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HIDDEN FACES –
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THE BATTLE LINES ARE SET
9 June 2008: Seven's judging line-up for Battle of the Choirs – Jonathon Welch, Iva Davies, Charli Delaney and George Torbay – will crown Australia's top choir
Jonathon Welch's first experience of singing was as a child in a small church choir with his mother playing the organ. "It was then that I, and other people, discovered I had this voice, a little boy soprano," he says. Welch, best known as the founder and leader of the Choir Of Hard Knocks, says it was also when he realised the power, sense of community and joy that came from singing with a group.
"Music is a leveller and it transcends all barriers of religion, race, creed, sexuality, equality – you name it," he says. "It unifies people and there's something very primal about people using the sound from their own body to express themselves."
As part of Seven's new talent contest, Battle Of The Choirs, Welch will further his advocacy of choral singing by co-judging 16 community choirs from across Australia, competing for $100,000 and a recording deal. The show is hosted by David Koch and the other judges are musician Iva Davies, former Hi-5 member Charli Delaney and choral music aficionado George Torbay.
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| The judges for Battle of the Choirs (L–R): Jonathon Welch, Iva Davies, Charli Delaney and George Torbay |
Welch says the show differs from other TV talent contests. "This is not one of those shows where you have celebrities up there trying to conquer dancing or singing," he says. "This is everyday people from the community coming together to make music. With community choirs you've got doctors standing next to students standing next to someone who's unemployed standing next to a grandmother. I see such a wonderfully positive chance to extol not only the virtues of music and singing but the great thing this does in the community."
Fusty notions of elderly members singing dirge-like hymns will be challenged too. The 16 choirs range in style from a capella, barbershop, gospel, jazz, soul, classical and pop. They must tackle songs by Meatloaf, Kiss, AC/DC, Scissor Sisters, Kylie Minogue and Stevie Wonder, among others. They will also be given "mystery challenges", with choirs allowed 30 minutes to prepare a performance of a surprise song.
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| The faces of Battle of the Choirs (L–R): Jonathon Welch, Charli Delaney, David Koch, Iva Davies and George Torbay |
Producer Stevie K. Murray says the competing choirs are remarkably diverse. "There are some choirs that are made up of the most unlikely blokes you could possibly imagine," Murray says.
"Roadside workers, construction workers, you name it, all coming together to sing. There's one guy, just a young chap about 22, who lives in the country and he does a return trip of five hours to do choir practice that lasts 90 minutes. He's driving more than he's singing."
Groups include successful youth choirs, an amalgamation of a city and a country choir, a group of disadvantaged people and a group of boys who wanted to continue singing after their voices had broken. Welch says they will be judged on a combination of their singing, appearance, choreography, passion for the music and sense of collective enjoyment. "It's not just the choral and musical sound that I'm listening to," he says. "It's how they connect to what they're singing about. When the Choir Of Hard Knocks sings a song like Hallelujah, it might not necessarily be technically the most perfect performance but what they're able to bring about in the realisation of that amazing poetry Leonard Cohen wrote is very special. I will be looking for that special moment when the hair stands up on the back of my neck, when you know it's transcended the music or the words on the page."
As with other reality shows, Battle Of The Choirs will follow individual stories and struggles of some choir members. "It's the make-up of each individual that creates the collective," Welch says. "How they exist and the struggles that some of them go through for their love of singing."
Ultimately, however, the emphasis will be on the group. "One big message I've been getting from the members is, 'I'm not doing this to be the best, I don't want to be the soloist, this is about coming together with my friends and singing,"' Murray says. "There is something so disarming about a group of people who don't necessarily have something in common being brought together in this brotherhood of song."
– Lenny Ann Low
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AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS
I am deeply honoured to have been awarded the Australian of the Year Local Hero for 2008 by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd and you – the people of Australia. To all those that nominated me for this wonderful award and to all those who have supported and given me such inspiration for the work that I do, thank you for the honour of being able to make my contribution to the country that I love and has given me so much in return.
Below is the speech I made accepting the beautiful glass artwork with my name proudly engraved under the two verses of the Australian national anthem:
"I am deeply honoured to receive this award for my work in the music industry supporting the homeless, disadvantaged, gay and broader communities, but even prouder to be standing here tonight as an Australian.
"We can no longer accept homelessness or inequality, legally or morally – in any form, in this magnificent country in the 21st Century. Mental illness, depression, substance and sexual abuse, along with isolation is at epidemic proportions and lies at the cause of many of the issues that we face today – intervention through education is essential for us to assist and understand – along with increased funding – but it is everyone’s responsibility to take ownership as a nation of people that can help ourselves, to help those who can't.
"We have it within our power to fix these problems – each and every one of us – if we work together!
"Charity must begin not just at home, but in the home and on the streets – in our hearts – as well as our pockets.
"Let’s return to a society that connects through caring about our neighbours – and all human beings for that matter – regardless of race, creed, colour, or sexual orientation – and show the world that the values of love and compassion are the hallmark of what it is to be Australian.
"To everyone that has supported me in my journey – my teachers, friends in life and music, family – in particular my wonderful partner Matt, my beautiful Choir of Hard Knocks members and RecLink Australia – along with all the other nominees and every person that works with the indigent and marginalised communities – you are my heroes– and I’m proud to accept this award on your behalf."
WITH A SONG IN MY HEART
I'm thrilled with my new CD, With a Song in My Heart. With piano by Stephen Blackburn and produced and distributed by ABC Classics, it contains many of my all-time favourites! This is what the ABC had to say:
"From sharing the stage with Joan Sutherland to winning the heart of a nation with his Choir of Hard Knocks, tenor Jonathon Welch is an inspiration to all Australians. Winner of Limelight’s Music Personality of the Year award and the Victorian of the Year Local Hero for 2007, Jonathon’s role as motivator to the homeless and disadvantaged made him a household name thanks to the ABC TV series The Choir of Hard Knocks. Now with a platinum album and an ARIA award under the choir’s belt, Jonathon took some time out of his busy schedule to record his own album of songs which have inspired him on his personal journey.
"With tracks from musical theatre to Stevie Wonder, and even one of his own compositions, Jonathon presents a heart-felt album with wide appeal ... the perfect Christmas gift."
Songs on the CD include:
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You can buy the album online at www.abcshop.com.au