Photo by Brian Addison.
Frank McIlquham has made the world shine a little brighter through music for groups like veterans and at-risk youth. By forming choirs out of these groups, McIlquham helped them forget their troubles and escape into a world of music. Now, he’s hoping to do the same for the homeless community in Long Beach.
McIlquham said that according to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Long Beach is the fourth highest rated of unsheltered homeless among major cities.
Choirs around the world, from the United Kingdom to Australia to other cities in the United States, have allowed homeless people to have a voice, McIlquham said.
“A choir is about inclusiveness and giving people something that feels like home,” he said. “We want to give the homeless a voice to the public and be recognized to gain self-esteem and pride again. There will always be someone on the streets with a gift that needs to shine. Participants in our program build and develop character; a sense of teamwork and confidence is also achieved.”
McIlquham said he started the vocal program for the homeless on October 31, and just on the first day, the group had more than 40 participants — his ideal size is between 35 and 40 men and women. He said that’s a sign of what’s to come for this choir, but, unfortunately, the program still needs funding before it can come to fruition completely.
He set up an Indiegogo campaign, which he is hoping will help raise $5,000 by December 10 to provide the participants with established musicians and vocal coaches, performance attire, musical arrangements, accompanists and teachers.
The goal, McIlquham said, is to have the homeless choir perform at the Long Beach Rescue Mission Gala event at the Westin Hotel on December 10 at 5:30PM.
McIlquaham said he believes this goal is attainable because it’s familiar territory for him. In 2010, he created Rock For Vets, which provided a musical outlet for veterans and garnered the attention of rockstar Gene Simmons of Kiss fame. Simmons created an episode of A&E’s Family Jewels, called “Kiss a Vet,” focusing on Rock For Vets.
McIlquaham also created a choir for at-risk youth in an after school program at schools like Cabrillo High School and Jodan-Plus.
“These groups reap the rewards of the small successes they experience while learning to perform as part of a band,” McIlquaham said. “Through its work in the Long Beach area, The Rock Club Rock For Vets has gained understanding and knowledge with the introduction of music as a new form of healing. Veterans and At-Risk youth both share common traits that need to develop character, provide a sense of teamwork and build self-esteem.”