Lynsay – Rock Choir Newcastle
Lynsay describes herself as a Scot living in Newcastle, and her Rock Choir story began with a simple suggestion from a neighbour.
He had noticed just how often she was singing.
“In the garden, around the house, in the car! Poor man!”
With her 40th birthday approaching, Lynsay decided it was the perfect moment to try something new. She began searching for a local choir and discovered that a brand new one was about to hold its first taster session. That choir was Rock Choir.
Walking into that very first session turned out to be the start of something much bigger.
“Lucky me! Came into the room, sat down and loved it from the start!”
Although she had not sung with others since school, she quickly found the techniques easy to pick up. Just as importantly, she began making new friends.
From the early days in Newcastle
Lynsay sings as an upper alto with the Newcastle choir led by Choir Leader Rob Slater. When she first joined, the group was still small, with around 25 members in Newcastle.
Because the choirs across the region were still growing, members often came together for performances, which meant everyone quickly got to know each other.
Those early shows sometimes required a little creativity too.
“We had to get together for every show at that point as there were only about 4 bass between us!”
Over the years Lynsay has watched the choirs grow across the region, something that still makes her smile.
“Poor Rob has had to put up with us old timers for a long time! But hasn’t the boy done good!”
So many moments along the way
After so many years with Rock Choir, Lynsay says it is impossible to choose just one highlight.
From the earliest small performances to community events in all kinds of weather, rehearsals every week and some extraordinary opportunities along the way, the experiences have built up over time.
She has sung at Abbey Road, performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, travelled to Disney Paris, appeared at Birmingham Arena twice, and most recently celebrated Rob’s 15 years leading choirs in the North East at The Glasshouse.
What matters most to her about all of those moments is the feeling they create.
“All have been feel good and sharing the joy of a good sing with friends!”
More than just singing
While the performances and opportunities have been special, the personal impact of Rock Choir has meant even more to Lynsay.
The friendships she has built have become lifelong ones, but singing has also supported her through difficult times.
During COVID she was living alone while working in a hospital and could not see her family. Even then the connection with the choir continued online, which meant a great deal.
More recently, Rock Choir became especially important after she lost her mum. At a time when she needed comfort and somewhere welcoming, being able to step into rehearsals and lose herself in the music helped her through.
“It always makes me feel better, energised and optimistic!”
A suggestion that changed everything
Looking back now, Lynsay is grateful that her neighbour suggested joining a choir all those years ago.
That one comment led her to music, friendship and experiences she never expected.
And while singing in a choir has certainly helped refine things a little, one habit has not changed.
She still sings at home.
Just perhaps, as she says, “maybe just more in tune.”
