Horsham and Billingshurst singers join huge musical milestone event

Around 50 choir members from Horsham and Billingshurst joined forces with thousands of other Rock Choir singers from across the UK at the NEC Genting Arena in Birmingham on Saturday to sing a host of songs together.

The choirs had learned harmony parts for the songs during their weekly Wednesday practices and were treated to a stunning show, including the chance to sing with 80s’ chart toppers Chesney Hawkes and Kim Wilde.

Members joined in a special parade consisting of over 130 handmade, personalised flags, representing their local Rock Choirs.

Winners of Britain’s Got Talent Collabro were surprise guests and Horsham and Billingshurst choir leader Vikki Hewitt sang a solo in front of an audience of thousands.

“The whole weekend was amazing,” said Vikki. “I was absolutely blown away by the fantastic sound my members made. Well done to all involved!”

Rock Choir is the UK’s largest contemporary choir, with nearly 17,000 members in over 300 local communities. There are no auditions and no requirement to read music or have any previous singing experience.

Billingshurst Rock Choir member Beverley Longton, from Billingshurst, said: “Rock Choir is fun, strangely therapeutic and no matter what my week has been like I always come out of rehearsal on a Wednesday night feeling happier.

“In the last year we’ve sung at the Ideal Home Show, recorded at Abbey Road and even done a flash mob at Gatwick Airport. Things I would never had imagined myself doing!

“We sang our hearts out at the NEC on Saturday. Three hours’ later, exhausted and hoarse but still on a high, we sang” I am the one and only” most of the way home!”

Rock Choir members get together each week to attend fun, friendly rehearsals where they are taught specially arranged pop and chart songs. There are lots of performances throughout the year and many of them help raise money for charity.

Horsham and Billingshurst choirs regularly sing at events, raising money for charities such as Chestnut Tree House and Missing People.

For a free taster session or more information about times go to www.rockchoir.com or call 01252 714 276.

Report and pictures contributed by Sandra Walsh.