Strike A Chord 2026 - Winners & Finalists

MUSICA VIVA AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES 2026 STRIKE A CHORD CHAMPIONSHIP FINALISTS, FIRST ROUND WINNERS AND FOUNDATION PRIZE WINNERS

Musica Viva Australia is thrilled to announce the finalists and prize winners of Strike A Chord 2026, Australia’s national chamber music competition for school-aged students, now in its sixth year.  

Strike A Chord’s 12 Championship finalists for 2026 are ATC Trio (QLD), The Celeste Quartet (SA), CHROMOS Trio (WA), ELIJA Quartet (QLD), JPMS Ensemble Sonore (QLD), Kingsland Piano Trio (ACT), Kingussie Trio (VIC), LED Trio (VIC), Nightingale Trio (VIC), Quartet Avenoir (TAS/QLD/NSW/VIC), Quatuor Fabriqués (VIC), and Vanta Quartet (NSW).

Wilma Smith, Jury Chair and Musica Viva Australia Artistic Director of Competitions said, ‘The quality of the Strike A Chord entries never fails to bowl me over. Congratulations to all the groups and heartfelt thanks to the villages that enable each of these young musicians to flourish.’

The finalists include three returning finalist groups, ATC Trio (QLD, 2025 Third Prize), Kingussie Trio (VIC, 2024 Finalists and 2025 Second Prize), and LED Trio (VIC, 2025 Finalists and Firebird Trio Mentorship & 3MBS Prize); as well as the competition’s first Tasmanian finalist, Samuel Hooper (Violin, Quartet Avenoir).

The 12 Championship finalists will perform live at the National Final at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Saturday 29 August 2026 at 2pm.

The Foundation Section prize winners include Banksia Quartet (Mansfield, VIC) – First Prize; Brisbane Boys’ College Clarinet Ensemble (Brisbane, QLD) – Second Prize; Kingsland Strings Epic Trio (Canberra, ACT) – Third Prize. 

The Strike A Chord Award for Courage, Commitment and Innovation was split between four worthy recipients: Austin and Ky Baker, Illusive Harmony, Molly Foot-Schmager, and Yuri Chaseling.

About Strike A Chord

Established in 2020, Strike A Chord is Australia’s national chamber music competition for school-aged students. It has grown year on year; in 2026, 170 groups entered from across the country. Regional and rural Australia representation has continued to diversify, including entries from Bundaberg and Cairns (QLD), Orange and Coffs Harbour (NSW), and Mansfield and Rhyll/Phillip Island (VIC). The competition attracted a wide range of ensembles from string quartets and piano trios, percussion groups and woodwind ensembles to vocal ensembles, brass quintets and a guzheng trio. 

Strike A Chord is a crucial part of Musica Viva Australia’s mission to create memorable musical experiences for audiences at every stage of life and for musicians at every stage of development. The program, led by Artistic Director of Competitions Wilma Smith, aims to foster a love of chamber music for young musicians all over Australia, allowing them the opportunity to work collaboratively and receive coaching from professional chamber musicians. It also highlights and celebrates the fun of playing in small ensembles, which in turn gives young musicians the motivation to continue with their studies.  

Musica Viva Australia CEO Anne Frankenberg said, ‘It’s been brilliant to witness such enthusiastic participation from schools across the country this year. With 170 ensemble entries (683 young musicians) taking on this unique musical challenge, it’s clear that Strike A Chord has earned an important place in Australia’s music education ecosystem. We are hugely grateful to the Hansen Little Foundation for ensuring we could deliver it in 2026.’

For more information, including National Final tickets and Livestream registrations, please visit https://www.musicaviva.com.au/strike-a-chord/

CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION FINALISTS

Jury Chair: Wilma Smith (VIC), First Round Jurors: Edward Neeman (ACT), Francesca Hiew (VIC), Mark Bain (TAS), Nicholas Russoniello (NSW), Dr Nicole Canham (VIC), Patrick Murphy (QLD), Sonia Croucher (WA), Sulki Yu (VIC)

Congratulations to the twelve ensembles who have been selected as our 2026 Finalists. They’ll perform live at Melbourne Recital Centre on 29 August for a national audience and judging panel.

ATC Trio (QLD)
The Celeste Quartet (SA)
CHROMOS Trio (WAAPA) (WA)
ELIJA Quartet (QLD)
JPMS Ensemble Sonore (QLD)
Kingsland Piano Trio (ACT)
Kingussie Trio (VIC)
LED Trio (VIC)
Nightingale Trio (VIC)
Quartet Avenoir (TAS/QLD/NSW/VIC)
Quatuor Fabriqués (VIC)
Vanta Quartet (NSW)

Book your tickets or register for our live stream via the link below

FOUNDATION SECTION PRIZE WINNERS

First Prize Banksia Quartet (VIC)

Second Prize Brisbane Boys’ College Clarinet Ensemble (QLD)

Third Prize Kingsland Strings Epic Trio (ACT)

Courage, Commitment and Innovation Award
Austin and Ky Baker (NSW)
Illusive Harmony (QLD)
Molly Foot-Schmager (VIC)
Yuri Chaseling (VIC)

Highly Commended
C.A.T.S. Quartet (VIC)
CREW (WA)
Illusive Harmony (QLD)
Iolite String Quartet (QLD)
JPMS Jammers (QLD)
LMV Woodwind Quartet (NSW)
Meriden Flute Trio (NSW)
Newhaven College String Quartet (VIC)
Rosin Renegades (VIC)
Rubellite Beta Chamber Group (QLD)
String Theory (SA)
Treble Makers (VIC)