The NT Music School’s Battle of the School Bands final will be held this Friday at the Darwin Railway Club.
The highly anticipated competition is an opportunity for young performers to showcase their talent, with the overall winners going on to share the stage at the annual Territory Day 2023 Concert.
NT Music School’s Simon Pedder says the school is looking forward to showcasing all finalists in front of a live crowd after they progressed through heats in Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine and Nhulunbuy.
“This year has seen a tremendous effort from our student musos across the Territory. We are very happy to return to a live show after Covid and I know the students are excited because some of them are performing live for the first time.
“Over the past 14 years the NT Music School’s Battle of the School Bands program has produced over 100 bands and over 50 soloists and duos, totalling more than 700 students. This year alone we have had over 50 students across the Territory participate in the competition and that’s a lot of understanding parents and neighbours,” Mr Pedder said.
The Territory-wide competition included Darwin High School, Mulga Bore School, Casuarina Senior College, The Essington School, Dripstone Middle School, Katherine High School, St Philips College, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Nhulunbuy High School, Centralian Senior College and Yirara College.
Finalists for 2023 are as follows:
Bands Section:
QWYA – Nhulunbuy High School
Elephant Town – Darwin High School, Casuarina Senior College and The Essington School
Mulga Bore Hard Rock – Mulga Bore School
T.R.A.K.K.Z. – Yirara College
Soloist/Duo Section:
Monsieur – Katherine High School
The Jumiz – Centralian Senior College
Reverie – Casuarina Senior College
Heidi Barker – Dripstone Middle School
“Previous entrants in Battle of the School Bands have gone on to tour around Australia in bands, recorded albums in Melbourne and Sydney, participated in Unearthed Triple J and completed their music degrees at the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts and Sydney Conservatorium. Others have remained in the Territory to become local music industry leaders and music teachers. This an excellent way for young people to get their music heard throughout the NT,” Mr Pedder said.
Each year there is a webcast of the final live from the Darwin Railway Club. Tickets are still available for those of you who want to see the bands, soloists and duos live on the night. Scan the QR code in the attached poster to book a seat.
You can watch the finals webcast live from 6.30pm Friday 2 June at [ The link will become live once the event starts.