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VIDEO |
Members of The Sydney Street Choir are homeless or
disadvantaged men and women. An initiative of Founding Director Jonathon Welch,
who obtained funding through South Sydney Council
in October 2001, the choir
has performed on various TV shows, Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Conference
Centre, and regularly visit hospitals and charity organisations. Recently they visited the Choir of Hard
Knocks to join them on stage at Melbourne Town Hall. |
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The choir
has an important voice lyrically, and a unique, transformational effect on those
participating in their engaging performances or open, friendly rehearsals. |
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Choir Director Peter Lehner says music can be a form of therapy by lifting people out of depression and breaking isolation. He says the turnover rate of members is high with many participants being rehabilitated into mainstream society. More than 75% of members leave because they’ve gotten back into the work force, or they’ve gone to study full-time, and can no longer attend daytime rehearsals. Musical Therapy is an established health care profession that uses
musical techniques to assist and motivate people towards non-musical goals,
addressing physical, psychological, cognitive and social behavioural patterns. |
ALAN: "I am in recovery from mental & spiritual health problems. The choir has really helped as my only creative outlet. I can now say I can sing well, and my self image and esteem has been lifted. It brings me friendship and joy, and I love spreading that joy." |
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Having a talent for singing,
or an ear for music, is not a prerequisite for joining. |
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Recently the choir recorded their most inspirational and thought provoking songs on CD. The choir toured from Darwin to Uluru in August 2008, performing along the way for disadvantaged communities in NT. The choir is fundraising for more tours at present.
Transcript from PM by Jennifer Macey for ABC Radio National
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I introduced Joanne to the choir 5 years ago. She
liked coming to the choir. She loved singing. She's up there with Slim
Dusty, Michael Jackson, Don Lane, Peter Brock, and Brian Stoney from the
Cana Community. She loved the Northern Territory trip. She'll be sadly
missed. Thank you Jo for being a friend and for asking me to
come back You've been a long-time friend since 79. You were
always there. Still in my heart I love you forever I knew Jo for 10 years. When I first met her, her
daughter Niki was a new born. From that time on, Jo's whole life revolved
around Niki one way or another. We shared a lot of special times
together at David's Place, Kellyville and Bundeena. She brought life and
enthusiasm to our outings and to the prayer group. Joanne became a
friend of many people at Kellyville and was dearly loved by them. I know
that I'll miss Jo very much. For many of us at David's Place life will
never be the same. Thank you Jo for sharing your life with us all. Jo was like the choir's own Kylie Minogue. She was
funny and warm, she spoke beautifully and sang her soprano part with
gusto and great memory. She was a beautiful soul and her light will
still be felt amongst us. I'm very sad. The angels are lucky to have
her singing with them for now. I'm glad we did the journey together My heart will always go out to you. You'll always be
in my prayers. Ever since I've been in the choir you've given me
inspiration to go on. You're a lovely person with a beautiful voice and will
be missed greatly Thanks for being a lovely friend. We'll miss your
voice You will always be looking over your little girl now Sadly missed. You've always been
supportive. Rest well beautiful lady. Live in
love. I know your golden wings are
flying and you're singing is with us in harmony and love I loved her dearly. I miss
her immensely. She was my partner in harmony. |
Elvis
rocks the streets of Sydney
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You
would expect a cast of colourful characters in the Sydney Street Choir
and long-time Elvis fan Geoffrey Hooper doesn’t disappoint. The King lives on thanks to Geoffrey, nicknamed “Elvis” by his choir colleagues, who often gives the final solo performance at gigs – a gospel song made famous by Elvis. “Every time we get a standing ovation and they want us to do more songs,” said Geoffrey. “Someone once called out ‘Look at Elvis go’ and my face went red and I got goose bumps. It is overwhelming for me.” |
The
adrenalin rush of performing for the Sydney Street Choir would be incentive
enough for many to keep coming back. And yet for Geoffrey, aged 47, it is the
sense of family and support that ensures his total commitment to the group.
“I’ve
got that support there, they’re right behind me 100 per cent,” he said. “I’ve never had that in my life before.”
Geoffrey’s story of homelessness began at the age of four, when he was placed in a boy’s home due to his parent’s marriage breakdown. He was in and out of boy’s homes until he turned sixteen, when he faced the tough reality of making a life without any friends or family and with few literacy skills - he learnt to write in his 40s.
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In
late 2000, Geoffrey was reunited with his father, whom he hadn’t
seen since he was a small boy, but tragically his Dad died in
Geoffrey’s arms just a year later. “I went down hill after
that,” recalls Geoffrey. “I hit alcohol bad and gambling
and I spent four years in jail through aggravated assault.”
Since his release from prison, he has been able to begin his life
afresh and with renewed hope through the collective help of Charles
O’Neill House, HopeStreet and the Sydney Street Choir, which
Geoffrey joined last year after meeting Peter Lehner. Geoffrey is one of the core members of the Sydney Street Choir and attends meetings on both Tuesday and Friday. As a karaoke enthusiast, singing in front of others doesn’t daunt him. In fact he revels in the opportunity to bring joy to others through singing. The choir regularly rehearses for disabled people at a Sydney health centre and Geoffrey says: “They enjoy the rehearsal and I enjoy seeing the smiles on their faces. It’s amazing.” |
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For
perhaps the first time in his life, Geoffrey holds hope for his future and
even has goals in mind. “My main goal is to go travelling with the
Sydney Street Choir more often, so that I can help other homeless people get
back on their feet and put smiles on their faces. I want to make something of
my life.”
“I
now feel like I’ve got 100 per cent ability to go forward and not go back
anymore.”
By
Sarah Johnson fom Intrinsic
Pictured
right: Geoffrey 'Elvis'
Hooper; Pictured left: Geoffrey (second from right, back row)
and his fellow choir members
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Hi, I’m Paul and I once was Homeless. I would be honoured to introduce you to the greatest bunch of people that I have ever had the pleasure to have sung with; The Sydney Street Choir. The Sydney Street Choir changed my life! It helps people express themselves and find themselves through music and singing. Not only that but we also touch the hearts, minds and souls of the people who come to watch our performances. We know what it is like going through challenging times.
Each of us has had our fair share of ups and downs. Through the Choir we
find mutual support and a platform for self expression that helps us feel
true love. |
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"I have been in the choir since 2001. I am a
kiss fan as well as a Grand Prix fan. I love being a star"
"Getting myself up out of a rut and also having somewhere to sing and
write songs without the problems of singing in public spaces. Somewhere to go
for teamwork." |
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"I am in recovery from mental & spiritual health problems. The choir
has really helped as my only creative outlet. I can now say I can sing well, and
my self image and esteem has been lifted. It brings me friendship and joy, and I
love spreading that joy."
"I've enjoyed singing since I was a young girl. It's been great to be in
the choir. Music & singing have been special in my life" |
 to watch a short video of abc reporter jennifer macey |
 to watch a short video of cardinal pell on youtube |
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"Gives me a chance to participate in something. I am not working and
have no talent for anything else"
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" In 2002 I found out about the Sydney Street Choir in the Big Issue
Australia magazine. I wanted to learn more about singing and developing as a
singer. I feel really great singing with the other choir members. I have lived
on the streets for twelve years. I am stolen generation and was taken at 3 yrs
old. When I was growing up I felt there was something different about me. In
2003 I met my birth mother and her name was Betty Leon. I found out that I had
nine sisters but I never knew an of them until April 2003 when I went to a
religious rally at Redfern Block. On the 2nd night I sat next to an Aboriginal
woman who offered me something to eat. I told her I was looking for my birth
family. IT WAS A MIRACLE !! She knew 2 of my sisters and a coupla days later
brought one of my sisters to meet me. So far I have met 6 sisters, and yet my
journey has just begun as I recover my lost history and culture." |
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“I'm meeting some nice new people,
and enjoying their company, and it's really good. It's helping me to cope with
some issues I've had to deal with in my life. I'm very grateful that I have some
opportunities coming my way.”
"The choir explained to me that I
actually do have a singing voice! In fact a double bass voice!! Taking on
responsibilities in the choir has given me more confidence, clarity in speech
and a focus on community rather than self at the age of 64!"
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"I like music & love to perform. I'm here because my addiction is
Abuse Attracts Abuse, and in this life thats all I attract, Use and Abuse.
Because I am poor there is no where else to go. I can blow my brains out like
Van Gogh, as in this world there is no place for the poor.
Coming to choir is somewhere I can escape my addiction, so for the poor this is
the best available for me to enjoy music" "The choir has made me a feel a
lot more confident and greatly lifted my self esteem. It’s great to know I
have a family that’s given me more encouragement and inspiration to sing, and
has helped me in the lord’s work too!" |
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The Sydney Street Choir
turned Librans born on October 16 are peace-loving individuals who can meet tough challenges. These engaging men and women have an almost childlike love of the spontaneous gesture. Further, they have the ability to judge others in a wise yet kindly way. They have a strong humanitarian streak.
Friends and Lovers
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