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Jonathon at the Logies with Adam Hills |
May 2008
THE CHOIR OF HARD KNOCKS DOCUMENTARY WINS LOGIE
What an honour it was to represent The Choir of Hard Knocks as their Founding Music Director at the 2008 TV Week Logie Awards. The ABC documentary on the Choir won the Logie for Most Outstanding Factual Program. The Choir is so excited about their award and – as I said in my acceptance speech – they were the stars of the show! There were no actors and no scripts – just their beautiful honest stories that they told with such courage and diginity. They are truly an inspiration to myself and everyone that they come into contact with who hears their music.
The amazing story of the Choir of Hard Knocks continues to inspire everyone that has not only seen and heard the Choir perform, but who watched the TV documentary go to air just one year ago. Sunday 4 May 2008 saw the Choir of Hard Knocks make television history as it was awarded one of the industry's most prestigious awards: a Logie for the Most Outstanding Factual Documentary.
To receive the award, proud Founding Music Director, Jonathon Welch, was invited by the ABC to accept the award on behalf of everyone that was involved with all aspects of the making of the documentary.
There was no-one prouder than Adam Hills from Spicks and Specks (pictured) of the magnificent achievement of the Choir members, Jonathon, RecLink and the ABC. Adam said that the Choir of Hard Knocks "was not only the best television made in 2007, it inspired the whole nation with its honesty and courage".
In Jonathon's own words: "The true stars of the show were the Choir members themselves, and this Award belongs to every person who has experienced homelessness or disadvantage, and it is for you that we sing." Jonathon also wanted to say that television can do a great of good in the world, and the Choir of Hard Knocks did exactly that, and also left a legacy to the Community at large.
On behalf of Jonathon, all the Choir members, staff and volunteers of RecLink Australia, we would like to thank everyone who was responsible for the creation of the TV documentary, and everyone that has continued to support us and encourage the members to keep striving for their goals and their dreams as we head for our second birthday in September – we could not have done it without your love and support! |
May 2008
CHOIR RECORDS WITH DAMIEN LEITH AND PERFORMS FOR THE DREAM TEAM
It's been a very busy few weeks for the Choir of Hard Knocks, recording with last year's Australian Idol, Damien Leith for his latest album. On Saturday 10 May the Choir sang the Australian national anthem at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of the 70,000 strong crowd of AFL fans at the Dream Team match! You are welcome to download our recording of the national anthem to use at your next event or school assembly. We love sharing our music with you! |
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The Choir looks very happy late last year having finished their recording of 'Silent Night' at Sing Sing Studios with Jimmy Barnes for the Myer Christmas CD. |
December 2007
SONGS OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION
On 1st December 2007 the Choir of Hard Knocks appeared in a special concert at the Vodafone Arena in Melbourne. Joining us, as we sang songs from our new CD, were guest artists including the fabulous Judith Durham.
Following the unprecedented success of their first commercial album, the Choir of Hard Knocks presents a fresh selection of songs which will inspire and amaze you all over again. These homeless and disadvantaged men and women have found new purpose and a new sense of self-worth through music. Their courage, hope, pride and detemination, together with the irresistible energy and joy of their singing, will touch your heart as they are joined by Guest artists Deborah Cheetham, Timothy McCallum, Karen Knowles and the Choir's Patron – Jimmy Barnes!
Track Listing
- You Gotta Be
- Shackles
- Dali Mana Gamarada – with Deborah Cheetham
- Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho
- Imagine – with Karen Knowles
- Nocturne in E minor, Op. 72 No. 1
- Love Changes Everything – with Timothy McCallum
- Sing/Ode to Joy/Hallelujah Chorus
- Beautiful
- The Special Two – with Belinda Foxwell
- Climb Every Mountain/Somewhere – with Jonathon Welch
- Joy to the World/ Go Tell It on the Mountain
- Heart and Soul to your La!
- You Can't Always Get What You Want – Jimmy Barnes
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August 2007
GOING FROM GOLD TO PLATINUM!
The Choir of Hard Knocks continued to go from strength to strength after three sellout concerts at the Sydney Opera House in July, receiving not only a gold record for the sales of their CD, but news on 2nd August that the CD had gone platinum, selling over 80,000 copies!
 The Choir rehearses twice a week to keep up with the demands of the performance schedule leading up to Christmas, and was busy recording a second CD released to coincide with the ABC TV special shown on Sunday 25th November.
Left: After the Choir of Hard Knocks finished their third stunning sellout concert in the Concert Hall of Sydney's magnificent Opera House, the Choir took time out to enjoy all that Sydney had to offer, finishing with a Harbour Cruise and a trip to see 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert'! |
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July 2007
CHOIR OF HARD KNOCKS – MY STORY
As you might know my latest and most exciting project has been the formation of the Choir of Hard Knocks in Melbourne, which was the subject of an ABC observational documentary in May and June. See www.abc.net.au/tv/hardknocks.
From day one, all the members of the Choir of Hard Knocks have been a joy to work with, along with the amazing crew at the ABC who followed my journey and those of many of the Choir members. For me – it is the beginning of a story of the triumph of human spirit of these wonderful people – I feel so proud to call them my friends now.
It has always been my fervent belief that to be recognised, appreciated and applauded for what we do in life has to be the essence of any human being's sense of self respect and self worth.
It has given me the greatest pleasure to help create the "pebble in the pond" that is the Choir of Hard Knocks, to watch all the lovely friendships that have been formed, the confidence and self esteem that many of the members have found (to their amazement) through the acknowledgement of their hard work and contribution, and to confirm that music not only serves the highest of purposes of bringing joy into people's lives, but gives them the chance to express themselves in a way that helps them experience one of life's great natural highs.
Right: With me proudly holding our gold record for the Choir of Hard Knocks CD are Choir Manager Esther Coleman-Hawkins and David O'Halloran.
To this end I am delighted to report that the Choir of Hard Knocks is now a "family" albeit a musical one, where everyone looks forward to our regular weekly rehearsals (still on Wednesdays at the beautiful new Brotherhood of St Lawrence Centre on Hoddle Street in Collingwood), full of energy and excitement as we prepare for even more wonderful performances in the coming months!
Help support the Choir of Hard Knocks and the wonderful work that Reclink do with all their other sporting and recreational activities around Melbourne and now in Alice Springs.
Left: The Choir of Hard Knocks sings before 2,200 people at the AFL Grand Final breakfast! |
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