Thanks very much for the update. It’s great to see the Choir is still going strong. It’s such an amazing story and you are truly an inspiration for not only getting it started but for continuing it as well.

I’m the author of this blog (ie Life, Laughs & Lemmings) and am based in Australia but many of my readers are from elsewhere (predominantly the US). We’re a fairly international lot and I’m lucky to have such a fantastic community here.

Thanks again for stopping by Jonathon. So great to have you visit!

I have just seen your comments and read your beautiful, kind words (I have an automatic Google search that brings any new postings for the Choir automatically to me).

I thought you might like an update on how the choir is doing….they are no singing under the Hard Knocks name…and are now called the Choir of Hope & Inspiration…..the choice the choir made along with hundreds of suggestions that came from the Australian public a few months ago, as that’s how they see themselves today given all they have been through as a Choir and what they want to represent moving forward.

I am truly humbled by your praise and yes – creating and working with the Choir nearly 3 years on in September…has been my greatest joy and the happiest moments of my life – I am the lucky one indeed to call them my friends and have the honour of leading them!

Can you tell me – where are you emailing from…it sounds like it’s not Australia?

Anyway….if you do want to support the Choir please go to our new website (not the Choir of Hard Knocks or RecLink….the choir no longer exists under that name)…..we really need your support to keep singing…and spread the word!

My love and best wishes to you all…and I hope you all are finding your joy as much as we are when we sing!

Jonathon

So you’re telling me there’s hope for me yet? Woohoo!! And you’re so right, singing is great for the soul. Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you back here again.

Thanks so much for sharing this, reading your post and watching the youtube video of the choir’s performance has just brought everything that I’ve been reading about this Choir’s journey in the book alive! I just sat and cried watching the performance of “The Special Two.”
Jonathan Welch is truly an inspiring man,so much love and compassion for people. Being as talented as he is he could’ve had a high flying career in music theatre or opera, but chose to help a group of disadvantaged people find meaning in life through song.

I highly recommend you read this book “Choir Man.” I will write a review on it and post it to my blog soon and I’ll link it to this post.

Please check it out at http://www.lollipopsnspinach.com

By the way, I’m also a singing teacher so let me say that though you may not have been “blessed with a fantastic singing voice” anyone can learn to sing well. As you can testify yourself with the Choir of Hard Knocks story. I know because I’ve taught many a tone-deaf person to sing! =) So, keep singing! It keeps the soul well!

Cheers!
Kerri

Thanks very much for visiting. Hope to see you back here amongst the craziness!

I’m new to your blog and am so glad I came across this post. One of my passions is to encourage people to sing – even those who think they can’t! We all have musical ability, and it doesn’t have to be a voice like an angel to be powerful and transformational. Sing in the shower, in the car, with your friends, to your kids – just sing and sing proudly. Your soul will soar and a smile will break through, guaranteed!

Thank you for the information on the Choir of Hard Knocks. I was familiar with the Young@Heart choir, so this is another nice surprise.

Looking forward to more of your posts.

Best,

Veronica
Moment-to-Moment Optimism
http://www.drrussbuss.com