'The Resonate conference in Auckland drew a healthy crowd of musicians and filmmakers to the Town Hall to listen to a top-flight panel of industry heavyweights. Hosted by local music media-types Russell Brown, Nick Bollinger and Francesca Rudkin, Resonate was as easygoing affair. The panellists were great fun… What Resonate tried to do, and succeeded, was to break down barriers and bring these seriously big players into direct contact with local practitioners.'

Steve Adams, The Big Idea

Resonate was a 3-day music seminar, initiated and produced by British Council New Zealand in association with Mai FM and the New Zealand Music Industry Commission from 26-28 February 2003 in Auckland. Several additional public and private organisations working in the music and associated creative industries in New Zealand were partners in delivering specific aspects of the event which included workshops, masterclasses and public events aimed at young, emerging and mid-career artists. A broad range of topics were covered, including recording techniques and processes, song writing, performance skills, legal issues and intellectual property, media skills and artist management.

The project aimed to showcase the broad range and quality of UK music and associated creative industries, embracing the musical spectrum whilst acknowledging the similarities and differences in individual disciplines. UK delegates included Brent Hansen (CEO, MTV Europe), Pete Chambers (Serious Pictures), Liz Kessler (Island Universal UK) Greg Haver, Stephen Budd (SBD Management) and 1 Giant Leap.

Vital differences that were explored at the seminar included the amount of artist input into projects, which is usually greater in New Zealand than the UK. For example, it became obvious early in the proceedings that the making of a video in England and New Zealand are two very different processes. In New Zealand artists tend to have far greater input into the video-making process than in the UK.

As the highlight event of British Council New Zealand's arts programme in 2002/03, a full report has been prepared on this event and is available on request. Every session of Resonate was well-attended with audiences ranging from around 60 people for the more specialised events to around 150 for the sessions featuring Brent Hansen, Liz Kessler and Pete Chambers. Feedback from participants was unanimously positive:

'What a great idea. Not only did people get valuable information about what to expect from the music industry, but the UK talent took back with them New Zealand music in their hearts and in their briefcases.'

'Thank you for Resonate – an inspired idea and line-up. Congratulations! It’s not often one has the opportunity to receive fresh input or perspective in this line of work, so I for one really enjoyed the sessions.'

'Brilliant, thanks very much. I’m leaving 100 times more inspired to keep writing songs and actually doing something with them.'

For more information please see the Resonate website.