Milnrow & Newhey July 2015

The UKs largest contemporary
choir celebrates 10 year
anniversary with the stars
Celebrities­joined­thousands­of­Rock­Choir­members­including­‘Rockies’­from
Littleborough­to­party­at­the­Genting­Arena­in­Birmingham­this­weekend.­Chesney
Hawkes­and­Kiki­Dee­were­among­the­guests­who­performed­their­own­well­known­hits­with
the­members.­They­were­all­made­honorary­Rock­Choir­members­by­founder­Caroline­Redman­Lusher.
In­addition,­signed­birthday­wishes­were­sent­from­all­over­the­world.­Celebrities­such­as­Olly­Murs,
Simon­Cowell,­Chris­Evans,­Joan­Collins­and­many­more­sent­their­best­wishes.­Their­cards­will­be
auctioned­to­the­general­public­in­June­to­raise­money­for­the­charity,­Shooting­Star­Chase.
Chesney­Hawkes­was­asked­how­he­felt­about­performing­with­Rock­Choir­after­the­show.­Chesney­said
“It­was­an­amazing­experience­being­here­today.­Please­have­me­back!”­He­went­on­to­say­“Rock­Choir
is­all­about­community­and­being­together.­It’s­going­to­grow­and­grow.”
One­attendee,­member­and­best-selling­author­Gill­Hornby­called­Rock­Choir­‘the­biggest­national
cultural­movement­of­the­decade’.­
Rock­Choir­members­from­Littleborough­joined­in­a­special­parade­at­the­NEC­on­Sunday,­the­first­of­a
two­night­celebration.­Each­parade­consisted­of­over­130­handmade,­personalised­flags,­representing
their­local­Rock­Choir.­Teenagers­from­Andorra­joined­Scotland­and­England­Teen­Rock­Choir­on­stage­to
perform’­Budapest’­by­George­Ezra.­
Rock­Choir­leader­Phil­Reynolds,­who­performed­on­stage­with­56­other­Rock­Choir­leaders­from­across
the­UK­said­“I’m­absolutely­blown­away­by­the­fantastic­sound­my­members­made,­the­whole­weekend
was­amazing!­Well­done­to­all­involved”.­Phil­also­runs­weekly­choir­rehearsals­in­Middleton,
Bamford/Norden,­Marple,­Rochdale,­Romiley­and­Saddleworth.
Clare­Cook,­Head­of­Campaigns­for­charity­Missing­People, thanked­the­members­for­their­generosity
and­support­and­held­a­bucket­collection­at­the­end­of­the­event­and­raised­an­amazing­£7000.­Clare
said "We­are­so­grateful­and­blown­away­by­the­generosity­of­the­members­–­thank­you­to­you­all,­you
really­are­a­lifeline,­changing­lives­through­song".
Rock­Choir­is­the­UK’s­largest­contemporary­choir,­with­nearly­17,000­members­in­over­300­local
communities.­There­are­no­auditions­and­no­requirements­to­read­music­or­have­any­previous­singing
44 To advertise call 07976­289967­or email sales@streetwisemag.co.uk