Musica Viva Australia has announced the finalists and first-round prize winners of Strike A Chord 2024, the largest iteration of its national chamber music competition for Australian school students.

Among the winners, Ngutu Ipila Kumangka from Ngutu College, consisting of eight students from Years 5-10, stood out by winning the Innovation Prize.

They competed against hundreds of other groups nationwide for prizes totalling up to $60,000.

Their song "Purka Mukaparrinthi," which means "Old Man Thinking To One's Self," along with the story they created behind it, earned them the Innovation Prize.

Ngutu music tutor, Uncle Phillip (Phil) Allen (Yidaki tutor), described the process, saying "ever since time can be remembered, Aboriginal people have been storytellers that told how things were, how things are, and how things will be; this is our recording of history, law, and lore".

"With this in mind, and with limited time to prepare, we had a skeleton outline of a story that needed to be developed," he said.

"Using the skills of the young people and their knowledge and with some direction from staff, the story began to be developed into a linear piece that was not restricted by timing or formal notation but as a piece that would take people on a journey into the story of the Old Man."

Ngutu College student K'shann thoroughly enjoyed their experience.

"It was an excellent opportunity to play the yidaki with a group of my friends," they said.

"I liked learning how to play the different animals on the yidaki and working with Uncle Phil.

"When I listened to it back on the recording I really liked the animal sounds and water sounds."

Uncle Phillip further explained the role of Ngutu College in nurturing creativity.

"I believe if we give children and adults the chance to own their own future by exploring all the elements of the Arts, the outcomes for individuals are limitless," he said.

"With this knowledge and the motto of Ngutu College, we were able to provide a perfect platform for the young people to develop and be totally innovative in developing 'Purka Mukaparrinthi.'

"Being not restricted by formal notation and timing, the young people both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal were able to explore how a violin could represent the sound winds, how a cello could help the Old Man get out of bed and take his walk."

The impact of this achievement on the students and broader community at Ngutu College is significant.

"How this achievement will impact other young people and the wider family community is yet to be seen, but I do believe that the opportunities Ngutu College provides, present and future young people will demonstrate their limitlessness and will develop into some of our community leaders in times to come," Uncle Phillip said.

The Novice Section prize winners are ANU Junior Guitar Ensemble from Canberra, ACT (First Prize), TAS Junior Piano Trio from Armidale, NSW (Second Prize), and PLC Sydney Harp Trio from Sydney, NSW (Third Prize). Established in 2020 as a digital-only competition, Strike A Chord has grown significantly. In 2024, it saw a record-breaking 617 entrants in 155 groups from seven states and territories.

Finalists are now preparing for the live grand final in Melbourne.

Strike A Chord is integral to Musica Viva Australia's commitment to diversity and inclusion, fostering a love of chamber music among students from diverse backgrounds and regional areas.

The program offers opportunities for collaboration and coaching from professional musicians.

Led by Artistic Director of Competitions Wilma Smith, it also bridges Musica Viva Australia's education efforts, reaching over 170,000 primary school children, and their Emerging Artists program.

The 12 finalists will perform live at the Grand Final at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Saturday, 31 August 2024.