Fritzi Trio Wins Musica Viva Australia's Strike a 2024 Chord Competition

The group, who have been crowned the best high school chamber music ensemble in Australia, receive a cash prize of $5,000

Facilitated by Musica Viva Australia, the Strike a Chord Competition is Australia's national chamber music competition for high school students. Each year, twelve chamber music ensembles of between three and eight players proceed to the Grand Final, where they compete for cash prizes and professional development opportunities.

In 2024, the Robert Salzer Prize (first place) of $5,000 went to the Fritzi Trio. The group comprises two young players from New South Wales and one from Victoria.

Second Prize ($4,000) went to Take Six of Queensland, while Third Prize ($2,500) went to the JPMS Ensemble Animato, also of Queensland. Further prizes for mentorship and development went to the Marryatville High School Baroque Ensemble, the Comet Quartet, the Lumina Quartet, the Timli Trio, the Aneres Trio, and the Kingussie Trio.

The 2024 jury comprised Wilma Smith (chair), Howard Penny, Vatche Jambazian, Tim White OAM, and Caroline Henbest.

"The quality of these young artists is truly amazing," said Wilma Smith, who is also Musica Viva's Artistic Director of Competitions. "Chamber music has always been a great joy of my career and it's heartwarming and exhilarating to see a new generation discover that joy."

"The future is bright in the hands of these wonderful musicians, and I have no doubt that many of them will grace our professional stages in years to come."