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http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/heartfelt-songs-lift-spirits/2009/07/19/1247941826000.html http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25810025-16947,00.html http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2007/s2126720.htm http://www.abc.net.au/cgi-bin/common/printfriendly.pl?http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/nsw/content/2006/s2636030.htm
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Mark
Colvin presents PM Listen
listen here the spirit of things look at pics here
Fran Kelly Breakfast Radio listen here
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To
sing is a simple act - it doesn’t cost anything and just about
anybody can do it. And yet its capacity to reap powerful rewards makes
it one of life’s true wonders. Using the simple art of song, a group of homeless and disadvantaged men and women in Sydney are literally singing their troubles away. They
make up the Sydney Street Choir, a group formed five years ago to give
the less fortunate in our society a chance to have fun, feel good
about themselves and form friendships. As
choir director Peter Lehner says, “Singing is a release. The
people that join our rehearsals always feel better afterwards.” Renowned Australian opera singer Jonathon Welch, who was inspired by a similar venture in Canada, founded the Sydney Street Choir in 2002 and has recently set up a sister act in Melbourne with the Choir of Hard Knocks. |
The
Sydney Street Choir continues under the tutelage of Peter Lehner who takes the
group for twice-weekly rehearsals and on average, a gig once a fortnight.
The
Tuesday rehearsal, held at Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, is a good,
old-fashioned jam session, that is all about inspiring people to have a great
sing-a-long and belt out some old favourites from the 50s and 60s. The Friday
rehearsal is more technical in nature, allowing a core group of eleven members
the opportunity to learn harmonies, practise new songs and give their voices a
good work out.
The statistics tell us that the issue of homelessness cannot be swept under the carpet. One in every 200 Australians are homeless and each night 100,000 Australians do not have a place to call home.
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In
addition to a lack of housing, homeless people face adversity in the
form of mental health issues or addictive behaviours, as well as
suffering mistreatment on the streets through assault and robbery. The
Sydney Street Choir is a refuge where people can feel safe and be
themselves. It also gives them a sense of community that they might
not experience otherwise. “The
opposite of homelessness is community,”
said Peter. “We get people here that usually go out busking on their own. We get them to lead the others through their songs and we all clap along. Rather than be isolated out busking, they want to come back the next week.” |
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Unlike
similar choirs that stick to well-known tunes, the Sydney Street Choir is
committed to song writing and performing original songs. Peter has held song
writing workshops and choir members regularly bring in poems they have written
or tunes they’ve dreamt up.
“They
have important voices,” said Peter of
the choir members. “As people that don’t have a voice in society, this
is a great avenue of expression for them.”
“And
they are uplifting songs, about teamwork, love and nature. I’ve found that
when they sing their own and each other’s songs, the lift and release from
singing is much greater. It’s like singing affirmations.”
The Sydney Street Choir has performed at many notable venues, including the Sydney Opera House, and recently embarked on its first tour to Melbourne to join The Choir of Hard Knocks in a performance at the Melbourne Town Hall.
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They
plan to travel to Brisbane later this year and hopefully Uluru in
2008. They are also working on their first album, which will feature
all original material. Peter says the core members of the choir are
becoming more committed. “They
love singing and all of this activity comes from their demand. They
are excited about planning more tours and writing more songs. They are
behind it all,” he said. It takes time to organise tours and produce CDs and their goals are somewhat thwarted by the high turnover of members. While some go off the rails, even the committed core members move on at some stage. But as Peter says, it is usually for a good cause – work. They reach a level of stability in their lives that gives them an opportunity to return to the workforce. Even a few have gone on to study music at TAFE – a direct result of their experience in the Sydney Street Choir. |
“Long
term, you see improvements in people’s lives,” said Peter of his role in the choir. “Whole lives
change. They are happier.”
By
Sarah Johnson at
Intrinsic
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