SaundersKeithphoto: COUSIN QUARTET Winners of the Robert Salzer Prize 2020; champions of the inaugural Strike A Chord
Twelve accomplished Finalist groups from all over Australia will perform live, where restrictions allow, for our expert jury of five of Australia’s finest chamber musicians and an audience of passionate chamber music lovers.
I know I speak for all of my incredibly hardworking, motivated colleagues in the Musica Viva Australia Strike A Chord team when I say that you are why we do what we do. Wilma Smith, Artistic Director Strike A Chord
It takes a village to bring each of these 100+ performances to life and I’m very grateful to all the dedicated parents, teachers and administrators who make music lessons happen, who help put groups together and who guide the musicians as they choose a piece to play and get to grips with honing their ensemble skills. But most of all, I congratulate the hundreds of young musicians who gave their time and energy to this noble pursuit so close to my heart. I’m sure that these early experiences will nurture a love of making and listening to chamber music for the rest of your lives.
I can’t wait to soak up a day of inspiring music-making by our fantastic young musicians countrywide. Once again, with over a hundred ensembles entering Strike A Chord this year, we can expect an absolute aural treat from those selected to perform in the Final. The standard overall was again extremely high and our distinguished First Round jurors, Elyane Laussade and Blair Harris, carried out their very difficult task with thoughtful care. They have already awarded special prizes to groups who did particularly well in their specific categories in the First Round but did not progress to the Final. All groups who participated received feedback from the judges and a certificate to celebrate their participation. That underscores the guiding principle behind Strike A Chord – to encourage young musicians of any level to experience the challenge and the joy of playing chamber music with others. This year, we introduced a new Novice category for groups whose members haven’t been playing their instruments for long and fifteen intrepid groups seized the opportunity. Chamber music is indeed for everyone at any stage of their musical journey!
3 ] WELCOME 5 ] GRAND FINAL SCHEDULE 2021 7 ] THE CHAMPIONSHIP 8 ] THE JURY 10 ] THE PRIZES 12 ] ♦ JPMS ENSEMBLE SPIRITO ♦ JAMES CAMPBELL STRING QUARTET 13 ] ♦ BARTHOLDY TRIO ♦ FOUR STRINGS 14 ] ♦ TRIO FINIFUGAL ♦ PICCOLO STRING QUARTET 15 ] ♦ SHELL-SHOCKED PERCUSSION QUARTET ♦ PIRULÍ STRING QUARTET 16 ] ♦ FALSE RELATIONS ♦ AMOGUS TRIO 17 ] ♦ THE CANBERRA REDS ♦ VDUB 20 ] ALL ENTRIES 2020 21 ] FIRST ROUND PRIZES 23 ] NOVICE SECTION 23 ] ABOUT MUSIVA VIVA 24 ] BEQUEST 25 ] PARTNERS + DONORS 24 ] COACHING PROGRAM 25 ] ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 3
It is my great pleasure and privilege to welcome you to the 2021 Finals of Strike A Chord, Musica Viva’s National Chamber Music Championship.
Strike A Chord was launched in 2020 - a year in which so much performance activity was not possible. To be able to celebrate the energy, enthusiasm and versatility of so many young musicians was truly a bright spot in dark times. We would not have been able to realise Wilma Smith’s compelling vision for a competition that would engage students around Australia with the joy of making chamber music if it were not for the support of Creative Victoria, and we have valued their flexibility and counsel. This initiative has also brought together organisations and individuals who have shared Wilma’s vision and helped us to bring it to reality, and I thank them all. I acknowledge in particular our Strategic Partners, the Melbourne Recital Centre and Australian National Academy of Music, the visionary multiyear investment of Tom Breen which has made the national coaching program possible, and the generous support of Gandel Philanthropy, Yamaha Australia, the Robert Salzer Foundation, Marjorie Nicholas OAM and the Mercer Family Foundation.
Strike A Chord, like its internationally-recognised relative, the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition, is a Victorian-based program with a much wider reach. This year finalists come together virtually from all over Australia to compete in the livestreamed final, and the Victorian Government is proud to support it.
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Finally, I acknowledge the work of the Musica Viva Australia team, who launched Strike A Chord last year against the odds, and continue to evolve it as needed. Strike A Chord exemplifies Musica Viva’s commitment to excellence, and is an ideal example of our determination to nurture the musical development of young Australians. Hywel Sims, CEO Musica Viva Australia
Welcome to the second iteration of Strike A Chord, the national chamber music competition that shines a spotlight on the most outstanding secondary school musicians, and celebrates the achievements of students at all stages of their musical journeys.
I congratulate each and every one of the more than 400 young musicians, and their teachers, who have come through the bumpy ride of this past 18 months to take on the challenge and reward of making music together. Thank you for persevering, and for sharing your talents.
Danny Pearson MP, Minister for Creative Industries, Victoria
I applaud the work that the Musica Viva Australia team, and their many collaborators, have done to ensure that the reach of this initiative is as wide as possible, and to be prepared to deliver it’s flexibly as needed. It’s particularly pleasing to see that the new Yamaha Novice Section, designed to encourage musicians in the early stages of their learning journey, has engaged so many regional students, from Mt Isa to Nhill.
1JPMSENSEMBLESPIRITO[QLD] [QLD]SHELL-SHOCKEDPERCUSSIONQUARTET7 2JAMESCAMPBELLSTRINGQUARTET[VIC] [SA]SPIRULÍSTRINGQUARTET8 3BARTHOLDYTRIO[NSW] [NSW]FALSERELATIONS9 4FOURSTRINGS[WA] [QLD]AMOGUSTRIO10 5TRIOFINIFUGAL[VIC] [ACT]THECANBERRAREDS11 6PICCOLOSTRINGQUARTET[NSW] [VIC]VDUB12 SUN 15 AUG 2021 LIVESTREAM from Brisbane > Melbourne > Sydney > Perth > Adelaide > Canberra 1 — 5PM 5
Strike A Chord is an initiative developed by Musica Viva Australia for its 75th anniversary in 2020, with critical funding from Creative Victoria, and is presented in partnership with Melbourne Recital Centre and the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), and supported by a generous and collaborative group of organisations and supporters.
[ THE CHAMPIONSHIP
The brainchild of Musica Viva’s Artistic Director of Competitions, Wilma Smith, Strike A Chord was created to encourage the next generation of Australian musicians to experience the lifechanging possibilities of chamber music, giving students the opportunity to explore their potential and discover the joy in making music with friends, whatever their level of ability. Although the inaugural two years of Strike A Chord have not been what we’d originally planned, logistically speaking, the spirit of the music-making has shone through each and every entry received. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown challenge after challenge to our prospective participants and our management team with lockdowns, cancellation of school co-curricular programs, border closures, and restrictions on the number of people permitted to gather. In light of this we have again transitioned to a virtual event in 2021, repeating the model that was devised in 2020 to meet the challenges that COVID-19 presented. The Strike A Chord Teachers’ Conference is designed to build capacity in the teaching of chamber music at secondary school level. Comprising panel discussions, interactive online workshops and open coaching sessions presented by 13 prominent musicians and teachers, the 2021 conference welcomes teachers at all career stages working with a wide range of students. This event is again fully online this year, happily increasing its easy accessibility to music teachers from metropolitan and regional areas all over Australia. We hope that the seeds planted in the inaugural two years of Strike A Chord will take root, and help to create a connected community of people who are passionate about introducing the joy and challenge of chamber music to each new generation of young musicians.
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Please note that all jurors have openly declared any teaching, tutoring or other involvement with finalist groups, and as such all groups will be judged impartially on the basis of their performance on the day.
[ THE JURY 8
GRAND FINAL [ CLAIRE EDWARDES
From the set of Play School to the Sydney Opera House, Claire Edwardes is ‘the wonder woman of percussion’ (Seesaw Magazine).
FIRST ROUND [ BLAIR HARRIS Blair is a highly regarded solo cellist and chamber musician. He is a member of Southern Cross Soloists and Ensemble Offspring making his chamber music profile diverse with a national reach. Blair also holds a position at the Faculty of Music, Monash University as a lecturer in cello performance. Blair has worked with numerous chamber ensembles including the Australian String Quartet, Streeton Trio and Syzygy Ensemble. He has appeared as guest principal cello in both the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Blair plays a fine cello crafted by V.Gagliano, Naples, 1859.
ELYANE LAUSSADE A graduate of the Juilliard School in New York City, pianist Elyane Laussade has delighted audiences with her imaginative and strongly individual playing. She has performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and has been featured by ABC Classic FM and 3MBS in recordings and live broadcasts. As a soloist, Elyane has performed in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore, China, Japan, South Africa, the USA and Europe. Elyane’s most recent endeavour is the Mozart Project which will see her perform all 27 Mozart piano concertos with orchestras around Australia, in addition to a special series of intimate recitals at the Laussade Studio in Melbourne.
Claire leaps between her role as Artistic Director of Ensemble Offspring and concerto performances with Australian, New Zealand and European orchestras. Add her genrespanning solo concerts, teaching at the Sydney Conservatorium, a broad spectrum of collaborations, premiering hundreds of new works, to passionately advocating for gender equity in music and you begin to appreciate her astonishing energy. Perhaps her most significant contribution, beyond her endless quest for excellence in performance, is in breaking down the barriers between art music and audiences, through bringing new music to unexpected places. [ IAN MUNRO Born in Melbourne and educated at the VCA, Ian was taught the piano by Roy Shepherd. While completing his studies in Vienna and London, Ian won a number of prizes in international competitions, leading to solo performances across Europe, the USA and Asia, and recordings for the BBC, Naxos, and ABC Classics. Ian returned to composing in 2000. His first major work Dreams (2002) was awarded Premier Grand Prix at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. Recent commissions include a flute concerto for the Melbourne and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras and a song cycle for soprano Sara MacLiver. Ian’s works may be found at the Australian Music Centre.
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EUAN MURDOCH Euan Murdoch is CEO of Melbourne Recital Centre comprising two world-class performance spaces known for architectural innovation and acoustic perfection. He was Director of Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music and Chief Executive of Chamber Music New Zealand (2006-2014). As a cellist, teacher and chamber musician, he has worked throughout the world including as a jury member for competitions at Wigmore Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields. In August 2021 he will adjudicate the national finals of Strike a Chord and the NZ Chamber Music Contest. His aim is to bring music closer to people as an essential part of daily life.
MICHELE WALSH A graduate of the University of Adelaide and winner of the ABC Instrumental Competition violinist Michele Walsh has appeared as soloist with orchestras in Australia and has performed around the world. Formerly Associate Concertmaster of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, she is currently Associate Professor in Violin and Head of Strings at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Michele has a particular interest in fostering young musicians and working in regional areas. She is very committed to the work of the Australian Youth Orchestra, serving as a Board member and Chair of the Artistic committee. Michele was Director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music Winterschool and is Director of the Mount Buller Summer Chamber Music School.
[ DIMITY SHEPHARD Dimity Shepherd is one of Melbourne’s favourite mezzos. A four time Green Room Award winner, her career spans both traditional and contemporary opera, chamber music and concert repertoire. She has been sought after as a performer of new Australian works, most recently the acclaimed Lorelei (Victorian Opera and Opera Queensland) and as the soloist in Katy Abbott’s Return to Sender with the Flinders Quartet. Other recent engagements include Carmen in Opera Australia’s national tour, Pearl in Summer Of the Seventeenth Doll by Richard Mills (SOSA), The Queen and the Cat in Respighi’s Sleeping Beauty (VO), and Mrs Judd and Mrs Bonner in Richard Meale’s Voss (VO). Dimity has twice judged the Herald Sun Aria singing competition.
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SECOND PRIZE Paul Morawetz Prize | $4,000 JPMS ENSEMBLE SPIRITO This prize is supported by the Morawetz Family in memory of Paul and his interest in nurturing young talent and a generation of concert artists. THIRD PRIZE Laura Brown Prize | $2,500 FALSE RELATIONS The Laura Brown Prize is supported by Beth Brown and the late Tom Bruce AM in memory of Beth’s mother. AUDIENCE PRIZE Peter Druce Prize | $2,000 JPMS ENSEMBLE SPIRITO This prize is supported by the family of the late Peter Druce, who was a Melbourne lawyer and Arts Patron with a particular interest in music. PRIZES AWARDED AT THE GRAND FINAL [ THE PRIZES ] • VISIT • flindersquartet.com for FQ’s calendarfullofevents Caring for tradition. Daring to be different. FIRST PRIZE Robert Salzer Prize | $5,000 AMOGUS TRIO Generously supported by the Robert Salzer Foundation in Melbourne.
• Travel and accommodation for four participants and one accompanying adult • Coaching staff and program
The prize includes 8 x 1-hour coaching sessions, Unlimited access to any Sutherland Trio rehearsals, and a collaborative performance with Sutherland Trio to be held at Melbourne Digital Concert Hall (date to be discussed and agreed upon with all parties). Travel to Melbourne may be subsidised where required.
♦ False Relations, NSW Australian National Academy of Music Prize
Generously supported by Gandel Philanthropy.
*Should COVID-19 events and/or restrictions impact the Galston Concerts Gala in 2021, reasonable attempts will be made to reschedule the performances in 2022.
Generously financially supported by Tom Breen.
Up to two ensembles will be chosen from Strike A Chord 2021 Finalist and/or Reserve Finalist Ensembles from the Greater Sydney Area, based on availability and in consultation with The Galston Concerts management. Performances will take place at the 2021 Galston Gala on November 21*. Winning ensembles will be offered a performance fee of $200 per player with a maximum fee payable of $1,000 per ensemble.
♦ Piccolo Quartet, NSW PRIZES AWARDED AT ANY STAGE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP Sutherland Trio Mentorship Prize
Generously financially supported by Tom Breen.
For a string quartet who the adjudicators believe would most benefit from a week-long coaching residency at ANAM (dates to be discussed and agreed upon with all parties).
Bendigo Chamber Music Festival Prize
Galston Concert Prize
• Rehearsal room
• Closed performance opportunity at end of week
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For a group that resides outside one of the major capital cities.
♦ Shearwater Trio, NSW Gandel Australian Music Prize
A 12 month mentorship with the Flinders Quartet, awarded by the Jury in consultation with Flinders Quartet to a string quartet that shows commitment and potential to take their ensemble to the next level.
A 12 month mentorship with the Sutherland Trio, awarded by the Jury in consultation with Sutherland Trio to a piano trio that shows commitment and potential to take their ensemble to the next level.
Awarded by the Jury, in consultation with BCMF Artistic Administration, the winning group/s selected from any stage of the competition will be invited to give a 45min performance as part of the 2022 Bendigo Chamber Music Festival (travel and accommodation provided). In addition to the performance, the group/s will have opportunities to engage with professional artists in an educational context including participation in masterclasses and attendance at other Festival concerts. 3MBS Prize Awarded by the Jury to the top two groups from Victoria.
Melbourne Recital Centre Regional Prize
♦ False Relations, NSW Flinders Quartet Mentorship Prize
A live to air performance on 3MBS for the winning ensembles in one of their concert programs at a date suitable for both parties, including streaming + interview + social media. Ensembles will also receive a copy of their performance recording.
Note: If there is no suitable string quartet, other ensemble combinations will be considered. The prize includes 10 mentorship sessions with Flinders Quartet members; 2 sessions on group development, career planning and concert presentation; performance in a Flinders Quartet subscription concert, including travel to and accommodation in Melbourne if required; and the opportunity to observe the Flinders Quartet in rehearsal throughout the year. Mentoring/rehearsal sessions will take place remotely via online platform where necessary.
All-access pass to selected MRC concerts for one week (dates to be discussed and agreed upon with all parties), including travel and accommodation.
This prize is awarded for the best performance of an Australian work, which may include student compositions. In addition to receiving $2,000 cash, if the winner of this prize is not already in the final, the group will be invited to give a special performance at an appropriate time during the finals event. Travel to Melbourne will be subsidised where required.
I Allegro
JAMES
QLD VIC 12
JPMS ENSEMBLE SPIRITO
Newly formed just this year, Leon (violin), Lachie (violin), Neil (viola) and Justin (cello) are extremely excited to explore the vast repertoire written for string quartet. Under the tutelage of Wilma Smith, they are currently working on the 8th String Quartet by Shostakovich, hoping to further cultivate teamwork and look deeper into the significance of the ideas woven between the notes. Having only just scratched the surface of chamber music, the string quartet enthusiastically looks forward to the myriad of pieces and works that await them.
“Thrilling, exhilarating, captivating, highly entertaining” have been used to describe performances of members of J Percussion Music School Ensemble Spirito. As prize winning soloists and chamber musicians, current members Abi, Chloe, Lachlan, Theo and Yuliana have regularly performed around Brisbane and along the Australian east coast. JPMS Ensemble Spirito is looking forward to sharing with audiences one of the most virtuosic as well as sublime works in the percussion repertory, Kyoto by Greek-New Zealand composer John Psathas.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) String Quartet no 11 in F minor, Op 95 (1810) 4’40 con brio CAMPBELL
YULIANA CHEN percussion Brisbane State High School Y11 CHLOE CHRISTOFAN percussion Brisbane State High School Y11 LACHLAN TU percussion Brisbane Boys Grammar Y11 ABIGAIL LING percussion Brisbane State High School Y11 THEO HIDAJAT percussion Mansfield State High School Y11 LEON FEI violin Scotch College Y11 LACHLAN CHEN violin Scotch College Y11 NEIL WANG viola Scotch College Y 9 JUSTIN SHENG cello Scotch College Y12
STRING
John PSATHAS (b 1966) Kyoto (2011) 9’00 QUARTET
The Bartholdy Trio is a piano trio of highly accomplished young Fionamusicians.Feng won first prize at the Chopin in Warwel International Piano Competition, Poland, and first prize in the Golden Classical Music Awards in New York. Fiona studies with Natalia Ricci. Justine Zhang had her first solo performance at the age of 8 at the Sydney Opera House and was a soloist at the School Spectacular in 2018 and 2019. Justine studies with Alice VincentWaten.
NSW
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Piano Trio no 1 in D minor, Op 49 (1839) 9’50 I Molto allegro agitato
Zhu studied with Xiaole Wu, and Thomas Tsai who is his present teacher. He was accepted into the AYO camp and ACO Academy programs in 2021.
III Allegro giocoso IV Finale WA
JUSTINE ZHANG violin MLC School Y 8 VINCENT ZHU cello Conservatorium High School Y 8 FIONA FENG piano MLC School Y 9 AARON OOI violin All Saints College Y 9 ALICIA SUN violin Penrhos College Y 6 MIA HASLER violin Home School Y 8 PAULA KRAUSE violin All Saints College Y 8
FOUR STRINGS Ignaz LACHNER (1807-1895) Quartet in G for Four Violins, Op 107 (1895) 6’40
BARTHOLDY TRIO
Four Strings is a violin quartet formed at the 2020 WA Young Artists Chamber Music Program (WAYACHAMP). After enjoying learning to collaborate in a chamber group, they continued playing together and won a prize at the 2020 WAYACOMP. All members play violin in the WA Youth AaronOrchestra.isalso a jazz pianist and oboist; Alicia also plays the piano; Mia enjoys playing chamber music, and also plays cello; and Paula also plays flute and piano.
JACK THEAKSTON cello Hills Grammar School 9
All members of the Quartet are students from the Rising Stars Program of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Isabella, Jonah and Hayley study with Mr Fox Chan and Jack studies with Ms Susan Blake. Not only are the members devoted chamber musicians but also accomplished soloists, scholarship recipients and prizewinners of local and international competitions such as the Sydney Eisteddfod and Melbourne International Piano and String Festival Competition.
ISABELLA SUN violin Abbotsleigh School Y 9 JONAH SHI violin Knox Grammar School Y 7 HAYLEY LAU viola Wenona School Y 9
Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School Y12
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String Quartet no 2 in A minor, Op 13 (1827) 8’30
MIA-CHENEA ROBINSON voice Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School Y12
SEBASTIAN COYNE piano
Out of a newfound resolve to make music after the extended lockdowns of 2020, and as a way for these three friends to celebrate their final year at school together, Mia, Seb and Noah formed Trio Finifugal. Mia studies classical voice with Dermot Tutty. Noah studies with Josephine Vains, and Seb with Christopher Cartlidge. All three have extensive ensemble experience and are deeply passionate about music. Trio Finifugal look forward to sharing music with this wonderful community of young musicians.
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
TRIO FINIFUGAL Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Zwei Gesänge Op 91 (1884) 5’45
II Geistliches Wiegenlied
Established in early 2019, the Piccolo String Quartet is under the mentorship of tutors from Arco Music Academy and members from Estivo Trio and Enigma Quartet.
NOAH LAWRENCE cello Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School Y12
PICCOLO STRING QUARTET
I Adagio - Allegro vivace
VIC NSW 14
STERLING
SHELL-SHOCKED QLD SA 15
PIRULÍ STRING
JASMINE MILTON violin Concordia College Adelaide Y12
NICHOLAS YANG marimba 1 Sheldon College Y11 DAVID CHIU marimba 2 Sheldon College Y 8
HANEULLE LOVELL violin Concordia College Adelaide Y12 RIECK viola Concordia College Adelaide Y11 CHRISTIAN cello Concordia College Adelaide Y11
CALEB
Sheldon
I Adagio - Allegro vivace
QUARTET
Shell-Shocked are a dynamic Percussion Quartet from Sheldon College in Brisbane. Nicholas Robinson, is the eldest of the four current ensemble members and is the Percussion Captain at Sheldon College. Nicholas Yang and Hayden Rayner are both heavily involved in the Arts program having both recently performed in the school productions of Les Miserables and Wicked. David Chiu started percussion at age 5 and completed his AMEB Grade 8 exams for Percussion and Drumkit by age 12. All 4 members of Shell-Shocked have won National titles as both soloists and ensemble members. QUARTET
HAYDEN RAYNER percussion College Y11
NICHOLAS ROBINSON vibraphone Sheldon College Y12
The Pirulí String Quartet was formed in 2017 under the direction of Martin Butler OAM. Jasmine is mentored by Dr Elizabeth Layton and Haneulle learns from Wendy Heiligenberg. Sterling is currently mentored by Shirin Lim and learns viola with Martin Butler. Caleb learns from Ewen Bramble. The quartet won first prize in the 2018 and 2019 Adelaide Eisteddfods. They have been heavily involved with the Adelaide Youth Orchestra - Haneulle is the current Aconcertmaster.hallmarkfeature of the quartet is their “string quartet catchup nights”, which involve movies, popcorn, board games, a sprinkle of practice, and questionable cooking recipes.
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) String Quartet no 2 in A minor, Op 13 (1827) 7’40
PERCUSSION
Dave HALL (b 1983) Escape Velocity (2008) 5’30
AMOGUS TRIO Arno BABAJANYAN (1921-1983) Piano Trio in F-sharp minor (1952) 11’40
JOSHUA JONES cello Brisbane State High School Y12
FALSE RELATIONS Paul STANHOPE (b 1969) I have not your dreaming (2005) 7’00 NSW QLD
ARCHIE TULK voice Conservatorium High School Y12 AUSTIN O’TOOLE voice Conservatorium High School Y12
GABRIEL DILLON voice Conservatorium High School Y12
Joshua was a Finalist in the QSO Young Instrumentalist Competition four times and performed the Dvorak concerto with QYS where he is Principal Cello. Jeremy made his concerto debut at 11. He has won numerous international and national competitions, including in Italy, Germany, China and Portugal.
False Relations is a male vocal ensemble made up of four close friends. The group prides itself on its flexibility, with its ever-expanding repertoire encompassing music from Byrd to The Beach Boys. As well as performing professionally, False Relations has gained a substantial following on TikTok, and their videos have been viewed over two million times. More recently, the group has been mentored by baritone David Greco, and all four boys are immensely grateful to David for his guidance and support. False Relations feels very fortunate to have been selected to perform at the Strike A Chord championship.
ANNA SUZUKI violin Home School Y10
LIAM GREEN voice Conservatorium High School Y12
Joshua studies cello with Howard Penny and Karol Kowalik.
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JEREMY SUN piano Home School Y10
The Amogus Trio was formed in March 2021 and is coached by Anna Grinberg and Tim Li.
Anna currently studies under Michele Walsh. She won the QSO Young Instrumentalist Prize in 2021 and has recorded the Sibelius Violin Concerto with QSO.
III Andante IV Allegro vivace
I Prelude II Scherzo
SEBASTIAN COYNE viola Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School Y12
ACT VIC 17
JAYDEN LOHE flute Narrabundah College Y12
IAN CHIAO violin Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School Y12
JAMIE MILES viola Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School Y11
LUCY GAO piano Narrabundah College Y12
THE CANBERRA REDS François DOPPLER (1821-1883) Andante et Rondo for Two Flutes and Piano, Op 25 (1874) 8’35
RalphVDUBVAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Phantasy Quintet (1912) 7’45
CARL VITOLOVICH flute Canberra Grammar School Y11
NOAH LAWRENCE cello Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School Y12
As individuals, the members of Vdub have performed with the Australian Youth Orchestra, Melbourne Youth Orchestra, The Orchestra Project, for VCE Top Acts, Pettman Chamber Academy (NZ), ACO Academy and Melbourne String TwoEnsemble.ofthe members, Jamie and Noah, were past winners of the Lockdown Legends Competition in 2020 as members of Eureka Quartet. They have set themselves a challenge to perform in the Strike A Chord competition from memory. Lead violinist Olivia Spyrou says, “I love the atmospheric journey of performing without music, and the artistic freedom it brings to the interpretation.” Vdub is tutored by Josephine Vains. Jayden, Carl and Lucy started playing together in February Jayden2021. is also a Wesley Organ Scholar. He is part of the ANU Open School chamber program and is Principal Flute in the Canberra Youth Orchestra. Jayden is a student of Teresa CarlRabe.discovered his love of the flute 5 years ago having played fife, clarinet and bass clarinet. He is also learning piano. Carl is a student of Teresa Rabe. Lucy gained her LMusA in piano in 2019. Lucy has played in various ensembles in the ANU Open School chamber music program. Lucy is a student of Marie Cull.
OLIVIA SPYROU violin Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School Y11
AUSTA is pleased to support the Strike a Chord National Chamber ChampionshipMusic AUSTA is an association of teachers, players and makers of bowed string instruments which promotes excellence in all aspects of performance, teaching, composing, conducting and string instrument making. AUSTA inspires and supports the string community and facilitates communication at local, national and international levels.www.austa.asn.au
Online & ClassicalDigitalMusicwww.3mbs.org.au A proud sponsor of Strike A Melbourne’sChord
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♦ Bellissimo Flute Ensemble, QLD Innovation Award For the ensemble who throws the most interesting light on what chamber music can be. For a group that does not progress to the Finals. $500 cash.
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Keyboard | sponsored by Yamaha Music Australia The Open School Piano Quartet, ACT ♦ MLC 40 Fingers, NSW ♦ Fraser Piano Trio, QLD ♦ Bradford Trio, VIC ♦ Triola Trio, VIC Percussion JPMS Ensemble Ritmico, QLD ♦ JPMS Ensemble Vivo, QLD Woodwind | sponsored by Yamaha Music Australia
$1,000 worth of sheet music for a group that shows a need for additional resources, and does not progress to the Finals.
AMEB Emerging Ensemble Encouragement Award
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The Klezmer Trio, NSW Brass | sponsored by Yamaha Music Australia St.George Brass Band Junior Quintet, NSW Darwin High School Brass Trio, NT Adelaide Trombone Quartet, SA Strings | sponsored by the Australian Strings Association Lam Quartet, NSW ♦ Tetivo Trio, NSW ♦ Von Einem String Quartet, NSW Dragon Brothers, NSW Mixed Ensemble The MLC School Trio, NSW Vocal ♦ The ‘Illegal’ Choir, NSW MLC School Vocal Consort, NSW Junior ♦ Finesse Strings, WA Year 6/7 String Quartet, NSW
Strike A Chord strives to celebrate the sincere and joyful accomplishments of secondary school chamber groups from all over Australia. As such, First Round Jurors – Elyane Laussade and Blair Harris – were delighted to present the following encouragement awards to groups that did not progress to the 2021 Grand Final. Congratulations to all. PRIZES
The Dented Crooks, ACT ♦ Sydney Grammar School Double Reed Trio, NSW The King’s School Clarinet Quartet, NSW
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♦ Baroque Ensemble, SA Spirit of Chamber Music Award Generously provided by Elizabeth Sellars, in memory of John and Lesley Sellars. For a group who the jury feels in some way touches upon the essential character and/or spirituality of a work, and does not progress to the Finals. $200 cash MLC School Vocal Consort, NSW At the discretion of the Artistic Director, one or more prizes may be awarded in each of the following categories, to groups that do not progress to the Finals:
Scotch College Two Pianos Junior Ensemble, VIC 100 Strings, WA 20
[ FIRST ROUND
♦ 100 Strings ♦ Abbotsleigh TEK Piano Trio ♦ Adelaide Cello Quartet, Concordia College ♦ Adelaide Trombone Quartet ♦ Allegro String Quartet ♦ Amethyst String Quartet ♦ Amogus Trio ♦ Athena Quartet ♦ Balwyn High School String Quartet ♦ Baroque Ensemble ♦ Bartholdy Trio ♦ Be Natural ♦ Bellissimo Flute Ensemble ♦ Blackburn High School Vocal Ensemble A ♦ Blackburn High School Vocal Ensemble B ♦ Bradford Trio ♦ Cairns State High School Percussion Octet ♦ Cairns State High School Piano Quartet ♦ Christian College Year 11 VCE Chamber Group ♦ Citipointe Chamber Strings ♦ Coasties Trio ♦ Da Capo String Quartet ♦ Darwin High School Brass Trio ♦ Darwin High SaxophoneSchoolQuartet ♦ Dragon Brothers ♦ Ensemble Fontegara ♦ Esplanade Trio ♦ False Relations ♦ Finesse Strings ♦ Flinders Christian Community College VCE TRIO ♦ Four Seasons String Quartet ♦ Four Strings ♦ Fraser Piano Trio ♦ Genies ♦ Glenunga International High School String Quartet 1 ♦ Glenunga International High School String Quartet 2 ♦ Good Shepherd Quartet ♦ Holy Händel ♦ Iolite String Quartet ♦ Itet - Essendon Quartet ♦ Itet Bendigo Noble Quartet ♦ James Campbell String Quartet, Scotch College ♦ JPMS Ensemble Ritmico ♦ JPMS Ensemble Spirito ♦ JPMS Ensemble Vivo ♦ Kingussie Quartet ♦ Korowa Anglican Girls’ School String Quartet 1 ♦ Korowa Anglican Girls’ School String Quartet 2 ♦ Lam Quartet ♦ Lazurite String Quartet ♦ Magnolia Trio ♦ Melbourne Grammar School String Quartet ♦ MLC 40 Fingers ♦ MLC Bass Quintet ♦ MLC School Vocal Consort ♦ Moriah College Percussion Ensemble ♦ Nhill College Brass Quartet ♦ Nhill College Clari-Bass Trio ♦ Piccolo String Quartet ♦ Pirulí String ConcordiaQuartet,College ♦ PLC Armidale Advanced Chamber Ensemble ♦ PLC Armidale String Quartet ♦ PLC Sydney Senior String Quartet ♦ Quartet Dolce ♦ Quartet Yehudi ♦ RGS Saxophone Ensemble ♦ Roystead Quartet ♦ Sakura-Mei Trio ♦ Sapphire String Quartet ♦ Scotch College Oboe Guitar Sextet ♦ Scotch College Oboe Quartet ♦ Scotch College Two Pianos Junior Ensemble ♦ Shearwater Trio ♦ Shell-Shocked Percussion Quartet, Sheldon College ♦ Spinifex Senior String Ensemble, Spinifex State College ♦ St Andrew’s Cathedral School Piano Quintet ♦ St Mary MacKillop College Senior Wind Ensemble ♦ St Patrick’s College String Quartet ♦ St Peter’s ChamberCollegeGroup ♦ St Peter’s SaxophoneCollegeSextet ♦ St George Brass Band Junior Quintet ♦ Staccato Piano Trio ♦ Sydney Grammar School Double Reed Trio ♦ Tetivo Trio ♦ The Allegretto String Quartet ♦ The Blend ♦ The Canberra Reds ♦ The Dented Crooks ♦ The Four Mozart-rella Sticks ♦ The Hamilton and Alexandra College Senior String Quartet ♦ The ‘Illegal’ Choir ♦ The J Triple ANU Open School Trio ♦ The King’s School Clarinet Quartet ♦ The Klezmer Trio ♦ The MLC School Trio ♦ The Open School Piano Quartet ♦ The Open School Piano Trio ♦ The Open School Three Musketeers ♦ The Rubato Piano Trio ♦ Tintern Grammar IB Trio ♦ TrinityClarinetCollegeEnsemble ♦ Trio Finifugal ♦ Trio Mignon ♦ Trio Piccolo ♦ Triola Trio ♦ Turquoise Chamber Group ♦ Vdub ♦ Vivace String Quartet ♦ Volar Quintet ♦ Von Einem String Quartet ♦ Wilderness School Piano Trio ♦ Winter Harps ♦ Year 6/7 String Quartet, Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Sydney ♦ Year 9 SpinifexTrio State College [ ALL 2021 ENTRIES Congratulations to all the ensembles that entered Strike A Chord and the Yamaha Novice Section. You all achieved heroically! 21
The Benaud Trio Composer David John Lang's new work captures the drama of decisive moments in sport through music Trio Joyous French chamber music the end of the La Belle Époque Recital Centre artists
celebrates past, present and future connections between
Appeal
from
Firebird
Where live music lives. Melbourne
MELBOURNERECITAL.COM.AU Principal Government Partner
Duo Eclettico Pianist Coady Green explores the musical vibrancy of birdsong Let your support for local artists be heard, with a tax-deductible donation to the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Local Artist
and audiences
PURPOSE Musica Viva exists to create and support a vibrant chamber music sector which is accessible to people of all backgrounds across Australia. VISION An Australia where chamber music thrives and where all people of all ages, cultures and communities have access to and learn to appreciate the vital role of music in building a stronger and more creative world. Our mission to enrich communities across Australia by making live chamber music accessible to everyone has never been more important. It’s also never been more challenging, than in this unpredictable time. Thankfully, through your generous donations to the Musica Viva Artists Fund, over the past year we’ve been able to innovate and deliver a new online series, Discover Musica Viva. Simultaneously, our team have worked diligently to develop Musica Viva In Schools Online, allowing us to continue deliver this accessible resource to teachers when lockdowns or distance prevent live performances. We are proud of our history of uncovering new talent, developing the early careers of some of our best musicians and promoting our most acclaimed ensembles here and overseas. We continue to nurture the careers of young musicians, and this year, Strike A Chord, our National Chamber Music Championship, will build on the success of last year’s launch to give high school students from all over Australia the opportunity to experience the joy of making chamber music. Through the support of many donors, we have commissioned hundreds of new compositions from Australian composers, and we play a leading role in supporting female composers through our Hildegard
WeProject.have been bringing live music to schools for 40 years, and whole generations of Australian children have experienced our programs. We continue to delight and inspire close to 300,000 students each year, and we support their teachers with vital training and professional development. We started as a chamber music organisation focused on just one ensemble but have developed as we grew to deliver our purpose: ‘to create and support a vibrant chamber music sector which is accessible to people of all backgrounds across Australia.’ As we return to full operating mode, Musica Viva will continue to showcase the finest chamber music making to audiences all around Australia, in capital cities, regional centres and remote communities.
Musica Viva’s story began on 8 December 1945, with one concert featuring the music of Beethoven and Mozart at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In the 75 years since, our horizons have expanded far beyond Sydney, creating a fertile landscape of music right across Australia, becoming one of the world’s largest presenters of chamber music.
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We would like to thank the following people and organisations for their invaluable contribution to Strike A Chord 2021: And of course, to all the students, teachers and parents who have participated in the second Strike A Chord. Thank you for your enthusiasm, dedication, and perseverance in this year of change and challenge. [ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ABCaudioClassicrecording teams Adrian McEniery Adrian Newman Adrian ChristaChrisCelesteCarolineCarmelBrentBlairBernardBenAuvroAprilAnnieAnneliseAnneAnnaAndyAndreaAlexandraAlastairNyeCampbellWhiteMcKenzieEisenbergKellyFrankenbergMaurerReidErskineAdhikariAndersonDepasqualeHarrisMillerMorfuniDavisMooreHowlettPowell Christina Cook Clare IsobelIrisHowardHelenHelenHelenHarryHannahGregFloraFionaFionaEuniseEuanEmilyElyaneElizabethElizabethDorotheaDeclanDavidDanielWhartonSmithAdeltPostlethwaiteJosemCampbellDedmanLaussadeKellyMurdochChengCampbellSeersWongTaylorTungateWardAyresDwyerVorrathPennyKennedyFerrier Jaci LindaLillaLeridaLeighLeahLamornaKylieKatherineKateJoshuaJosephJonathanJohnJoannaJennyJenJeffJanetJaneJamesJamesJamesJamesMadderndeRozarioGrantLeFevreMountainFyfieldMcKayHigginsWardOwenDrimatisSharkeyHendersonSmithHealeyMazoudierKempKingNightingalePhillipsHarroldDelbridgeItoBull Liz McKenzie Liz RobertRobPruePeterNicoleNickNickNathanNaomiMonteMonicaMLCMatthewMaryMarshallMarkMarieseMarianneMargaretMadeleineLukeLloydWoolnoughVan’tHoffIredaleJevonsBarrettEdwardsShallardWaltonMcGuireScicchitanoLorenzonSchool,SydneyCurroMumfordCrellinRipponBaileyDinopoulosCanhamMorrisStoneMcWilliamsGibbs Robert TristanTheTarienStephenStefanSaschaSarahSamanthaSabrinaRussellRowenaHarrisMacNeishThomsonGovicMackThompsonKellyCassomenosAdamsLampenAV1TeamSelke Vedran Drakulić OAM Virginia Read Vita ZoeZoëYuriWilliamWenhongWendyDaleyAvilovLuoNgHuijgCobden-JewittKnighton 24
Novice Section Partner Key Philanthropic Partners Presenting Partners National Partners Principal Partner Individual Gifts Strategic Partners Venue Partners [ PARTNERS + DONORS $20,000 - $49,000 Mercer Family Foundation Anonymous $10,000 - $19,999 The Druce Family The Morawetz Family $5,000 - $9,999 Aldridge Family Endowment Dr Di Bresciani OAM & Lino Bresciani OAM Michael & Frederique Katz Dr Craig Reynolds $500 - $4,999 Joanna Baevski Penny AlastairBeran&Sue Campbell Katherine Kemp Janet McDonald Myer Family Foundation Shelley & Euan Murdoch Margaret Oates Musica Viva SA Committee Musica Viva VIC Committee Musica Viva WA Committee $100 - $499 Carolyn Baker Liz ElizabethGee Sellars Lindsay Silbert Musica Viva is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW. Musica Viva is assisted by the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. Musica Viva is a not-for-profit organisation endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient and registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Tom Breen – Founding Patron of the National Development Program Marjorie Nicholas OAM Patron of the Artistic Director 25
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For over a century, Yamaha has blended a tradition of Japanese craftsmanship with innovations in modern materials and sound to create pianos of exceptional tone and breathtaking beauty.
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PO Box Strawberry1687HillsNSW2012 www.musicaviva.com.au/strikeachordchampionship@musicaviva.com.austrikeachordau soopknife.comdesign:
