Musica Viva Australia has announced the winners of its 2022 Strike A Chord competition, a national chamber music competition for secondary school ensembles. Taking both first place and the audience prize was Queensland-based percussion group JPMS Ensemble Volante, featuring musicians from Brisbane State High, Mansfield State High and Sunnybank Hills State School. The Bajeshka Piano Quartet from NSW was awarded second place, and SA-based vocal ensemble Esperanza came third.

JPMS Ensemble Volante, winners of Musica Viva Australia’s 2022 Strike a Chord competition. Image courtesy of Musica Viva Australia

Conceived in 2020 as an educational opportunity for Australia’s next generation of classical musicians, the competition has provided financial and development support to numerous ensembles, including past winners Amogus Trio and The Cousin Quartet. The 12 finalists were selected from 119 entrants from across Australia, representing a variety of different musical ensembles. In addition to cash prizes, performers compete for professional development opportunities with Monash University, the Flinders Quartet and the Sutherland Trio.

The 2022 jury comprised a panel of esteemed Australian musicians and educators, including Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Co-Concertmaster Sophie Rowell, pianist Louisa Breen, Senior Lecturer in Music...