet
Melbourne VIC
Young Conservatorium Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Chamber Ensemble
Brisbane QLD
St Andrew’s Cathedral School Trio
Sydney NSW
JUNIOR PRIZE
Krumlov Trio
Melbourne VIC
Serenade Trio
Perth WA
Sydney Grammar School Year 9 Piano Quintet
Sydney NSW
|
GROUP NAME |
INSTRUMENTATION |
TOWN |
STATE |
|
|
YAMAHA |
Darwin High School Saxophone Trio |
Alto, Tenor, Baritone saxophone |
Darwin |
NT |
|
YAMAHA SECOND PRIZE |
Amethyst String Quartet |
2 Violin, Viola, Cello |
Rockhampton |
QLD |
|
YAMAHA THIRD PRIZE |
Pitchless Firewood |
2 Clarinets, Bassoon |
Mt Isa |
QLD |
|
HIGHLY COMMENDED |
Dollars and Cents |
3 x Alto saxophones |
Mt Isa |
QLD |
|
Resistance Quartet |
2 Violin, Viola, Cello |
Mt Isa |
QLD |
|
|
Sapphire String Quartet |
2 Violin, Viola, Cello |
Rockhampton |
QLD |
|
|
Treble Makers |
2 x Violin, Viola |
Mt Isa |
QLD |
|
|
Turquoise String Quartet |
2 Violin, Viola, Cello |
Rockhampton |
QLD |
"I’m personally thrilled with the diverse mix of wind, string, piano, percussion and vocal groups represented in our 119 entries from all across Australia, and by the incredibly high quality of the playing and singing. It’s exciting to hear these polished and enthusiastic performances from our young musicians and I think finals weekend will be a cracker.” - Wilma Smith, Artistic Director of Competitions at Musica Viva
The Strike A Chord Teachers' Conference will also return for one day at the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance, Monash University, Melbourne on Sunday 28 August. Presenters are announced and Registrations are now open. Learn more.
The Strike A Chord Teachers Conference is a one-day conference designed to provide teachers with the tools and strategies needed to build expertise in the teaching of chamber music at secondary school level.
A total prize pool worth over $40,000, comprising of cash and professional development prizes being awarded at all stages of the competition.
Meet the jurors announced for Strike A Chord's First Round and Novice Section
Traditionally, chamber music was written for a small group of musicians playing in a modest and intimate setting such as a home.
Read our guide on finding repertoire to help you choose the right piece to play and where to find sheet music.
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.
