Dynamic musical project strikes a chord in Docklands

A new songwriting endeavour will seek to harness the power of the Docklands community and bring locals together through the power of music.

Diverse Docklands is a project led by Jonathon Welch AM, an ARIA award-winning singer and conductor of The Choir of Hard Knocks. He wants to enlist the help of local residents and businesses to create a song which is reflective of Docklands’ identity.

“We thought this was just a really great way of promoting Docklands and the community,” Johnathon told Docklands News.

The area is no stranger to musical ensembles. Jonathon’s THECHO!R group has been based in the suburb for the past five years and The Choir of Hard Knocks also rehearses out of the Community Hub at The Dock.

The conductor emphasised how the project was only possible through the help of locals – particularly through the lyric-writing phase. It’s this input that he hopes will showcase the diversity within the Docklands community.

“We’d like to engage and hear from residents, businesses, and the community about why they like the area, and why they choose to live there,” he said.

The recording aspect of the song is supported by Johnathon’s musical education company Play it Forward. A similar song created by the organisation was a huge success in the community of Wyndham. The composition is being used in local schools, at dance performances, and even songwriting competitions.

In addition to “supporting and promoting” the local community, Jonathan and his team hope that Diverse Docklands will be a “project that has a legacy.” The song will be premiered at a live performance in Docklands once it is completed.

For more information and to get involved, email Johnathon and the team. •