JPMS Ensemble Volante announced as winners of Musica Viva Australia's Strike a Chord 2022
Musica Viva Australia have announced JPMS Ensemble Volante as the winners of Strike A Chord 2022. Hailing from Queensland, the ensemble has been awarded the Robert Salzer First Prize, worth $5,000.
Strike A Chord is a 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.
For the first time this year twelve ensembles competed in the Grand Final live on stage at the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre.
The 2022 jury was comprised of Melbourne Recital Centre CEO, Euan Murdoch; Co-Concertmaster of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sophie Rowell; solo pianist and chamber musician, Louisa Breen; Senior Lecturer in Music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Micheál McCarthy; and Principal Flute of Orchestra Victoria, Lisa-Maree Amos.
Musica Viva Australia’s Artistic Director of Competitions Wilma Smith said, “Today’s Grand Final demonstrated what's possible when the wealth of talent amongst our young musicians is nurtured and given the chance to flourish. Congratulations to all our performers and their teachers. Accomplished and inspirational performances across the board made the jury’s job extremely difficult and signals a very bright future for Australian music. In particular, the performance from the winning ensemble, JPMS Ensemble Volante, showed a level of maturity and sophistication far beyond their years. We will be watching out for these brilliant young musicians as they go on to forge their careers.”.
The winners of the 2022 Strike A Chord Grand Final are:
FIRST PRIZE ($5,000) The Robert Salzer Prize
JPMS Ensemble Volante, QLD
SECOND PRIZE ($4,000) The Paul Morawetz Prize
Bajeshka Piano Quartet, NSW
THIRD PRIZE ($2,500) The Laura Brown Prize
Esperanza, SA
AUDIENCE PRIZE ($2,000) The Peter Druce Prize
JPMS Ensemble Volante, QLD
Other significant prizes awarded at the Grand Final were:
Australian Music Prize ($2,000)
For the best performance of an Australian work.
Esplanade Trio, VIC
Monash Chamber Music Prize
A week-long coaching residency at Monash University.
Trio Bellissimo, QLD
Flinders Quartet Mentorship Prize
A 12 month mentorship with the Flinders Quartet.
Piccolo String Quartet, NSW
Sutherland Trio Mentorship Prize
A 12 month mentorship with the Sutherland Trio.
Esplanade Trio, VIC
3MBS Prize
A live-to-air performance and interview on 3MBS.
Esplanade Trio, VIC Domi, VIC
CEO of Musica Viva Australia, Hywel Sims, said, “In such challenging times, it’s an inspiration to see the versatility, hard work and sheer talent that has gone into these outstanding performances. Musica Viva Australia offers particular thanks to the teachers, parents and all who have supported these young musicians to take on this challenge.”
Minister for Creative Industries, Steve Dimopoulos MP, said, “Congratulations to the outstanding young musicians who have stepped up and performed at such an exceptional level. Your talent, discipline and teamwork are outstanding, and we’re proud to support this competition which shines a spotlight on your achievements.”
Strike A Chord is underpinned by support from Creative Victoria, Melbourne Recital Centre, Monash University, The Robert Salzer Foundation, Tom Breen, Founding Patron of the National Development Program and the Patricia H. Reid Endowment.
For the first time this year twelve ensembles competed in the Grand Final live on stage at the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre.
The 2022 jury was comprised of Melbourne Recital Centre CEO, Euan Murdoch; Co-Concertmaster of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sophie Rowell; solo pianist and chamber musician, Louisa Breen; Senior Lecturer in Music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Micheál McCarthy; and Principal Flute of Orchestra Victoria, Lisa-Maree Amos.
Musica Viva Australia’s Artistic Director of Competitions Wilma Smith said, “Today’s Grand Final demonstrated what's possible when the wealth of talent amongst our young musicians is nurtured and given the chance to flourish. Congratulations to all our performers and their teachers. Accomplished and inspirational performances across the board made the jury’s job extremely difficult and signals a very bright future for Australian music. In particular, the performance from the winning ensemble, JPMS Ensemble Volante, showed a level of maturity and sophistication far beyond their years. We will be watching out for these brilliant young musicians as they go on to forge their careers.”.
The winners of the 2022 Strike A Chord Grand Final are:
FIRST PRIZE ($5,000) The Robert Salzer Prize
JPMS Ensemble Volante, QLD
SECOND PRIZE ($4,000) The Paul Morawetz Prize
Bajeshka Piano Quartet, NSW
THIRD PRIZE ($2,500) The Laura Brown Prize
Esperanza, SA
AUDIENCE PRIZE ($2,000) The Peter Druce Prize
JPMS Ensemble Volante, QLD
Other significant prizes awarded at the Grand Final were:
Australian Music Prize ($2,000)
For the best performance of an Australian work.
Esplanade Trio, VIC
Monash Chamber Music Prize
A week-long coaching residency at Monash University.
Trio Bellissimo, QLD
Flinders Quartet Mentorship Prize
A 12 month mentorship with the Flinders Quartet.
Piccolo String Quartet, NSW
Sutherland Trio Mentorship Prize
A 12 month mentorship with the Sutherland Trio.
Esplanade Trio, VIC
3MBS Prize
A live-to-air performance and interview on 3MBS.
Esplanade Trio, VIC Domi, VIC
CEO of Musica Viva Australia, Hywel Sims, said, “In such challenging times, it’s an inspiration to see the versatility, hard work and sheer talent that has gone into these outstanding performances. Musica Viva Australia offers particular thanks to the teachers, parents and all who have supported these young musicians to take on this challenge.”
Minister for Creative Industries, Steve Dimopoulos MP, said, “Congratulations to the outstanding young musicians who have stepped up and performed at such an exceptional level. Your talent, discipline and teamwork are outstanding, and we’re proud to support this competition which shines a spotlight on your achievements.”
Strike A Chord is underpinned by support from Creative Victoria, Melbourne Recital Centre, Monash University, The Robert Salzer Foundation, Tom Breen, Founding Patron of the National Development Program and the Patricia H. Reid Endowment.