22nd 三月 2011
Rock Choir founded by a Salford graduate
On 22nd March the University of Salford will host a special rehearsal for Rock Choir - the original contemporary choir singing pop, gospel and Motown songs which was founded by a Salford graduate. Unlike other choirs, anyone can join Rock Choir with no singing experience, no auditions and no need to read music.
More than 140 local Rock Choir members are coming together to rehearse for ‘Rock Choir Live at Wembley’ - a private event for more than 7,000 Rock Choir members and special guests from across the UK. The Wembley event will be filmed as the climax of a documentary that will be shown later this year on ITV1, where viewers will get a special behind the scenes look at Rock Choir.
The rehearsal at Salford is the first opportunity for local Rock Choir leader and Salford graduate, Maxine Cherrie, to bring together her Bury, Altrincham and Wilmslow Rock Choirs to sing together. Caroline Redman Lusher, the founder and director of Rock Choir, will also be coming to meet them.
Both Caroline Redman Lusher and Maxine Cherrie have a special connection with the University, as they both studied Popular Music and Recording at Salford.
Maxine said: “I’d studied classical music since I was a child so by the time I finished music college I wanted a change. I wanted something more creative and Salford offered just what I was looking for. At the time there weren’t any other popular music courses around so Salford was a real forerunner.”
The University played a pivotal role for both their music careers helping them to make the transition from classical to popular music. As the pioneer of the contemporary choir, Caroline has achieved the same transition for choral singing in the UK - revolutionising the concept of a choir. Rock Choir has now become a national phenomenon.
Unlike classical choirs there are no auditions and is no need for previous singing experience to join Rock Choir. Even shy adults or people with very little confidence in their singing can join. The weekly rehearsals build confidence and week-by-week they learn a growing repertoire of upbeat and feel good pop, gospel and Motown songs.
Many Rock Choir members haven’t sung since school days, have never sung in public before and are given the opportunity to perform to an audience as part of the Rock Choir experience. Altrincham, Bury and Wilmslow Rock Choirs all gave debut performances after just ten weeks of rehearsals at the Sale and Wilmslow Christmas lights last year.
Singing as part of Rock Choir brings many members life affirming experiences for members. Valerie Booth, local Rock Choir member, explained: “Since joining Rock Choir in September, I’ve been given a whole new lease of life. I’ve gone from being a bit of a recluse and not having much confidence to helping out at Bury, Altrincham and Wilmslow Rock Choirs.
“My social life has gone through the roof, to the extent that my neighbours have been worried about me as I’m never at home. I’ve also lost two stones in weight and all my friends and colleagues now refer to me as ‘The New Val’. Joining Rock Choir is the best thing that could have happened to me.”
If you’d like to find your singing voice Rock Choir always welcomes new members and offers a free taster session to anyone who is willing to give it a go. Rock Choir also runs rehearsals in Chester, Nantwich, Knutsford and Warrington.
For more details or to book a free taster session go to: www.rockchoir.com or call 01252 714 276.