Musica Viva Australia has unveiled the finalists and prize winners for the 2025 Strike A Chord competition, the national chamber music contest for secondary school students. Now in its fifth year, the program continues to grow, drawing a record 170 ensemble entries from across the country.

Twelve groups have been named Championship Section finalists and will perform in the National Final at Melbourne Recital Centre on 30 August 2025.

Thes are 4 Bartolomey (NSW); Amaryllis Piano Trio (VIC); ATC Trio (QLD); Hale Bravura String Quartet (WA); Ignite Trio (ACT); Imber Trio (SA); The IncrediBows (QLD); Kingussie Trio (VIC); LeBrahm Trio (NSW); LED Trio (VIC); Quartet Alla Zingarese (QLD), and Roystead Trio (VIC).

The Foundation Section – designed for less experienced players up to AMEB Grade 4 – was also highly competitive.

Do Re Mi Harmonica Trio VIC, winners of World Instruments Prize. Photo © Matthew Chen

Judges Katie Yap (violin) and Matthew Kneale (bassoon) awarded first prize in this category to the Wollongong Conservatorium Junior String Quartet (NSW), with second and third prizes awarded to the JPMS Jammers (QLD) and FanTAStic Four (QLD) respectively.

In total, 675 young musicians participated...