Brisbane based Aislinn, who is an R U OK? ambassador, created The Matter Project, to help inspire people to have conversations about mental health. Her vision was to have the song Matter recorded by The Choir of Hard knocks for R U OK? Day 2020, however it took over two years for that to happen.
The weekly in-person rehearsals for the Choir of Hard Knocks (the choir) stopped in March 2020, and while efforts were made to move them online, this was difficult for many of the choir members who don’t own a computer or have access to a computer.
Fast forward to 2022, under the guidance of artistic directors Adam Przewlocki and Danielle Matthews, the choir was back in rehearsals together and were presented with the beautiful lyric to learn.
Before long they were ready to record the song and video. The Matter Project played an important role in reuniting the choir members and establishing a sense of purpose after a difficult and long time apart.
The result is a moving rendition of a powerful song, performed by choir members who themselves have experienced mental illness, depression and homelessness. Aislinn wrote the song during a difficult time in her life, in the hope it would help others.
The video recording of the song was captured over a three-week period with most members of the choir taking their turn in front of the camera to record their part.
Footage was captured in such a way to ensure the end result would sound as if the choir was singing together in the same room. The video is available to stream from You Tube.
The choir gained notoriety over 15 years ago with their Logie Award winning ABC documentary under the leadership of founding artistic director Jonathon Welch AM, and continues to inspire and entertain with their repertoire of songs including the much-loved Hallelujah and now, this heart-warming version of Matter.
Weekly rehearsals have seen the choir bounce back to the quality, tone and sound they had achieved prior to the pandemic. The choir’s first public concert since COVID-19 lockdowns will be held in Docklands (Melbourne) on Sunday, October 23 at 3pm with a guest performance by Rainbow Voices Community Choir.
Tickets will be available from the website.
Be inspired and moved by listening to The Choir of Hard Knocks singing Matter by Aislinn Sharp.
