The choir that rocked Wembley
On Friday 18 October, hundreds of Rock Choir members from Brighton, Burgess Hill, Eastbourne, Haywards Heath, Hove and Lewes enjoyed one of their biggest performances yet, at the hallowed grounds of Wembley Stadium. The local singers formed part of Rock Choir’s 5,000-strong ‘circle of sound’ around the pitch to entertain a record-breaking crowd of over 61,000 at the Heineken Cup battle between Saracens and Toulouse.
Rock Choir performed just before kick off and at half time as part of an exciting night’s entertainment, which included pop stars The Vamps. In the weeks leading up to the match, local Rock Choir Leader Charlotte Fane put her very own ‘team’ through their paces, making sure the harmonies to songs such as ‘Proud’ by Heather Small and Bon Jovi’s anthem ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ were spot on right from kick off.
“We were thrilled to be part of this amazing mass performance,” says Charlotte. “Being invited to exciting events like this is all part of being in Rock Choir. It’s only a couple of months since we sang with thousands of fellow Rock Choir members from around the country at the 02 Arena in London and the Echo Arena Liverpool, it was great to get together with some of them again at Wembley Stadium.”
Sadly, victory was not to be for Saracens in their first Heineken Cup home match. Louis Picamoles snatched a 17-16 win for the French side.
The People’s Choir
Rock Choir is the UK’s largest and most popular contemporary choir, with more than 16,000 members in over 250 local communities. It was established in 2005 by award-winning singer and musician Caroline Redman Lusher, who wanted to create a modern choir for people young and old who love to sing. Unlike more traditional choirs and choral societies there are no entry auditions, and no requirements to read music or have any previous singing experience.
Rock Choir’s uplifting ethos of fun, friendship and community spirit is a huge part of its attraction. At an individual level it helps improve people’s self-confidence, enables them to develop their singing skills, and enjoy a dynamic new social life. On a wider level, Rock Choir has helped raise millions of pounds for charity through its performances and social events.
Other amazing achievements include releasing two top twenty albums; breaking three Guinness World Records; being the subject of ITV1 documentary, ‘The Choir That Rocks’; and making numerous TV appearances – including BBC Breakfast, The One Show and the Alan Titchmarsh Show.
“As well as having the chance to perform, being in Rock Choir is a great way to escape every day pressures and enjoy some ‘me’ time each week,” says Charlotte. “Time and time again I see how singing in Rock Choir helps improve people’s self-confidence and gives them wonderful sense of fulfilment and wellbeing. New members are always welcome and I’d like to invite anyone who loves singing to book a free taster session and give Rock Choir a try. I think they’ll love it.”
Anyone interested in joining Rock Choir can book a free taster session at their nearest rehearsal location. Visit www.rockchoir.com or telephone 01252 714 276 to find out more.
