Musica Viva Australia has announced that its Strike A Chord program has received $300,000 from the Hansen Little Foundation. The funding ensures the program’s continuation into 2026, after it failed to secure ongoing support from Creative Victoria, which had backed it between 2020–2025.

The IncrediBows at Strike a Chord Final. Photo © James Grant

“This generous donation enables us to reach beyond well-resourced schools and metro areas, to offer hands-on support, including one-on-one coaching, workshops and feedback, to school-aged students all over Australia,” said Wilma Smith, Musica Viva Australia’s Artistic Director Competitions.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that, for many participants, the experience will be life-changing.”

Strike A Chord is Musica Viva Australia’s chamber music program for school-aged children. Established in 2020, the program has seen more than 3,000 students across the country form ensembles, participate in coaching session and workshops, and compete for a prize pool that includes cash and development opportunities.

The 2026 competition offers a prize pool valued at $50,000. Applications will open on 1 May, and results will be announced in June. Applications for its Coaching Program and the Monash Strike A Chord Workshop open on 23 February.

“Music is a wonderful and joyful lifelong journey, and Strike A Chord is an initiative which nurtures participation at the earliest stages offering support and opportunities,’”said Jane Hansen, chair of the Hansen Little Foundation.

“The standard and commitment of the young musicians who participate in Strike A Chord is consistently inspiring, and I am excited to see what they achieve in 2026.”

Musica Viva Australia is one of a number of arts organisations that announced the loss of funding from Creative Victoria. Abbotsford Convent and Writers Victoria both reported a significant loss in funding, while La Mama Theatre, St Martins Youth Theatre and Theatre Works saw their four-year support cut to two years under the Creative Enterprises Program.

More about Strike a Chord can be found here.