The return to Rock Choir!

Year 4 begins….

Equipment set up, chairs organised into 3 sections, registers out, prefects and P.I.T.S (the Teen’s ‘Prefects in training’) ready to greet old and new members… it must be week 1, term 1! I don’t think I’ve ever hugged so many people in the space of 4 days in my life! Hundreds of returning members, and a whopping 60 brand new ‘tastees’  joined us over the 6 choirs in week 1! Once of my teenage members (Laura) was so excited, she set up a ‘Count Down to Rock Choir’ app on her phone since our last meeting (60 days!!)

 Rock Choir is here!!

Our first song of the Year is the beautiful ‘Just the way you are’ by Bruno Mars – it definitely made for a soppy return to Rock Choir, encouraging each harmony section to turn to and ‘serenade’ each other.  I could feel the love! The Altos cheered in delight as they got to sing the infamous melody line with the tune in the chorus, the Bass’ singing in harmony with the flowing beautiful 3^rd harmonies in the Upper and Lower Soprano’s counter melody. A real treat for the ears J (videos to follow over the term once the song is finished!)

I really wanted to hear what the members wanted to get out of their 4^th Year with Rock Choir, so I conducted a survey for every member and gave them a list of options in terms of performances, workshops, general development and then the opportunity to say anything else they would like – some fantastic results, which has shaped the year ahead even better, and I cannot wait to unleash some of my plans….. mwahahaha!

A box of surveys helps me plan plan plan!

On Thursday morning I began my Southampton Morning session and was ‘interrupted’ by some of the members standing up and FLASHING ME!! With CAT T-SHIRTS!!! So for members who don’t know me, I’m a big cat fan and occasionally meow in my sessions (it’s a sign of affection... I know I’m weird…) so they got the t-shirts to surprise me! I loved it.

Following this choir session, I had a ‘could have been near death experience’ when my car of 3.5 years (which had always given me grief) decided to give out on me and the brakes snapped WHILST I was driving… Luckily I was 2 minutes from home and not on the motorway otherwise… it doesn’t bare thinking about… The Rockies were SO lovely that one member ever offered me her car for a week whilst I organised getting a new car (Thank you Zan!!!)

So I leave this blog with a plea that you all CHECK YOUR BRAKES!! And make sure that you take the leap to do things you want to do in your life, as you really never know when something could stand in your way. Come and sing with us, let yourself go, make incredible friends that will support you through thick and thin. You only live once!!

Sign up for your FREE taster session at www.rockchoir.com

Lots of love

Jen xxxx

The week before it begins….

The week before the new Rock Choir academic year begins is always the busiest; in order for each leader to feel the most confident and prepared for the upcoming term including songs, dance routines (or ‘kittens’ as I like to call them... don’t ask, just accept it….), events, charity plans and development, we all attend the Pre-Term Training!

Every Rock Choir Leader from across the country attends; from Scotland to Bournemouth, Cornwall to Kent, everyone gets together to share their thoughts on the upcoming events and plans for the Rock Choir year. The leaders are split into different year groups depending on when Caroline Redman Lusher employed them – I was part of the 2^nd group of leaders in 2010 so am going into my 4^th year of Rock Choir!

The leaders aren’t just colleagues though, they’re friends :)

From Right: Jim, Pippa, Jan, Me, Nik 

From Right: Lottie, Lucy and Me

As we’ve all come from different walks of life and musical/business experience, it means that we really all can learn so much from each other. Some leaders are extremely gifted pianists and can help other leaders with their improvising skills, some leaders know extremely technical vocal techniques to share with the team, and some are fantastic conductors, who can demonstrate new and exciting ways to lead the choirs. You really do learn something new every training session!

As well as learning, we always have a good sing through the upcoming songs being taught so we can hear how fabulous they sound. Have a look at this clip of us singing 

I Believe in a thing called love

After training I have a few days to do any last minute tweaking, lesson planning, practicing and more PRACTICING!

As well as all the preparation I have to do as a Rock Choir Leader, I meet up with my wonderful Prefects and helpers every term for a get together. It’s not only a social occasion (normally with bubbles or hot chocolate!) but it also gives me an opportunity to brief them on the upcoming year. Prefects are such an important part of making sure our Rock Choir sessions are as fun an welcoming as they are – the Prefects are the ‘go to’ Rock Choir face alongside the leader, so if anyone has a problem or query they can go to them if the leader is unavailable. They are more often then not, the ‘rock’ for every leader… helping them set up, pack down, meet and greet, help with flyering, help with socials and generally be there in ways you couldn’t imagine! I love my Prefects dearly.

So, as I count down the hours (less than 6!) to the brand new Rock Choir year, I ask, how can I really be this excited after so many years?? Why? Because through all that life throws at you, singing for fun with Rock Choir really does make you happy.

If you’d like to join a Rock Choir near you, go to www.rockchoir.com

Lots of love

Jen xxxx

My first blog - a message to my surrogate family!

Welcome everyone to my first blog, ever!

I'm Jenny Deacon and I am a very happy Rock Choir Leader in Hampshire and Dorset! This is my 4th year working for this fantastic contemporary choir company and feel that I now really understand the genuine benefits that comes with singing, and I want to share it with all of you. 

Rock Choir provides a safe, fun and rewarding experience where people from all walks of life can come and sing in a group with no judgement, no musical ability required and no pressure. Members will be taught feel-good songs from across 5 decades in styles of Pop, Gospel, Motown and Rock, and will take part in performances and concerts in their local community, along with making friends for life. It is literally 'The People's Choir'.

I run choir sessions in Southampton, New Forest, Christchurch and Bournemouth and we really do have so much fun! I'm a big community person and love getting involved with local groups and charities, in fact, the majority of the concerts we perform are extremely local to each of the choir areas and we raise a lot of money for charity! Helping others through singing is such a simple idea, but so effective!

Here are some members who performed at Woodpeckers Retirement home in Brockenhurst

Rock Choir is now going into their 9th year, concluding their 8 year anniversary with 2 huge performances at the Liverpool arena and the O2 arena, which were simply breathtaking. I don't think any one of the 60 leaders will ever forget that moment when we first saw from the stage the 16,000 members singing, dancing and smiling so beautifully. 

A great shot from our O2 arena show

Every single Rock Choir Leader and their members across the UK worked their talented bums off to create such incredible shows, and I think there are probably a lot of people that think these things 'just happen', but they would be wrong!! There is so much that goes into making a fantastic Rock Choir rehearsal, let alone the arena shows, so I'm going to share with you my week to week journey behind the scenes as a Rock Choir Leader!

Over the years I have met some absolutely incredible people through Rock Choir - members, office staff and leaders alike - incredible for their sense of humor, incredible for their upbeat personalities, for their bravery, their sometimes painful upbringing, for their courage through illness, but most importantly, their incredible loyalty and support. 
My loyalty will always be to the people I see every week at rehearsals, and the colleagues who have supported me through my journey. For them, I would do anything in my power to make them happy, for it is they who have shaped my life. They are my family!

Come and be a part of the family in Bournemouth, Christchurch, New Forest and Southampton and try us out for a FREE taster session at www.rockchoir.com 

All my love,

Jenny
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