Claire Bridgewater – Rock Choir Bristol
Claire joined Rock Choir in Bristol in January 2016, at a moment when life at home was beginning to shift. Her elder daughter had just started university in Shropshire, her younger daughter was becoming more independent, and Claire realised it might be the right time to do something for herself.
She had seen Rock Choir advertised locally and had been thinking about giving it a try for a while. Eventually she gathered the courage to sign up for a taster session.
Walking through the doors on her own that evening was not easy, but the nerves quickly faded once the music began.
“We started learning Erasure’s ‘A Little Respect’, which was a favourite of mine. I already knew the lyrics so was lulled into a false sense of security!”
From that very first rehearsal, Claire knew she had found something special.
Taking that first step
That first night proved to be the start of a journey that would bring Claire far more than she ever expected. What began as a small step outside her comfort zone soon became a regular and joyful part of her life.
Week by week she grew more confident, settling into rehearsals and getting to know the other members around her. Before long, Rock Choir had become something she truly looked forward to.
From Abbey Road to Hyde Park
Over the years Claire has enjoyed a remarkable range of experiences through Rock Choir.
One of the highlights was recording at Abbey Road, an unforgettable moment for any singer. She has also taken part in a huge flash mob in Hyde Park for The Proms, performed twice at the Edinburgh Fringe and sung at Wembley Stadium.
And of course, she fondly remembers being part of the spectacular Rock Choir Live show at the BP Pulse Arena.
Each event brought its own excitement, but the smaller performances have been just as memorable.
The magic of the smaller moments
Claire says some of her favourite memories come from the more intimate performances closer to home.
Singing together outside Bath Abbey in Santa hats during the festive season is one that always stands out. The atmosphere, the music and the crowds who gather to listen make it a special experience every time.
Local fetes and busking style fundraising events also hold a special place in her heart, often drawing enthusiastic audiences and creating moments of shared joy through music.
For Claire, every performance, large or small, brings the same sense of enjoyment.
Friendships that changed everything
One of the most meaningful parts of Claire’s Rock Choir journey has been the friendships she has made along the way.
The sense of connection within the Bristol choirs has become an important part of her life, and some of those friendships have grown particularly close.
She has three friends she spends a great deal of time with now, and the remarkable thing is that they might never have met if they had not all joined Rock Choir within months of each other.
Those relationships have made her experience even more special and have added another dimension to her time with the choir.
Ten years of music and memories
Looking back now, Claire can hardly believe how quickly the time has passed.
“Ten years has passed in a flash & I’ve had the best of experiences, here’s to many more!”
What began as a moment of courage, walking through the doors of a rehearsal room alone, has grown into ten years filled with music, performances and friendships that have made a lasting difference to her life.
And for Claire, the journey is far from over.
