Bars are closed and venues are shutting their doors.

But thatSA国际影视传媒檚 not stopping NWT musicians from having their voices heard amid the COVID-19 crisis.

In a bid to spread awareness, more than half a dozen artists in the territory have submitted half-a-minute jingles as a part of an initiative, dubbed the Radio Ad Writing Contest, led by Music NWT 鈦燬A国际影视传媒� an effort to drive home the importance of social distancing as health measures ramp up in response to the novel coronavirus.

Trevor Sinclair is the president of Music NWT.

After being approached by the GNWT about ways to get important messages out to NWT residents, he suggested creating a contest that would let artists in the territory display their talent SA国际影视传媒� while emphasizing the need to practise social distancing.

SA国际影视传媒淟etSA国际影视传媒檚 keep it short and punchy so people will receive the message,SA国际影视传媒� Sinclair, a musician himself, told SA国际影视传媒.

SA国际影视传媒淭here's a lot of people sitting at home with not much to do SA国际影视传媒� whether youSA国际影视传媒檙e a new, emerging or established artist,SA国际影视传媒� said Sinclair.

SA国际影视传媒淚 love that we have kids and families that donSA国际影视传媒檛 normally do this throwing something out there,SA国际影视传媒� he added.

So far, the response has been SA国际影视传媒渁mazing,SA国际影视传媒� said Sinclair. As of Friday, musiciansSA国际影视传媒� videos posted to the Music NWT Facebook page have racked up over 17,000 views, stretching across the globe, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淩ight now you donSA国际影视传媒檛 get to go out to a bar to listen to your favourite band or go down to the Snowcastle to listen to the new bands. So this is another way to get music out into the world and keep our musicians engaged and contributing to the community,SA国际影视传媒� said Sinclair.
SA国际影视传媒淲e can still be a community, we can still create, we can still share, support musicians and musicians can support the community.

SA国际影视传媒淢usicians have a lot to contribute to the community SA国际影视传媒� we have great ways of sending out messages, and music is something that impacts everybody,SA国际影视传媒� he continued.

Sinclair stressed that the initiative wouldn't be possible without the support of the GNWT and other committed sponsors.

The first place winner will receive $1,000, the runner-up will get $600, and the third-place winner will pocket $500, said Sinclair. A $400 prize will be dolled out to an honourable mention.

Grace Clark is on of the many musicians who have submitted songs.

SA国际影视传媒淚 wanted to participate in this contest because itSA国际影视传媒檚 important to support Music NWT and I think this is a great idea to bring everyone together and connect everyone in this time during this time amid the pandemic,SA国际影视传媒� said Clark.

SA国际影视传媒淢y family and I wrote together because weSA国际影视传媒檙e all isolating together and so itSA国际影视传媒檚 about including everyone: Elders, our grandparents, our aunties or cousins. including those with compromised immune system."

Watch her video here: