“It’s brilliant. It’s better than therapy. We come out of it every week buzzing. We really do!” Jacki attends the Coleraine Rock Choir alongside Karen Elliott (no relation), and their story adds another beautiful layer to the experience. Former classmates at Coleraine High School, they had lost touch until, years later, Facebook and a shared love of singing brought them back together. The setting? A Monday morning Rock Choir session at the West Bann Development Centre. From Facebook to Flash Mobs – A Reconnection Through Song Both Karen and Jacki discovered Rock Choir through a Facebook ad offering a free taster session - no pressure, just a chance to try something new. “From day one, as soon as I saw it, I thought, yes, finally! A choir I can relate to,” Jacki recalls. Karen, new to choirs, was equally intrigued. “It was just to see if you like it, if it’s your vibe, your kind of thing.” For Jacki, who already had experience performing in choirs and pantomimes, Rock Choir felt like home. But both women agree that what truly sets it apart is its warmth, its inclusivity, and the joy of singing simply for the love of it. “You don’t even need to read music,” Jacki explains. “Jonathan Bailie plays the piano, we use backing tracks, and everyone sings together. You can go to any Rock Choir in Northern Ireland or the UK, and you’ll be completely in sync.” And that synchronicity shines during their larger performances, like their festive flash mob at Victoria Square in Belfast. “It was amazing and so much fun,” Karen smiles. “We all knew the routine, there’s the music, and a few little moves to go with it too!”
autumn, some members will join a massive Rock Choir event at the NEC in Birmingham. “All the choirs will be there, and the leaders will be on stage. We’ll be singing along with Martin Kemp, Emeli Sandé, and Sam Ryder. It’s going to be amazing,” Jacki says. Karen puts it perfectly: “It’s much more than a choir. It’s a real community.” So, if you’ve ever dreamed of singing but worried you’re not ‘good enough’- the Rock Choir is calling. “Come to a free taster session!” urges Jacki. “It doesn’t matter if you know the songs or not. I saw it on Facebook and thought I’d give it a go, and I absolutely love it!” Karen adds, only half-joking: “Doctors should prescribe Rock Choir. It would save the NHS a fortune!” Where and When? Coleraine Rock Choir: Mondays, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at West Bann Development Centre Want to get involved? Message the Facebook page: Rock Choir with Jonathan Bailie or visit www. rockchoir.com
More Than Music – It’s a Community Karen says joining the choir opened up her social circle in ways she hadn’t expected. “I’ve met people I would never have crossed paths with otherwise, and I reconnected with Jacki. Another old school friend, Shauna Faith-Crothers, is also a member of the choir. It’s something that’s just for me. And the buzz you get when you leave? Unreal.” And if you think choirs are just for women? Think again. “It’s not a female choir at all,” Jacki insists. “We have one man at the moment, but we’d love more to join!” Their playlist proves Rock Choir isn’t about stiff sheet music or lofty classical arrangements. Instead, they’re belting out feel-good anthems like Two Hearts by Phil Collins, Mountain by Sam Ryder, Flashdance, and I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith. Big Voices, Big Dreams Rock Choir isn’t just about singing in a room; it’s about being part of something nationwide. Locally, they have performed at the Ballymoney Spring Fair and the Red Sails festival, while this
31
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting