Susan Jeynes – Rock Choir Solihull & Dorridge
Long before joining Rock Choir, Susan was used to singing with a very different kind of group.
Back in the 1970s, she sang in a rock band, where holding back wasn’t exactly part of the job. Many years later, after seeing Rock Choir on Facebook, Susan decided it was time to start singing again.
Joining her local Rock Choir in Solihull and Dorridge has given her the opportunity to rediscover something she had once loved, while bringing new people into her life along the way.
Rediscovering the joy of singing
For Susan, one of the best parts of joining has simply been enjoying singing again.
Her rock band days haven’t completely left her, though.
“Unfortunately, I do tend to be a bit too loud, but I’m working on it!”
After years of being used to belting out songs, adjusting to singing as part of a choir has taken some getting used to.
“I think I am being quiet, but not enough. Hopefully I will get the hang of it soon.”
She’s even told the people around her to give her a poke or a look whenever she gets particularly carried away.
And while Susan has enjoyed the songs and experiences she’s had so far, there’s one thing she’d happily have more of.
Rock songs.
A much-needed uplift
Behind Susan’s humour is another important reason why being part of Rock Choir means so much to her.
A two-time cancer survivor, Susan is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer, which she expects to continue until at least 2028.
During that experience, having somewhere to go, people to meet and singing to look forward to has become particularly valuable.
“Joining the choir has given me a reason and the strength and much-needed uplift to carry on.”
It’s something Susan doesn’t take for granted.
New people and an old passion
Alongside rediscovering her love of singing, Susan has particularly valued meeting new people through her local choir.
After first finding Rock Choir through Facebook, she has found herself surrounded by like-minded people while reconnecting with a passion that stretches all the way back to her rock band days in the 1970s.
There may still be occasions when she gets carried away and belts out a song a little louder than intended, but perhaps that’s part of what makes singing feel so familiar again.
For Susan, Rock Choir has brought together something old and something new: a lifelong love of singing and a new community to enjoy it with.
