Articles & Interviews
Newsletters
October 2021
June 2021
April 2020
January 2020
October 2019
July 2019
April 2019
January 2019
October 2018
July 2018
March 2018
KUSI Good Morning San Diego 2019 - Click HERE
Interview with Ron Bolles, John Savidge, and Ernest Bell
U-T Column by Karla Peterson 8-21-19 - Click HERE
BlesSING 2019 - Home and Other Places
KUSI Good Morning San Diego 2018 - Click HERE
Interview with Ron and Reina Bolles
U-T Column by Diane Bell 9-8-2018 - Click HERE
BlesSING on Broadway 2018
U-T Front Page Article by Gary Warth 12-27-16 - Click HERE
October 2021
June 2021
April 2020
January 2020
October 2019
July 2019
April 2019
January 2019
October 2018
July 2018
March 2018
KUSI Good Morning San Diego 2019 - Click HERE
Interview with Ron Bolles, John Savidge, and Ernest Bell
U-T Column by Karla Peterson 8-21-19 - Click HERE
BlesSING 2019 - Home and Other Places
KUSI Good Morning San Diego 2018 - Click HERE
Interview with Ron and Reina Bolles
U-T Column by Diane Bell 9-8-2018 - Click HERE
BlesSING on Broadway 2018
U-T Front Page Article by Gary Warth 12-27-16 - Click HERE
Reviews
"BlesSING" Concert Reviews 2019
What a great show! One of the things I loved most is witnessing the pride on the performers' faces. ~ Gina
I so enjoyed ending my Sabbath Day at the SD Street Choir performance yesterday. The joy your singers felt was so touching and a testimony that what you’re doing is needed and important. ~ Charlene
Thank you so much. Music heals. ~ Lynn
I felt joy and gratefulness for knowing all of you. ~ John
The concert was fantastic and I just love their spirit and enthusiasm. Love and hugs, ~ Gloria
My friend and I really enjoyed the concert. I was glad that I didn't have a conflict on Sunday because I've been wanting to go and support this inspiring group and I applaud your efforts to inspire and help these talented people who obviously get a lot of joy out of performing and interacting with others. ~ Janet
Congratulations to the San Diego Street Choir for the uplifting San Diego Street Choir concert yesterday. It was a wonderful afternoon of music and words. ~ Karen
I so enjoyed the Street Choir BlesSING concert. Their happy faces, their enthusiasm, their joy in making music – It was refreshing! ~ Hester
"BlesSING on Broadway" Concert Reviews 2018
"Buzz and I attended the concert last night and were so impressed with the wonderful job everyone did. You were right to expect some tears. It was all so touching, especially "Over the Rainbow" and "Bring Him Home." My husband wasn't too eager to go after working all day, but he was so glad he did! He thoroughly enjoyed it! Cracked up at the kazoos! Very talented bunch! What a blessing" ~ Suzanne Merical
"I don't really know where to start with the accolades! From beginning to end, everything was absolutely first class and beyond my wildest expectation! Your thoughtful selection of numbers, the enthusiastic and animated participation of your choir members, their very improved vocal performance, the beautiful and inspirational professional talent interspersed throughout, The audience remained engaged, enthusiastic, and very very appreciative! I left the church in awe and and my heart utterly filled with pride for you and all that you do for that population." ~ Ed Leon
"BlesSING" Concert Reviews 2017
"The kids and I had such a wonderful night at the San Diego Street Choir concert tonight! The music was great, but there was so much more than singing that happened. I was particularly captivated by Susan (one of the choir members standing in the middle of the group). Every song I found myself watching her as she poured everything she had into that music. I had the privilege of meeting her after the concert and she gave me a big hug and told me how much it meant to her to see all of the people out in the audience. Tonight was nothing short of magical. Oh, and Ron Bolles, your choir has a new groupie. Noah loved it and wants to know when the next concert is and if we can go watch it." ~ Kami
"BlesSING was a deeply impactful event. Music, video, spoken segments, and educational tidbits were seamlessly woven together into a production as varied and special as the members that comprise the choir. The audience was taken on an inspiring and emotional journey, led by 30 beautiful and endearing guides. Thank you for sharing your stories, San Diego Street Choir." ~ Gina
"Thank you Ron for a most extraordinary evening with the Street Choir performance. More than once my heart filled and tears brimmed. It was as if grace and joy surrounded me with a loving embrace." ~ Marilyn
"It was a wonderful entertaining, uplifting, tearful evening. Thanks to Ron & Reina and all the SDSC for your hard hours of rehearsal, it really paid off. You blessed us all, as did our Lord in heaven!" ~ Michelle
"It was a wonderful concert. Such a blessing to the audience, and I'm sure to the singers as well. I had many tearful moments. It was so uplifting and beautiful. Well done! Kudos to all!"~ Joni
"What a wonderful evening!! We loved every minute of the music, and we loved the hearts of everyone involved either on stage or support team." ~ Donna
"It was indeed a BlesSING evening. My heart was touched deeply. Thanks, Ron." ~ Andrea
"The BlesSING Concert changed my thinking about the homeless." ~ Mona
"Wow! What a wonderful evening at the concert last night! We were very moved and inspired by the Street Choir. The Holy Spirit was powerfully there. Thanks so much for inviting us!" ~ Clint
"Just wanted to share with you how blessed we were by the BlesSING concert. All weekend I continued to reflect on how wonderful the entire evening was. Bless you for representing the way true Christians are accepting of all of God's children without judgement. The general public gets such a skewed view of Christians but this really reflected God's love. The selection of pieces was great. The "Gospel Medley" was so creative and when the choir sang "Order My Steps" I teared up. May this ministry continue to grow as you spread the love of Christ through music." ~ R n' B
What a great show! One of the things I loved most is witnessing the pride on the performers' faces. ~ Gina
I so enjoyed ending my Sabbath Day at the SD Street Choir performance yesterday. The joy your singers felt was so touching and a testimony that what you’re doing is needed and important. ~ Charlene
Thank you so much. Music heals. ~ Lynn
I felt joy and gratefulness for knowing all of you. ~ John
The concert was fantastic and I just love their spirit and enthusiasm. Love and hugs, ~ Gloria
My friend and I really enjoyed the concert. I was glad that I didn't have a conflict on Sunday because I've been wanting to go and support this inspiring group and I applaud your efforts to inspire and help these talented people who obviously get a lot of joy out of performing and interacting with others. ~ Janet
Congratulations to the San Diego Street Choir for the uplifting San Diego Street Choir concert yesterday. It was a wonderful afternoon of music and words. ~ Karen
I so enjoyed the Street Choir BlesSING concert. Their happy faces, their enthusiasm, their joy in making music – It was refreshing! ~ Hester
"BlesSING on Broadway" Concert Reviews 2018
"Buzz and I attended the concert last night and were so impressed with the wonderful job everyone did. You were right to expect some tears. It was all so touching, especially "Over the Rainbow" and "Bring Him Home." My husband wasn't too eager to go after working all day, but he was so glad he did! He thoroughly enjoyed it! Cracked up at the kazoos! Very talented bunch! What a blessing" ~ Suzanne Merical
"I don't really know where to start with the accolades! From beginning to end, everything was absolutely first class and beyond my wildest expectation! Your thoughtful selection of numbers, the enthusiastic and animated participation of your choir members, their very improved vocal performance, the beautiful and inspirational professional talent interspersed throughout, The audience remained engaged, enthusiastic, and very very appreciative! I left the church in awe and and my heart utterly filled with pride for you and all that you do for that population." ~ Ed Leon
"BlesSING" Concert Reviews 2017
"The kids and I had such a wonderful night at the San Diego Street Choir concert tonight! The music was great, but there was so much more than singing that happened. I was particularly captivated by Susan (one of the choir members standing in the middle of the group). Every song I found myself watching her as she poured everything she had into that music. I had the privilege of meeting her after the concert and she gave me a big hug and told me how much it meant to her to see all of the people out in the audience. Tonight was nothing short of magical. Oh, and Ron Bolles, your choir has a new groupie. Noah loved it and wants to know when the next concert is and if we can go watch it." ~ Kami
"BlesSING was a deeply impactful event. Music, video, spoken segments, and educational tidbits were seamlessly woven together into a production as varied and special as the members that comprise the choir. The audience was taken on an inspiring and emotional journey, led by 30 beautiful and endearing guides. Thank you for sharing your stories, San Diego Street Choir." ~ Gina
"Thank you Ron for a most extraordinary evening with the Street Choir performance. More than once my heart filled and tears brimmed. It was as if grace and joy surrounded me with a loving embrace." ~ Marilyn
"It was a wonderful entertaining, uplifting, tearful evening. Thanks to Ron & Reina and all the SDSC for your hard hours of rehearsal, it really paid off. You blessed us all, as did our Lord in heaven!" ~ Michelle
"It was a wonderful concert. Such a blessing to the audience, and I'm sure to the singers as well. I had many tearful moments. It was so uplifting and beautiful. Well done! Kudos to all!"~ Joni
"What a wonderful evening!! We loved every minute of the music, and we loved the hearts of everyone involved either on stage or support team." ~ Donna
"It was indeed a BlesSING evening. My heart was touched deeply. Thanks, Ron." ~ Andrea
"The BlesSING Concert changed my thinking about the homeless." ~ Mona
"Wow! What a wonderful evening at the concert last night! We were very moved and inspired by the Street Choir. The Holy Spirit was powerfully there. Thanks so much for inviting us!" ~ Clint
"Just wanted to share with you how blessed we were by the BlesSING concert. All weekend I continued to reflect on how wonderful the entire evening was. Bless you for representing the way true Christians are accepting of all of God's children without judgement. The general public gets such a skewed view of Christians but this really reflected God's love. The selection of pieces was great. The "Gospel Medley" was so creative and when the choir sang "Order My Steps" I teared up. May this ministry continue to grow as you spread the love of Christ through music." ~ R n' B
What it’s like to be a member of the San Diego Street Choir? Here are some thoughts from a few members…
"The choir has a life of its own. One that is beyond our talents, ideas, experience and resources but is provided for by our commitment to something that is at all times larger and greater than ourselves and brings a truth, grace, and beauty anew – to us all. For me the greatest recognition is seeing what I am given come alive in benefit to others." - Harden
"I'm in the choir because I love to sing and I love praise and worship with my Man upstairs." - Alfonzo
"I feel so much peace in the choir because I'm part of something." - Raven
"The choir is really a community that provides a wonderful opportunity to glorify the Lord through song." - James
"The Street Choir to me means to be a part of something because for a long time I was part of nothing. It's exciting to be part of something that's wholesome, good, and more importantly it Glorifies God." - Jimmy
"Our spirits do soar when our hearts do sing!" - Harden
“The Street Choir has brought joy to my life. I love it. When we did the last concert I couldn’t stop crying.”
“Through music and song you can get closer to God.”
“The choir makes me happy and clears my mind from thinking about life on the street.”
“Through the choir I’ve met a lot of people with great attitudes who are open-minded.”
“I feel content and at peace when I sing in the choir.”
“When I’m with the choir I feel like I’m at home.”
“Having the other people singing around me is very comforting.” - Mark
“Singing with the Street Choir has brought me closer to God and put me back in touch with my faith.”
“The choir is very special to me. It lifts my spirit. Giving my time to this is my big reward.”
"The choir has a life of its own. One that is beyond our talents, ideas, experience and resources but is provided for by our commitment to something that is at all times larger and greater than ourselves and brings a truth, grace, and beauty anew – to us all. For me the greatest recognition is seeing what I am given come alive in benefit to others." - Harden
"I'm in the choir because I love to sing and I love praise and worship with my Man upstairs." - Alfonzo
"I feel so much peace in the choir because I'm part of something." - Raven
"The choir is really a community that provides a wonderful opportunity to glorify the Lord through song." - James
"The Street Choir to me means to be a part of something because for a long time I was part of nothing. It's exciting to be part of something that's wholesome, good, and more importantly it Glorifies God." - Jimmy
"Our spirits do soar when our hearts do sing!" - Harden
“The Street Choir has brought joy to my life. I love it. When we did the last concert I couldn’t stop crying.”
“Through music and song you can get closer to God.”
“The choir makes me happy and clears my mind from thinking about life on the street.”
“Through the choir I’ve met a lot of people with great attitudes who are open-minded.”
“I feel content and at peace when I sing in the choir.”
“When I’m with the choir I feel like I’m at home.”
“Having the other people singing around me is very comforting.” - Mark
“Singing with the Street Choir has brought me closer to God and put me back in touch with my faith.”
“The choir is very special to me. It lifts my spirit. Giving my time to this is my big reward.”
Review from "Lisa" at their first public performance at First Presbyterian Church
“The last few years, our Heavenly Father has given me a gift at some point in the season – an unexpected moment of sheer joy that could only come from Him and frankly, likely in the eyes of someone else, would be quite insignificant.
This year’s surprise came yesterday. It was a humbling and teachable moment. When I heard about a Street Choir being started, I have to say it struck me as a less practical undertaking for the homeless. I now know I couldn’t have been more wrong in wondering why someone would be led to ask our homeless to try in the midst of their struggles to join a choir. I’ve since seen enthusiasm from the participants as it’s announced on Sundays and on Friday night I heard more of what a blessing the practices have been. So last night it was absolutely thrilling to be in that beautiful, old Sanctuary with the hurricane candles lit, anticipating the choir’s arrival. I haven’t been that excited since attending my kid’s school programs.
Anyway, I was delighted when one of our guys spoke for a couple of minutes beforehand explaining how music brings joy. And then when they started to sing, the tears filled my eyes as I heard how talented they are! I also realized there was so much more going on in that church than met the eye. It was a microcosm of our community – the wealthy, the poor, the faithful, the secular, the young and old. And there were our homeless, in the choir loft raising a beautiful and joyful noise to the Lord. And what were the rest of us doing? We weren’t looking down on them. We weren’t avoiding their gaze. And we weren’t looking past them as if they didn’t exist. No, we were looking up at them with respect. They sang with dignity and occasionally with a raised hand. It was the most remarkable moment and I know God was smiling as we all were.
I was humbled again at how God works in amazing and mysterious ways. His thoughts are so much higher than mine and He is so, so Good! Please thank the genius who listened to the Lord and obeyed this call! I believe amazing things could come about through the street choir. If people heard about it and came to listen to them, they would see they are people with abilities and things to offer. It’s a bridge that God can use for his glory."
“The last few years, our Heavenly Father has given me a gift at some point in the season – an unexpected moment of sheer joy that could only come from Him and frankly, likely in the eyes of someone else, would be quite insignificant.
This year’s surprise came yesterday. It was a humbling and teachable moment. When I heard about a Street Choir being started, I have to say it struck me as a less practical undertaking for the homeless. I now know I couldn’t have been more wrong in wondering why someone would be led to ask our homeless to try in the midst of their struggles to join a choir. I’ve since seen enthusiasm from the participants as it’s announced on Sundays and on Friday night I heard more of what a blessing the practices have been. So last night it was absolutely thrilling to be in that beautiful, old Sanctuary with the hurricane candles lit, anticipating the choir’s arrival. I haven’t been that excited since attending my kid’s school programs.
Anyway, I was delighted when one of our guys spoke for a couple of minutes beforehand explaining how music brings joy. And then when they started to sing, the tears filled my eyes as I heard how talented they are! I also realized there was so much more going on in that church than met the eye. It was a microcosm of our community – the wealthy, the poor, the faithful, the secular, the young and old. And there were our homeless, in the choir loft raising a beautiful and joyful noise to the Lord. And what were the rest of us doing? We weren’t looking down on them. We weren’t avoiding their gaze. And we weren’t looking past them as if they didn’t exist. No, we were looking up at them with respect. They sang with dignity and occasionally with a raised hand. It was the most remarkable moment and I know God was smiling as we all were.
I was humbled again at how God works in amazing and mysterious ways. His thoughts are so much higher than mine and He is so, so Good! Please thank the genius who listened to the Lord and obeyed this call! I believe amazing things could come about through the street choir. If people heard about it and came to listen to them, they would see they are people with abilities and things to offer. It’s a bridge that God can use for his glory."