MusicNT Announces 'Most Innovative' Program To Date For 2015

MusicNT, the Northern Territory's peak contemporary music body, turns 19 years old this year and, in celebration of its continued growth and vitality amid the burgeoning northern scene, has announced its "most innovative" program yet, featuring a broad array of events for industry personnel and artists alike.

Unveiled yesterday at the Darwin Entertainment Centre by NT Minister for Arts and Museums the Hon Gary Higgins, this year's MusicNT program provides a balanced spread of new and returning initiatives to further develop industry and performer interests in the region.

Said MusicNT executive director Mark Smith: "Last year was the biggest year in MusicNT's history. We delivered 17 programs in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Tennant Creek and many communities between. More than 15,000 people, including 1016 musicians and music-industry workers, were directly engaged with these programs. Through their involvement, musicians from the NT reached over 500,000 people Australia-wide.

"Music is a huge contributor to the Northern Territory's cultural and social identity, and the Northern Territory is a rich landscape for Australian music and stories. We're very proud to work with the Territory music scene, including with organisations, industry, musicians and government to grow the NT's music reach."

If the program is anything to go by, MusicNT shouldn't have too hard a time contributing to the scene's continued development; in 2015, the region will once again welcome: 

• intune darwin, a yearly music conference boasting workshops, masterclasses, networking opportunities, panels and showcases from 26-27 June. This year's first speaker announcement includes Nick Findlay (triple j), Sarah Hamilton (Ditto Music), Hazel Savage (Pandora) and Chris Johnson (AMRAP). 
• the NT Song Of The Year Awards, providing Territorian songwriters with a platform on which to showcase their composing chops in front of a national audience, with potential opportunities including festival spots and radio airtime;
• the Hot Shots Music Photo Competition, which highlights the finest in live music photography for a travelling exhibition — applications are open until 1 June;
• FRESH MiNT, a "refreshing monthly dose" of music from around the Territory;
• MiNT Radio, an all-NT-music 24-hour digital radio station;
• the National Indigenous Music Awards, coming 25 July;
• the Bush Bands Program, bringing together two existing NT events — the Bush Bands Bash and Bush Bands Business — to provide Indigenous musicians with skills and industry development with an ultimate goal of live performance. Bush Bands Business runs from 2-4 September; the Bash goes down on 5 September;
• the Divas Program, returning for another year to provide Indigenous female artists with a chance to develop their skills via songwriting, industry and performance workshops, leading up to a series of showcases in April, July and September;
• Sista Sounds, which stages workshops in remote communities across the Territory for Indigenous women;
• Workshop Series, bringing a slew of masterclasses designed to raise knowledge and experience standards throughout the NT industry; and
• the Original Recipe Music Festival, a week-long contemporary event with a particular focus on Territorian music. Last year's event saw more than 5500 people reached by its 135 artists and 58 events across 37 venues. This year's event goes down during AusMusic Month, from 9-15 November.

That's not all that's in store for Territorian music professionals and lovers, with a Membership program being re-launched to include improved travel support for NT musos, and the arrival of Support MusicNT, which the industry body describes as "a series of events and opportunities for people to actively engage with and help MusicNT in the delivery of essential music development programs across the Territory".

For more information about any of the events being orchestrated by MusicNT this year, head to the organisation's website.