In August last year, Musica Viva announced a new National Chamber Music Championship for Australian secondary school students, scheduled to take place in 2020 to mark the organisation’s 75th birthday year.

Launched with support from Creative Victoria, and in partnership with Melbourne Recital Centre (MRC) and the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), the finals weekend was to have taken place at the MRC at the beginning of September.

Musica Viva has announced that Strike a Chord – the National Chamber Music Championship will now take place online because of COVID-19 restrictions. The deadline to enter has been extended to August 27, new prizes have been announced, and the entry fee has been waived.

Image courtesy of Musica Viva

Twelve ensembles from at least six states or territories will be chosen to compete in the finals weekend, which will be streamed on September 12 from locations around the country.

Cash prizes of $5,000 for first place, $4,000 for second place and $2,500 for third place will be awarded by an expert jury. The Australian National Academy of Music will present the ANAM Prize which will offer one string quartet a week’s tutoring  at ANAM, including...