100 Sunshine Coast Voices Unite to Sing at Mental Health Week Concert 2017

The Choir of Hard Knocks choirmaster extraordinaire Dr Jonathon Welch AM has assembled a choir of more than 100 voices to learn to sing, harmonise and perform ahead of a special Hand in Hand concert on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday 15 October to celebrate Mental Health Week 2017.

Ten years on from the award-winning television series that captured the hearts of a nation, Choir of Hard Knocks and School of Hard Knocks founding artistic director, Dr Jonathon Welch AM, is heading to the Sunshine Coast for the first time and has recruited an army of voices to form the inaugural Absolutely Everybody Sunshine Coast Choir, a project choir of community singers.

Over the course of two Saturdays, South East Queenslanders are rehearsing with Dr Welch himself. The workshops will culminate with a Sunday afternoon performance at the Hand in Hand charity concert at Caloundra's The Events Centre. This is the first major concert presented by School of Hard Knocks on the Sunshine Coast and also the first time Dr Jonathon Welch has performed on the Sunshine Coast.

The Hand in Hand concert in celebration of Mental Health Week will also showcase Brisbane singer and conductor Melissa Gill and the School of Hard Knocks Queensland arts programs, including the Absolutely Everybody Brisbane Choir, Rhythm of Life Music Theatre, Word on the Street creative writing and junk percussion group StreetBeat.

Funds raised will help support the School of Hard Knocks deliver arts programs in Queensland to help build positive physical and mental wellbeing for those who are marginalised or disadvantaged.

In 2006, Dr Welch founded the Choir of Hard Knocks, an innovative social inclusion initiative to support isolated and disadvantaged members of the community and help build their resilience and self-esteem. The choir shot to fame in 2007 thanks for a TV documentary series in Australia.

Seeing the positive impact that the choir had on its members, in 2012, Dr Welch founded the School of Hard Knocks, a charity initiative running arts-based activities such as creative writing, choir, percussion and music theatre activities, using the power of the arts to help build positive mental and physical well-being.

'As a graduate of Queensland Conservatorium in the 1980's, I'm so excited to be back in Queensland to support the community that gave me so much support and encouragement, with our dynamic range of innovative School of Hard Knocks arts and cultural programs. I am looking forward to singing on the Sunshine Coast for the first time' said Dr Welch.

'The joy of music and singing is such a positive way for us to promote good mental health and build strong communities during Mental Health Week 2017. Support from the Queensland Mental Health Commission has helped to bring this concert to the Sunshine Coast' said Dr Welch.

Tickets for the concert are on sale now. Please visit The Events Centre website http://theeventscentre.com.au/product/hand-in-handschool-of-hard-knocks/ or call 07 5491 4240.

Hand in Hand concert details:

DATE: Sunday 15 October

TIME: 2 - 3:30pm

VENUE: The Events Centre, 20 Minchinton St, Caloundra

TICKETS: Reserved Seating Adult $35 | Conc & U18 $29 | Family $100