Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00In the heart of Port Macquarie, a choir is doing more than just singing.
00:10It's a place for people from all walks of life to come together, build confidence and find a sense of belonging.
00:20Tim Madren, well known in the arts community, has seen first hand how music can change lives.
00:30As the director of the School of Hard Knocks Choir, he believes in the power of song to rebuild confidence and connection.
00:37Everyone gets something out of it, everyone.
00:40If you've ever had a stressful morning and you come to choir, I call the room for smiles.
00:47It's just a really joyous place, but also just a place for anyone in the community to come and we all sing together.
00:53It's as simple as it is, and it's weird just singing together, but there's something really healing in it.
00:59My name's Joe Episode, I'm from Port Macquarie.
01:02I play guitar, I sing and dance with my team, it's fantastic.
01:09Port High School and us, fantastic.
01:11It's all about having fun with all my friends in it.
01:14I'm enjoying all the singing and all the dancing in there.
01:17Since its inception nearly 10 years ago, the choir has continued to grow both in numbers and in community impact.
01:24Do you feel like you've made lots of friends here?
01:26Yeah, we're friends, yeah.
01:28The choir regularly performs at local events where audiences respond with warmth and appreciation.
01:34Yeah, I think people find it very inspiring.
01:37Because the choir at the heart of it says, enjoy the moment, that's probably it.
01:45Enjoy every moment you have.
01:47I think that's the message that is shared with us all singing together.
01:51You may have stresses before or after this, but in this moment, just enjoy it.
01:56Let's all get together and sing.
01:58And I think people find that a really good reminder.