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Choir History
"The choir started out of a chance meeting between
Bernard Carney and Rachel Pemberton who was the manager of the Big
Issue in February 2007. The idea of a Big Issue choir was tried and
about 10 people turned up for a sing along .We had several sessions
and were known as the Big Issue choir.
We attracted the interest of the ABC and the West
Australian and soon other people came in to have a sing and
volunteered to help out.
There were now more than Big Issue vendors in the
choir and as the operation of the Big Issue for the whole country
became controlled by Melbourne, we decided to separate the name of
the choir from the Big Issue. Adrian came up with the Spirit of the
Streets name which we all liked, so this was adopted. (edited
excerpt from the Choir History)
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The
Spirit of the Streets Choir was originally the Big Issue Choir
however the name was changed to make it more inclusive for other
people who were homeless, long term unemployed, socially excluded,
suffering from substance abuse or with a history of mental illness.
The choir
is essentially for the people who do not get a seat at the table of
conventional society, the people who are excluded and vulnerable and
who require the non judgmental social interaction which is embodied
in the choir.
The
October 14th, 2008, concert performance reflected this
spirit of inclusion, acceptance and joy. It conveyed the lifestyle
situation of many of the people who sell The Big Issue magazine.
Many are
homeless with tragic life stories of abuse, and self inflicted
addiction. Others have suffered mental illness and social non
acceptance resulting in isolation and low self esteem.
The choir
has brought a ray of light into their lives, a way to communicate
and a forum for socializing which had never been possible before.
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In 2008, The Perth Male Voice Choir took up the role of supporting
the Spirit of the Street's Choir.
"Edited details, of the initial proposal for
Perth Male Voice Choir and Spirit of the Street Choir, combined
concert.
January, 2008
This is an initiative of the Perth Male Voice
Choir, now in its eighty second year.
The objective of this project is for Perth
Male Voice Choir, to provide support for and to assist with the
development of the “Spirit of the Streets Choir.”
It is planned that this will be achieved by
working the two choirs together progressively to develop a program
through joint rehearsals .The culmination of the enterprise would be
to appear on stage together in front of a large audience at a major
venue.
It is envisaged that each choir would perform
separate brackets and then come together in combination.
It is the WA equivalent of the Eastern States
based “Choir of Hard Knocks” and draws its membership from the
disadvantaged sectors of our community taking in the homeless and
persons suffering either a physical or mental disability.
The ABC
TV series, Choir of Hard Knocks, demonstrated what can be achieved.
The WA
“Spirit of the Streets” choir group presents exactly the same
difficulties and therefore the very same opportunity to improve
their situation by helping to improve the health of the
participants, reduce the stigma and isolation their condition
creates, increasing their self esteem and providing an opportunity
to be a part of a group enjoying the benefits, fellowship and shared
values that choir participation can bring.
The "Spirit of the Streets" choir draws its
membership from the grossly disadvantaged members of our community
in general, the homeless, persons with mental health issues and co
morbidity or other significant disabilities.
There is no discrimination by way of race, sex,
culture or creed or the ability to read music or perform to a set
standard."
The “Spirit of the Street Choir” is administered
by the
Ruah community welfare organization.
The "Spirit of the Streets Choir's " musical
director is Bernard Carney.
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