SAC Winners Announced

THE FRITZI TRIO WINS MUSICA VIVA AUSTRALIA’S STRIKE A CHORD 2024

Musica Viva Australia is thrilled to announce The Fritzi Trio, NSW as the winner of Strike A Chord 2024. 
Hailing from Sydney NSW and Melbourne VIC, the ensemble has been awarded the Robert Salzer First 
Prize, worth $5,000. 

Wilma Smith, Chair of the Jury and Musica Viva Australia Artistic Director of Competitions said, ‘Our 
team of expert jurors was completely blown away by the level of musicianship and technical prowess 
on display in today’s Grand Final. Fritzi Trio emerged as our worthy 1st prize winners, performing with 
exciting rhythmic energy, mature warmth of sound and expressive lyricism’

The Fritzi Trio consists of violinist Hannah Tyrrell, cellist Jamie Wallace and pianist Vincent Zhu. The 
group first met and became friends at the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp in 2023. 
Despite the geographical challenge of living in different states, they have enjoyed getting together to 
rehearse and perform as a Piano Trio as often as their busy schedules allow. All three are planning to 
pursue their musical studies at a tertiary level and would like to continue to play chamber music 
together throughout their professional lives. 

All members of the Fritzi Trio have participated in previous Strike A Chord competition. Jamie Wallace 
was a member of Cousin Quartet, the inaugural winner in 2020, and returned in 2022 with a piano 
quintet from Sydney Grammar. Violinist Hannah Tyrrell also competed in 2022 with a trio, although 
her group did not make the final. Pianist Vincent Zhu has been a finalist twice — first on cello with the 
Bartholdy Trio in 2021 and now as a pianist in 2024. Remarkably, between them, they have 
participated in every year of the competition’s history, demonstrating how Strike A Chord provides a 
valuable platform for young musicians to refine their skills, persevere, and grow throughout their 
musical journeys.

Strike A Chord is Australia’s national chamber music competition for school ensembles. Established 
in 2020, it aims to foster a love of chamber music amongst young people and provide an opportunity 
for students to develop their performance skills and discover the joy of making music with friends. 

The 2024 Grand Final jury is comprised of:
• Wilma Smith: Artistic Director of Competitions, Musica Viva Australia; Second Violinist, 
Flinders Quartet; Guest Concertmaster of orchestras throughout Australia and New Zealand.
• Howard Penny: Cellist, Head of Strings at ANAM; Former Principal Cello, Vienna Chamber 
Orchestra; chamber musician with global accolades.
• Vatche Jambazian: Pianist, Artistic Director of Bowral Autumn Music Festival; Principal Pianist, 
Omega Ensemble.
• Tim White OAM: Head of Classical Music at WAAPA; Former Principal Percussionist, Western 
Australia Symphony Orchestra and award-winning educator.
• Caroline Henbest: Violist, Resident Faculty at ANAM; Former Principal Viola, Australian 
Chamber Orchestra.

Musica Viva Australia CEO Anne Frankenberg: ‘At Musica Viva Australia it is one of our great privileges 
to play a small role in supporting young artists on their journey of musical discovery and development. 
We are immensely proud that programs like Strike A Chord can recognise, nurture and reward the joy, 
passion, talent and dedication displayed by participating artists, their teachers and families. 
Congratulations to all our 2024 Strike A Chord musicians.’ 

STRIKE A CHORD PRIZE WINNERS

The winners of the 2024 Strike A Chord Grand Final are:

PRIZE	GROUP	STATE
FIRST PRIZE ($5,000) The Robert Salzer Prize	The Fritzi Trio	NSW / VIC
SECOND PRIZE ($4,000) The Paul Morawetz Prize	Take Six	QLD
THIRD PRIZE ($2,500)	JPMS Ensemble Animato	QLD

 

Other significant prizes awarded at the Grand Final: 

PRIZE	GROUP	STATE
Encouragement Award	Marryatville High School Baroque Ensemble	SA
Monash Chamber Music Prize	Comet Quartet	NSW
Flinders Quartet Mentorship Prize	Lumina Quartet	NSW
Firebird Trio Mentorship Prize	Timli Trio	QLD
3MBS Prize	Aneres Trio Kingussie Trio	VIC

Artistic Director of Competitions, Musica Viva Australia, Wilma Smith: 'the quality of these young 
artists is truly amazing. Chamber music has always been a great joy of my career and it's heartwarming 
and exhilarating to see a new generation discover that joy. The future is bright in the hands of these 
wonderful musicians, and I have no doubt that many of them will grace our professional stages in 
years to come.’ 

Musica Viva Australia presents Strike A Chord with the support of Principal Partner Creative Victoria, 
Strategic Partner Melbourne Recital Centre, University Partner Monash University, and generous 
support from private donors and the Robert Salzer Foundation, and the Patricia H Reid Endowment. 

 

 

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Hayley Goodlich | Hayley@kabukupr.com.au or 0434 442 997