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Choir of Hard Knocks 10th Anniversary Concert

by Suzanne Yanko 17th August, 2016
by Suzanne Yanko 17th August, 2016

Many years ago Melbourne heard The Choir of Hard Knocks and immediately took it to its heart so that, recently, Hamer Hall was packed with faithful followers of director Jonathon Welch and his choirs for this Choir’s 10th anniversary concert.  The history of the Choir is well known, but this was a time to remember its emergence and its popularity through the ABC series it starred in. Many of the original members of the choir are still part of it, and it was it exciting and gratifying to hear of their successes, while also welcoming new members to the stage.

As Welch said, “We made it!” There was great applause as the Choir filed on, a couple of singers in wheelchairs. The audience was disposed to love everything, and the arrival of Clarko brought the applause to fever pitch, so the choice of “Love is in the Air” was apt, lifted with the accompaniment of just piano, guitar and drums. Then came, “Don’t you know you’re alive?”, the clapping and foot-stamping in the Hall providing an emphatic answer to the question.

Indigenous opera singer Deborah Cheetham was a striking figure in her black gown, but seemed entirely comfortable on stage with the Choir of Hard Knocks. Her Welcome to Country, “Womin Jeka” was performed with a depth of feeling that set the tone for this concert. As Cheetham said, there had been songs in this place for more then 1000 generations, and this was a welcome back from a long journey. Clapping sticks and bird sounds enhanced the sense of history, but it was more recent history that was being celebrated on this night.

The solemn nature of the choir and its origin in homelessness was put aside for some time to allow for a bit of fun. And so we had the musical, My Fair Label, the story of a family that loses everything – but in this case with plenty of laughs, especially when Welch asked the audience to imagine he was Kate Ceberano!  Welch sang with his characteristic resonance and clarity, and was followed by Danielle Matthews, pretty in red, charming the audience with ‘’God bless the Child”, to strong and enthusiastic support from the choir.  Next came an acknowledgement of the choir “angels”, volunteers who support them in many ways, including their travels.

Typical of the evening were anecdotes, tributes and catch-ups with choir members we knew.  A highlight was the appearance of Bruce Woodley, one of the original Seekers, with his song “I am Australian”. Given recent events its chorus of “I am, you are, we are Australian”, had a particular resonance, and yet was tinged with some regret (perhaps at our failure to truly live out this aspiration).  Woodley’s own sincerity, however, was never in question, and the song received a spontaneous standing ovation.

After the interval there was a Happy Birthday song from the Choir of No Names in London. The Choir of Hard Knocks had been the inspiration for this and other choirs around the world, we were told. There was an acknowledgement for Levi McGrath, assistant conductor, and a song about the floods written by the choir, strongly making the point that charity comes from all directions, and those in need can have the greatest empathy.  Pat Croft’s singing “Little things mean a lot” was greeted with a respectful silence in the hall, while there was a noisier affirmation for a tribute for Welch himself, as he was called “the most genuine person … with a loving heart”.  Another aspect of Welch’s talents was his composition “I can”, with the modulation handled well.

Mark Holden wrote “We are blessed” for the choir, an upbeat, slightly evangelical song. But the honours had to go to David Hobson and his rendition of “The impossible dream”, in a voice that has only got better over the years.  The moment all had been waiting for came as the choir sang Leonard Cohen’s classic, “Hallelujah”. The song has as much power as it ever did ten years ago, and there was hardly a dry eye in the house as it was teamed with “Glory, Glory Hallelujah (or “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”). Whoever thought of that arrangement should have been given particular applause. It was an inspiration.

Welch has other choirs around Victoria and many of his singers joined The Choir of Hard Knocks on stage for “You’re the voice”. The sound had the power of any large group of singers, but there was also a symbolism in people from different backgrounds joining together to make music.  Hobson and Welch’s duet, “Shout” was the tour de force that appropriately ended the night. There is no doubt at all that Welch and his The Choir of Hard Knocks have plenty to shout about: its members have emerged from the hard knocks that used to be their daily reality, through the hope and inspiration that music brings, to a choir with plenty to shout about!  And that doesn’t look like ending any time soon.

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1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

Program Franz Schubert Schwanengesang D 957 Songmakers Australia Schubert’s last song cycle was published after his untimely death at the age of…

Free
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

A performance of cherished works and Gallic beauty. About the artists Seraphim Trio is as much a lifelong friendship as a…

$40 – $50

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1 event, 3

11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

Riveting passion balanced with delicate lyricism. About the artists Scottish born James Crabb is widely regarded as one of the world’s…

$42 – $49

0 events, 4

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1 event, 6

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

World-renowned violinist Ray Chen makes his long-awaited return to Australia with some of the most demanding, impressive, and emotionally riveting works…

$65.55 – $159

2 events, 7

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

Join Flinders Quartet for the sumptuous romanticism and grandeur of Brahms, and the ingenuity and wit of Haydn. Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba -…

$29 – $38
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

Corpus Medicorum Rebirth 2022 Concert Series. Artists Charlotte Miles cellist Keith Crellin OAM conductor Program Edward Elgar Cello Concerto, Op.85 Antonín Dvořák Symphony No.7…

$10 – $60

1 event, 8

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

A journey to the corners of human experience with Schubert’s Schwanengesang. About the artists Stewart Kelly is one of Australia’s most sought-after…

$40 – $50

0 events, 9

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1 event, 11

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

Innovative arrangements, technical flair and superb playing. About the artists Melbourne Guitar Quartet have carved out a reputation for curating utterly…

$40 – $50

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3 events, 14

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

$25 – $56
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s third concert of the year takes us through works by Benjamin Britten, Don Bank, and…

Free
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

$25 – $56

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1 event, 20

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

"Real and Right and True" - a celebration of the art song tradition of Australia and the United Kingdom. Lotte Betts-Dean,…

$10 – $35

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3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

The Friends of the Auburn Tower Inc presents Wanderlust, featuring Elyane Laussade, piano, and Luke Severn, bass baritone, in a musical…

$20 – $35
August 1
August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

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August 3
August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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August 6
August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

August 7
August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 8
August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

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August 11
August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 14
August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 20
August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

September 4
September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

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August 14
August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

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August 20
August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

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September 4
September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

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