A Town Without Music is a documentary film on the importance of access to music in a community. It focuses on music educator, Layton Hodgetts OAM, and the effect his community band, The Derwent Valley Concert Band, had on local lives in the small low-socioeconomic town of New Norfolk in Tasmania – not least of all his own. The story follows the birth of the band in 1993 due to a lack of musical opportunity in the town and the incredibly unlikely journey that followed as the band gained momentum: touring the world, winning international competitions, and even performing at a Royal Wedding. However, as the band and Layton’s notoriety grew so did negative attention from a minority - a case of tall poppy syndrome which included physical attacks on him and his property. Layton’s passion for the community and vision for the bigger picture prevailed until 2019 when he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer… As he suddenly came to terms with the end of his life – both the band and wider community powerfully rallied and supported him right to the end. His impact through bringing music to their lives continues to live on, but for how long? Currently music education is in decline across the country - this is evident in the Derwent Valley too as there is no longer a music teacher in every school, no schools participate in the Primary Band Program anymore, and there is no concert band at the High School. However, as a result, the band has recently begun a Learner Program for beginner musicians to offer affordable tuition for instrumental music in the local area so the next generation doesn’t miss out. This film is directed and narrated by Layton’s daughter, Sarah, a filmmaker who is also a long-standing member of the band and strong advocate that music be available for everyone no matter their social class.

Click here to listen to Sarah’s radio interview with Lucie Cutting on ABC Radio Hobart.

Click here to read the cover story article from TasWeekend magazine.

Click here to watch the teaser.