Friendship was uppermost in The Choir That Rocks, which climaxed with
a mass sing-song that changed people's belief systems forever.
Rock
Choir founder Caroline Redman Lusher led her flock into Wembley Arena
for the big performance which, by sheer force of feel-good will, booted
non-believers into touch and sold the Rock Choir dream as the harmonious
embodiment of the Big Society ideal.
Young and old joined with
the disabled and the grieving and the lonely for a singing session that
should have had me reaching for the sick bucket, yet instead had me on
the edge of tears. Pitched somewhere between an evangelical meeting
(minus the God bit) and a happy-clappy flash mob, the Rock Choir
experience seemed to offer a sense of community that has all but
disappeared in a world where TV is sold on the basis that you never have
to watch anything together.
As Rock Choir devotee Iris, aged 88 and on a natural Wembley high, put it: ‘I’m young again.’
12 fantastic, feel good and uplifting Rock Choir anthems including Walking on Broken Glass, Valerie, Something Inside So Strong and more.
You can buy Rock Choir Volume 1 from Play.com, hmv.com or Amazon.co.uk.
Established in 2005, Caroline Redman Lusher has attracted the top musicians and tutors from across the UK to help her introduce Rock Choir to communities from as far as Edinburgh down to Southampton. It is not a franchise but a family-led organisation. It is for each community and offers a glamorous but fun and friendly opportunity for everyone to sing their hearts out! It is fondly referred to as 'The People's Choir'
Rock Choir captured the attention of both the BBC and Universal in 2009 when, after a breakfast show interview, they were offered their own 4-album record deal. Rock Choir Vol1 went straight to number 5 in the UK Mid-week chart and in 2011. Rock Choir also have featured in its very own documentary "The Choir That Rocks" which was aired in June and repeated in November 2011.
It might take a brave individual to open the door of Rock Choir but once taking part, each member experiences life, joy, music and new friendships. It's perfect for those who love to sing their hearts out but perhaps have not sung outside the shower or in front of anyone before.
ITV1 ‘The Choir That Rocks’. Pick of the Day. Jane Rackham. Radio Times. 25th June – 1st July 2011.
Smiles: that’s what strikes you most about Rock Choir. Beaming, joyful faces fill every shot as the 8000 exuberant members make their way to Wembley arena for a singing extravaganza. The only thing that would make them even happier is if Barry Manilow or Cliff Richard turns out to be the mystery guest. In fact it's the chap from the Go Compare ad, but they're still thrilled to bits.
Singing en masse is obviously a powerful experience, and watching all those people singing and swaying with evangelical fervour to ‘Dancing in the Street’ is also an extraordinarily uplifting piece of telly. Imagine a Glee flashmob doing a bit of line dancing and you'll get the idea. Even the men (and only 4 per cent of the choirs are male) get in the mood with an endearing version of ‘Pretty Woman’ while founder Caroline Redman Lusher puts her money where her mouth is and belts out a high-energy version of ‘Something Inside So Strong’. It makes you feel like singing in the rain – or just smiling!”