A chorus of religious singers is the image most people conjure when they picture a choir. But passing by Merrow's St Johns Centre on a Wednesday evening, it is not the sound of church hymns that can be heard as the Rock Choir™ rehearse.
 
In true Sister Act style, although not dressed as nuns, this groups of singers give traditional choirs a run for their money, with their performances of pop, gospel and motown tunes.
The brains behind the contemporary style choir is Caroline Lusher who began her professional music career at the age of 15, secretly playing the piano in nightclubs at the weekend, alongside studying for her classical musical scholarship.

Following years of performing in London's West End. Caroline moved to Farnborough where she became a performing arts and drama teacher before leaving to establish the Rock Choir™.
“ It began with just 180 people and now we have more than 530 members. The reception has been enormous." said Caroline
“ It attracts all ages and all levels of experience. Most of them have never sung in public before and through taking part they have developed confidence, new skills and get a huge sense of fulfilment after each performance."
Rock Choir™ is split into three age groups: juniors aged 6-10, young adults aged 10-21, and adults and there are now choirs in Merrow, Godalming and Farnham.
Caroline musically arranges and choreographs all the pop, gospel and motown songs that the Rock Choir™ performs and teaches each choir separately over a 30-week schedule.
“I take the songs and completely re-arrange them musically," she said. “ We perform everything from old classics like Build Me Up Buttercup to Amy Winehouse songs and at the moment we are doing Material Girl by Madonna which has quite a complicated routine.
“Members range from GPS to head mistresss but what is so great is that they are equal while they are in that room singing. It is a space in people's lives that they can escape too. There are no auditions to judge if they are good enough; the pressure is on me to train them.
Caroline added, “ One lady who had cancer only missed two rehearsals during her treatment and no one knew that she was ill. I only found out when she wrote to me and said that Rock Choir™ was the thing that kept her going. She and her doctors used our performance at the New Victoria Theatre as a goal for her recovery."
The Rock Choir™ performed at last year's GuilFest and was so successful it will appear on Saturday and Sunday at this year's festival.
In July, Caroline is taking 300 performers with her to perform three shows at Disneyland Paris. The entire group is also singing at Caroline's wedding later in the year, where they will be performing the gospel tune, Oh Happy Day.
“ It is going to be absolutely amazing and I am so glad that they are going to be involved in my big day," said Caroline.
“ Rock Choir™ is unlike anything else in the area. We also get involved in the community and raise money for charity."
In February, Rock Choir™ performed a concert at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in front of the mayor and raised £4,500 for Halow, a charity supporting young adults with special needs.
For more information on the Rock Choir™ and how to join visit www.rockchoir.com