Amogus Trio Wins Music Viva’s Strike A Chord 2021

Musica Viva Australia announce the Amogus Trio as the winners of Strike A Chord 2021. The Queensland ensemble has been awarded the Robert Salzer Prize, worth $5,000 in this national chamber music championship for secondary school ensembles.

The competition was created to encourage the next generation of Australian musicians to experience the life-changing possibilities of chamber music, giving students the opportunity to explore their potential and discover the joy of making music with friends.

This year’s competition was presented online to ensure all ensembles across Australia were able to compete amid border closures and travel restrictions. Twelve ensembles competed in the grand final, with ensembles performing live in their home states where restrictions allowed.

The 2021 jury comprised Melbourne Recital Centre CEO, Euan Murdoch; Professor in Violin and Head of Strings at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Michele Walsh; Ensemble Offspring’s Claire Edwardes; mezzo-soprano Dimity Shepherd; and pianist and composer Ian Munro.

Here is the full list of winners:  
FIRST PRIZE ($5,000) The Robert Salzer Prize Amogus Trio, QLD

SECOND PRIZE ($4,000) The Paul Morawetz Prize JPMS Ensemble Spirito, QLD

THIRD PRIZE ($2,500) The Laura Brown Prize False Relations, NSW

AUDIENCE PRIZE ($2,000) The Peter Druce Prize JPMS Ensemble Spirito, QLD

Also presented at the final was the Gandel Australian Music Prize, awarded to False Relations from Sydney, for the best performance of an Australian work. This prize recognises the importance of supporting Australian composition.

More than one hundred ensembles across Australia entered Strike A Chord in 2021, with 15 groups competing in the new Yamaha Novice Section, open to groups whose members are playing at a maximum of AMEB Grade 4 level (or equivalent).