A Rock Testimony

The following testimony comes from Verity Brayshaw, who, along with her husband Paul, found themselves involved in Rock by accident last year. They were collared by some members of the Gloucester and district Christian Choir and a few others from the CCCF. Read on for more:

Our journey with “Rock”, started in the Half term in May 2009, when we were away camping at the 40th Anniversary of CCCF, Caravanning and Camping Christian Fellowship, in Malvern. Paul had decided that we would stay the full week, finishing with watching some Rock show at the end of the week. At this point we had no idea what this was going to mean to us as individuals and a family.

We were welcomed into the CCCF and felt comfortable enough, that when someone mentioned that they were doing a number of singing workshops, we both decided to join in. For Paul, it was sink or swim, but the CCCF people were there to stop him drowning. We bought both a music score and a word book. I had the music score and Paul elected for just the words as he had no knowledge of a music score. “Do you sing, tenor or bass”, was the question, “I just growl” was Paul’s answer, “Excellent bass, and submerge yourself with these guys and they will help you.”; “Who is the main tune? – soprano; right that’s where I am”. Each song was played once or twice and we were to sing along. We thought everyone was rather clever, being able to read their music perfectly, until we realised that this group were part of the Gloucester Choir and other joining choirs and had been rehearsing for months, either waiting for their Tour performance, or has just performed on one of the previous Tours. We had about 5 hours of rehearsal time and we purchased the CD, so we could listen in the car outside rehearsal time. The spirit of the music caught us by the second number and we were hooked. It was fantastic and we looked forward to singing it when ever we could.

The musical, “Rock”, was the story of Simon Peter, starting when we first meet Cornelius, a Roman Solider, waiting to speak to Peter and then we hear all about Peter and his time with Jesus. Peter: first fishing for fish and then souls. The story continues past the crucifixion through to the beginning of Christianity. When we performed this musical at the end of the week it was done as a concert with some of the Gloucester choir singing the main leads. However Roger Jones the composer of “Rock” came to see it and spoke afterwards. My children, Edward and Gemma, sitting in the front row were mesmerised by what Roger had to say, which was amazing to watch and a great privilege.

This was our first part of the journey with this amazing musical, because we were told that Tour 4 was coming to Dorset and surrounding counties. This was fantastic, because it gave us the opportunity to really learn it and to sing again and again. Once home I contacted the relevant people and we managed to join the Choir at Broadstone performing at the Tivoli and also a choir at Chandlers Ford.

By the time we had our first rehearsal at Broadstone in July; we had listened to it for many hours and sung along to the CD. Paul and I were feeling quietly confident, however, Paul soon realised that singing Bass didn’t mean that you sung the tune an octave lower, but that in places, they sung a completely different tune. He needed extra help and luckily each section of the choir had their own specific tune on a CD to listen too and this helped him with learning it. Each choir was a mixture of different Christian denominations from Catholics to Methodists to Salvation Army. We all had a great time together, learning the music as well as listening to a Choir Talk, lead by Roger Jones on a CD. This brought what we were doing to a different dimension and led to more understanding and of course, closer to God. We were reminded; that we were God’s chosen people, not only to sing in the choir, but to spread the gospel and to feel Jesus’ love.

Paul and I performed at Chandlers Ford on the 10th Oct in Chandlers Ford Methodist church. We were conducted by Roger Jones and his cast and crew joined us for a most spiritual evening. The cast and crew were made up of actors, dancers and 4 instrumentalist, plus technical crew and support staff. The story was brought to life through drama, music and dance. The story was about Peter and his family life and how Jesus led him to develop the Christian Church. I learnt a lot about Peter and that he wasn’t prefect, often speaking before engaging brain, something I know I can relate too.

Edward and Gemma came to many of the rehearsals, enduring late nights and constant music tracks in the car. The Choir and cast welcomed them with open arms. Devon Brown, who played Simon Peter, spent a bit of time with them before the show, and Bill who played Cornelius, joined them in his full armour, during the performance. Everyone in the church had a great night and one could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. Some of the Broadstone Choir came to see the show and others went to Salisbury, another location, the following night. Paul and I looked forward very much to the Wimborne performance at the Tivoli. Each performance that the cast do is unique, because at each location there is a different choir, each time being lead by Roger.

On the 17th October, we sung at the Tivoli in Wimborne. This time in a theatre, a very different setting for Worship, but with a larger stage there was more room for all the performers. This performance was even more special for me, because my mother and her sister came to see the show, as well as a few other friends. The great thing about the Tivoli is that people who wouldn’t normally go to church would be able to witness the message of Jesus and possible feel the Holy Spirit for themselves. The people in the audience that I spoke to, said that they felt spiritually uplifted.

I have never had the opportunity to be able to go on an Alpha course and feel the Holy Spirit myself, but performing “Rock” has brought me closer to God and I feel that I was touched by the Holy Spirit in these performances. The music and lyrics for both Paul and I was so amazing and uplifting, that we were able to reach out and feel the presence of God for ourselves.

Our journey with “Rock” had not ended yet. Paul and I went off to Birmingham, to the Birmingham Symphony Hall on the 14th November 2009, for two more performances in their Grand Finale with over 1,500 people singing in the choir. The spirit of God was with us the whole weekend, keeping us safe in the car despite someone trying to crash into us on the A34. The weather in the south was appalling, but the sun shone and the roads were mostly dry. We stayed dry the whole day despite heavy rain shower. It stopped when we wanted to go outside. We found food, and hotel with ease and the journey home was straight forward too.

The shows were an awesome experience. The spirit of “Rock”, I hope will continue with us, forever. I have personally performed in many shows, but nothing has ever touched me like this. For Paul, a non singer, he has found his voice, stood up in front of hundreds of people and performed like a pro. The fellowship with everyone involved with “Rock” has been uplifting and will be held close to our hearts. “Rock” is an unforgettable experience, thank you God.