The Dallas Street Choir shows the world that people in all walks of life can join together to create music and inspire others.

Tonight, the Dallas Street Choir will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City, an event that is a first in Carnegie Hall’s 126-year history. The Dallas Street Choir is composed of individuals facing homelessness and disadvantages from Dallas, Texas. The group will also perform at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.
Dr. Jonathan Palant started the Dallas Street Choir in 2014 with a small motley group. Now, more than 1,200 people have participated in at least one rehearsal. 68% of the members depend on shelters and 23% live on the streets. Almost half are in their forties and fifties. About two-thirds of the members have a high school diploma. Twenty-five of its most dedicated singers include those with mental illness and addiction issues.
Society may have forgotten these marginalized individuals or dismissed them as unworthy, but the Dallas Street Choir has given these individuals reasons to believe otherwise. The members of the choir believe that, even in tough times, they can find purpose in beautiful things like singing, and most importantly, they are giving a face and voice to the mentally ill and the homeless.
Dr. Palant admits that it is not easy directing this group, “You’re teaching the most basic musicianship skills — loud, soft, slow, fast, long, short. You’re teaching folks who have a hard time staying awake because they spent the previous night on a heating grate outside.” The members of the Street Choir are beginners at singing but they work hard and can accomplish so much in spite of their lack of musical background. Palant acknowledges that their sound is raw. “But it’s unbridled, passionate — filled with love and joy and uniqueness,” he says.
The Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious music venues in the United States. It is a huge honor to perform on their stage. Deborah Scott was selected from her group to join the travel team and perform at Carnegie Hall. She feels honored to be granted such a huge opportunity. “I’m so grateful,” she says, “There are so many professional singers that would kill to be on the stage at Carnegie Hall. Through the choir, I’m going places that I never would’ve imagined myself being a year or two years ago. Never.”
The Dallas Street Choir has given hope to so many of its members. They are like family. When they go through dark times, they can support and encourage each other. Singing in the street choir gives members like Deborah Scott a reason to persevere and keep a smile on their face. It is giving them a reason to wake up in the morning.
The Dallas Street Choir is also inspiring others facing homelessness. Hundreds of tickets were donated to the homeless throughout New York. Tonight, people from all backgrounds, cities, ages, and races will come and listen to the choir perform. The Dallas Street Choir brings together all people and steps forward to show society that homeless people have a voice. One of the members, Michael Brown, said at a rehearsal, “We may be homeless, but we’re not voiceless. So let’s use our effort to remind people that we still have hope and it will never die.”

 

-Mackenzie

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