On November 1, 2009, ZDFneo showed the first episode of the docu-soap Der Straßenchor. This moving and stirring format brings together people who are not on the sunny side of life. Led by concert pianist and choirmaster Stefan Schmidt, homeless people, drug addicts and former prisoners meet twice a week to sing together and form a choir. It is not an outstanding voice that is important, but commitment and enthusiasm. Within three months, the different individuals with many problems are to become a choir that harmonizes on stage and inspires the audience. The common goal can only be achieved if all members can motivate themselves and come to rehearsals regularly, an experience that demands great effort from almost all participants. A final concert will show whether a homogeneous choir has emerged, but above all how the singing has changed people’s lives. After all, the street choir is intended to be more than just a musical cohesion, it should give the members a new home, give them strength and self-esteem and also help some of them to find their way back into a regular life.

The idea for The Street Choir goes back to the Australian format Choir of Hard Knocks. The choir continued to exist after the filming and has given numerous performances in recent years. In 2007, the choir released its own album, which has sold over 100,000 copies to date.