Three time award winning ‘Choir of Hard Knocks’ is set to celebrate their 10 year anniversary with a performance at the Araluen Arts Centre next week.

Araluen Cultural Precinct Director Mark Crees said he was delighted to host the choir, which was originally created for homeless and disadvantaged people, on their first national tour.

“Choir of Hard Knocks is led by their dedicated Founding Artistic Conductor Dr Jonathon Welch AM, whose original inspiration came in 2000 when reading an article about the Montreal Homeless Men’s Choir whilst in Canada,” Dr Crees said.  

“He then returned to Australia and created Sydney Street Choir in 2001, the first choir of its kind in Australia specifically created for people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.

“Choir of Hard Knocks has had an impressive journey after being the main subject of a popular ABC TV series and winning an ARIA, Logie and Helpmann award.

“The ongoing and regular contact the choir provides to the members has had a profound effect on their lives, leading many of the original 52 back to either part time or full time study or work.

“Now in their 10th anniversary year, the choir is still going strong and we are pleased to have them perform at the Araluen Arts Centre.

“The show is only in town for one night, so I encourage everyone to come down, sing along, laugh and be inspired by their joyous music making,” Dr Crees said.

Choir of Hard Knocks will be on stage at the Araluen Arts Centre, Saturday 18 June at 7.00pm.

Ticket prices are adults for $39.00, concession for $35.00 and Friends of the Araluen Arts Centre for $32.00 and are available from the Araluen Box Office on (08) 8951 1122.

Media contact: Jordan Raymond-Monro, 8999 4726