Rock Choir virtual festival adds £40,000 to Comic Relief fundraising total
A weekend of events by the national choir has helped to raise money for the biennial charity fundraiser.
The virtual event took place between March 12 - 14
Submitted by Olivia Cooper
A live virtual weekend festival has helped to raise over £40,000 for Comic Relief.
Hosted by the Rock Choir, a contemporary choir made up of 32,000 members from across the UK, the event was delivered using technology skills developed by the group during lockdown to help facilitate their online choir sessions.
The event involved different Rock Choir Leaders from across England, Scotland and Wales going live at different times over the weekend and handing over the broadcast to each other in shifts, culminating in the final live concert, professionally produced and directed at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and featuring a live band.
The concert took place in line with strict government guidelines but allowed the Rock Choir Leaders to deliver an emotional and powerful performance.
The concert took place in an empty auditorium but was streamed live to thousands of households across the globe as families watched from the comfort of their own homes.
All members and the general public were invited to purchase tickets and join in with the live interactive virtual festival which will see all profits raised going to Comic Relief.
Amongst other activities led by the team, the audience was treated to a live singing and stage confidence workshop hosted by actor and musical theatre star Gary Wilmot MBE and his wife Sara followed by an exercise work-out with Mr Motivator, and a children’s session with BBC Cbeebies star Katy Ashworth.
Dancing, cooking, cocktail-making and karaoke was also crammed in leading to the live streamed concert finale on the Sunday evening.
Caroline Redman Lusher, Creator and Creative Director of Rock Choir said: "It was an emotional reunion for both the Rock Choir Leaders and the HQ team as they met in Birmingham to perform a live streamed concert which created the finale to our huge Rock Choir Comic Relief Weekend.
"I am so proud of my entire team for planning and executing the weekend - it was a huge success and so far we have raised £40,000 for Comic Relief and this total is still rising.
"A year ago we wouldn’t have had the knowledge or the technical skills to deliver a concert like this.
"However, we are all desperate to return to physical rehearsals and see our precious Rockies again. Nothing can compare with the power and emotions we feel when we sing together in a room as one."
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Ali Styles, Relationship Fundraising Manager for Comic Relief, said: "The money raised by amazing fundraisers like the team at Rock Choir will help some of the most vulnerable people in the UK and around the world find safety and support – and turn their lives around.
"We’re so grateful to Rock Choir and can’t thank them enough for their support."
The public can still donate to the Rock Choir Comic Relief Fundraiser by donating here.
