Friday, May 22, 2009

Choir of Hard Knocks, - New NAME

Media release
For immediate distribution
Thursday May 21st 2009

FROM HARD KNOCKS TO HOPE & INSPIRATION


After an 8 week long nation wide search for a new name, the Choir created by Jonathon Welch along with many of the original members of the Choir formerly known as the Choir of Hard Knocks will now be known as the Choir of Hope & Inspiration.

“With over 8,000 hits on our savethechoir.com website and hundreds of suggestions for our new name from all over Australia and as far as the USA, the common theme and sentiment that emerged for the Choir’s new name, along with the messages of support for the Choir members, was the sense of hope and inspiration the Choir Members have brought through their singing, given the amazing journey from their hard knocks beginning two and a half years ago” said Jonathon Welch, the Founding Music Director of the ARIA, Logie and Helpmann award winning Choir.

“I’m very proud of the Choir’s achievements and fully support their move to independence. Their new name,
Choir of Hope & Inspiration, is exactly what this Choir represents to so many Australians” said Jimmy Barnes, the Choir’s Patron since their humble beginnings in September 2006.

Originally formed in September 2006 by Jonathon Welch as the Choir of Hard Knocks for the ABC documentary of the same name, the story of 52 people with a range of disabilities including mental illness, physical and intellectual disability, brain acquired injury, depression, schizophrenia, drug and alcohol addiction and some experiencing homelessness came together one spring day at Central Hall in Fitzroy and went onto become an extraordinary musical phenomenon, reshaping how every Australian would think about the issues facing those we see experiencing disadvantage, forever.

Against the odds, the Choir went on to win a Logie for the Most Outstanding Factual Documentary, an ARIA Award for the Best Soundtrack from a Television program and a Helpmann Award for the Most Outstanding Special Event at the Sydney Opera in 2007, the Choir went onto perform in over 80 concerts at Parliament House, Canberra for the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Sydney Myer Music Bowl for Carols by Candlelight, the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) for the AFL Dream Team match, Hamer Hall with Kate Ceberano for the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and has been featured on Sixty Minutes , Mornings with Kerri-Anne, and has also received ARIA Platinum and Gold records for their first two CD’s.

“The journey for the Choir members themselves was more than just an amazing musical transformation though.
As they gained a sense of confidence, self esteem and pride through their involvement with the Choir many of the members returned to part time or fulltime study or work and have remained in close contact as an “alumni” and constant supporters as the Choir has kept singing” said Welch.

“But even more important than the music and singing for the Choir still today is the sense of community and belonging that the Choir members have found through coming together each week socially, and the Choir today is a “family”, albeit a musical one, bonded through their experiences and the pride and joy they share as they continue to give their magnificent voices to the world, bringing a positive “voice” to their Community, where they had been a silent and overlooked minority” Welch said.

Today, still with the committed and unswerving vision and passion of their Musical Director, Australian of the Year, 2008 Local Hero Dr Jonathon Welch, the journey of independence for the Choir from their early hard knocks beginnings to becoming what the public now believes they truly represent, the Choir of Hope & Inspiration along with the second Choir that is also a training troupe, the Choir of Pride & Joy of 70 plus singers, continue to rehearse every week and perform regularly throughout Victoria with plans to tour Australia, striving for what they have always dreamed and worked tirelessly to achieve with the support of an amazing staff and volunteer team of 30 choir “angels” – to change lives through their singing and be the best choir that they can be.

Although they have a wonderful new name, the Choir of Hope & Inspiration is looking for sponsors and donations to help them keep singing, along with anyone wanting to book the Choir to sing or join the Choir can contact them now at www.choirofhopeandinspiration.com.au.

For media enquiries regarding the launch and interviews contact: Di Rolle Publicity
0419 001 068 or di@dirolle.com
www.choirofhopeandinspiration.com
The Melbourne Street Choir Inc.
Organization Number: A0052669X ABN Number: 494 0599 2446

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Rehearsal for May 18th - Herb Greedy Hall

Reminder!!!

Dear Members of Sydney Pop Choir,


Tomorrow night's rehearsal - May 18th will be held at Herb Greedy Hall in Marrickville.

The usual theory/sight singing session will commence at 7pm and rehearsal at 7.30pm.

The address is
79 Petersham Road
Marrickville

see you there

............it'a all about the music

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Sally Whitwell - COMPOSER

Keep an eye on the link below to enjoy Sally Whitwell's musical compositions.



http://www.myspace.com/tigerfishgirlz

Two beautiful compositions by Sally Whitwell

Dear Members and Friends of Sydney Pop Choir,
Have a look at the myspace address listed below to see two compositions by very talented Musical Director of Sydney Pop choir - SALLY WHITWELL



hi folks :)
if you're interested.... i just uploaded two more new compositions. have a listen;
http://www.myspace.com/tigerfishgirlz
salx

Beautiful song by Sally

Hey everyone!!!

Have a look at this. It is a video of a song written by the very talented Musical Director of Sydney Pop Choir - Sally Whitwell.
Enjoy the song from this very talented lady



here's a video of a song i wrote and recorded recently.
hope you like it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgFkXvcZWs0
salx

Door In the Wall and Sydney Pop Choir Concert, "Love Is The Drug"

Event: Love is the Drug
"Door in the Wall & Sydney Pop Choir"
What: Concert
Host: Sydney Pop Choir
Start Time: Sunday, June 14 at 3:00pm
End Time: Sunday, June 14 at 5:00pm
Where: Petersham Town Hall
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=76723731394&mid=742a0aG5864bfe3G6134caG7
Thanks,
The Facebook Team

combined choirs

Hi folks,please have a look at this concert coming up on Saturday May 30th.Randwick Presbyterian Churchcorner of Belmore & Alison Rds Ranwick at 8pmChoirFest - featuring six choirs and groups including:The Randwick Proms ChoirThe Sydney French ChoirThe CleftomaniacsThe Fifth HouseThe Lugar Brae ChoirThe Cappucino Choir$35/$20Info at: http://www.thecleft omaniacs. com/Tickets: http://inconcerts. com.au/events. htmlcheersGary SmithThe Fifth HouseThe Cleftomaniacs

Monday, May 11, 2009

Details for May 18th rehearsal.

Dear Members of Sydney Pop Choir

Our next rehearsal Monday 18th May 2009 will be held at

Herb Greedy Hall
79 Petersham Road
Marrickville.

7.30pm - 10.00pm

Please listen to your midi files for "Allentown" and "Love For Sale" for next week's rehearsal at Herb Greedy hall.

Also go over the ones we are singing with Door In The Wall.

"THis Ol Hammer". "Brain Damage" "Farewell and Goodnight".

The remaining repertoire for the show on June 14th is.

Come fly with me, Fever/Light My Fire, I Want You back, Yakkety Yak, Space Oddity

...........it's all about the music (and midi files and practising)

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Important Dates for Your Diary

Hi members of Sydney Pop Choir

Here are some important dates for your diary.

Monday 11th May - (next Monday) rehearsal at Petersham Town Hall

Monday 18th May, 2009 rehearsal at Herb Greedy Hall

On Sunday 31st May we are having a sectional rehearsal to be held at Sally's place.

10.00am - 11.30am - Tenors & Basses
12 noon - 1.30pm - Sopranos
2.00pm - 3.30pm - Altos

The address is 238 Parramatta Road Stanmore. Nearest cross street is Percival Road. There is usually parking outside Sally's place or across the road - if not then park in a side street.

Monday 8th June 2009 -Queen's birthday Public Holiday -yes rehearsal is on at Petersham Town Hall.

Sunday 14th June - our combined concert with "Door In The Wall" at Petersham Town Hall.

Sunday 21st June, 2009 next recording session for our CD at Trackdown Studios, Entertainment Quarter Fox Studios.

............it's' all about the music

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Blackheath Choral Festival

Don't forget to check your emails to vote on your two preferences for which session you'd prefer to sing in, at Blackheath this year.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Updated SPC calendar

An updated calendar will be issued once the choir has voted on the extra rehearsal date for the June 14th show. (ie. 17th or 31st May)

it's all about the music

Proposed repertoire for joint concert 14/6/09

Hi members of Sydney Pop Choir

Here is some information about our upcoming combined concert with Door In the Wall. June 14th 2009.

Proposed repertoire

1) come fly with me
2) fever/light my fire
3) love for sale
4) i want you back
5) allentown
6) yakety yak
7) space oddity
also joint numbers, which are going to be all things we know already. hooray for that!
1) this old hammer
2) brain damage
3) farewell and goodnight"

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