Find your voice with choral group

Love to sing? Then you’ll love Rock Choir! Gayle joins rehearsals in Perth

Ihave a secret – I used to be what might loosely be termed as a “singer” in a couple of bands. Sadly, I wasn’t blessed with the voice of an angel but it didn’t matter because the bands, a mixture of punk, rock and funk, encouraged the art of making a racket. No matter how bad I sounded, I’ll never forget the huge buzz that leaping around on stage gave me.

I felt alive, elated, happy and energised when I was up there singing or, more accurately, shouting my heart out.

However, this is all in the distant past, though I still sing in the car, the shower and while walking the dog.

Realising I missed singing with accompanying music and people, I began hunting for choirs which might accommodate my lapsed crooning.

There’s no audition to join the Rock Choir, which has groups across the UK and is described as being the “world’s largest contemporary choir”, so it sounded right up my street.

There are an abundance of local groups, but I picked Perth and headed along to St Matthew’s Church where rehearsals take place on Wednesday nights.

I was welcomed by Rachel Leitch, the Rock Choir leader for choirs in Perth, Stirling and Glenrothes, and given a batch of song sheets.

“Any idea whether you’re bass, alto, or soprano – so low, middle or high?” she asked?

I know I’ve got a low-ish voice so between us, we deduced alto might be a good starting point.

As I took a seat in the alto section, I was greeted by a sea of happy, smiling faces, 99% of which were female.

“We love coming along to sing – it’s addictive!” beamed a lady in her 70s.

“It’s really sociable. You meet so many new people and make friends.”

Before we got stuck into the songs, Rachel took us through a warm-up of some easy breathing exercises.

Then, with her accompanying us on keyboard, we ran through a few lines of the gospel song, Praise You, in threepart harmony. It sounded pretty good.

Next up was a tune I adore – Don’t Leave Me This Way by The Communards. I know the song fairly well but, of course, I didn’t know the alto parts so ended improvising in a few places. I don’t think it mattered – well, nobody told me to shut up!

I also didn’t know the moves and dance routines, so I found myself going left while everyone else was going right quite a few times...

Other songs we rehearsed included I’ll Be There by Jess Glynne, Abba’s Super Trouper, This is Me from The Greatest Showman, John Legend’s All Of Me, and Queen’s feel-good anthem Don’t Stop Me Now.

The feeling of singing along with so many others did indeed feel good. It was such an uplifting, joyful and goosebump-inducing sensation.

Having only been to one rehearsal, I realised a lot of practice would be required before I could consider joining the choir for any sort of public performance.

While sessions are fun, they’re taken quite seriously, with singers expected to learn their parts thoroughly.

“It’s all about singing, fun, community, friendship and life-changing experiences,” said Rachel, who’s been running Rock Choirs for nine years.

“It gives people the chance to sing contemporary songs without the need to audition, read music or have any previous singing experience.

“I break down the songs and teach them in sections – usually bass, alto and soprano, then add the different harmonies together.”

The choir is brimming with fantastic opportunities. Members perform across the UK and abroad, record albums and appear on radio and TV.

The choir’s main performance of 2020 is at Edinburgh Festival, having performed there twice every night for the past three years.

Because this year is Rock Choir’s 15th anniversary, thousands of “Rockies” are coming together at Birmingham’s NEC to sing while also being part of a performance from the nation’s choir leaders.

“It’s normal for people to be nervous at first, especially if they’re coming on their own, but I always place newcomers next to those who’ll be able to guide them through the session,” said Rachel.

“I can guarantee you a great time, full of singing and laughter!”

Pictures: Kim Cessford. The group at their rehearsals in St Matthew’s Church, Perth, and with leader Rachel Leitch, below right.