Kingussie Trio from Victoria has won Musica Viva Australia’s Strike A Chord for 2026.
The prizes include the Robert Salzer First Prize of $5,000, along with an invitation to attend the Australian Festival of Chamber Music Pathways Program 2027, supported by AFCM and Musica Viva Australia, as well as an opportunity to record a studio album with ABC Classic.
Quartet Avenoir represented by musicians from four states was awarded second prize and ATC Trio also from Victoria were placed third.
Strike A Chord is Australia’s national competition for school aged chamber groups. Established in 2020, it aims to foster a love of chamber music amongst young people and provide an opportunity for students to develop their performance skills and discover the joy of making music with friends.
The Kingussie Trio marks its 2026 win following success at the Strike A Chord National as finalists in 2024 and second place winners in 2025. Comprising three music scholars from Camberwell Grammar School, the trio comprising pianist Dillon Chan, violinist David Chon and cellist Gabriel Liu, has achieved notable success at Victorian Eisteddfods.
Musica Viva Australia’s Artistic Director of Competitions, Wilma Smith, led the distinguished panel of performers and academics which included Dr Aura Go, cellist Rohan de Korte, percussionist Brent Miller and violist Fiona Sargeant.
