Rock Voices

Find Your Voice

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY SUPERSOURCEMEDIA.COM

“Here’s a secret: Everyone can sing. They just think they can’t because they’ve never been encouraged,” said Tony Lechner, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Rock Voices.

What if you knew that singing was like anything else – not an innate talent, but a skill that can be developed? It’s never too late. Find the joy and freedom that music can bring into your life with Rock Voices – a choral group unlike any other.

UNLEARN WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW The hallmark of Rock Voices is there are no auditions and you don’t have be able to read music. “Pursuing music can get sidetracked because usually, you have to prove your ability to participate. You have to show your merit to be included. People can love music more than anything in the world, but that’s a huge obstacle for them,” said Rock Voices Director Nate Altimari. Rock Voices is open to everyone. It’s a safe, fun, and relaxed place to sing the songs you already know – popular rock music from the 60s to today. “People just love this music. Rock music is America’s classic music. It’s the soundtrack of our lives,” said Lechner.

FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT Rock Voices is a collection of 16 groups, mainly spread throughout New England, that has two local choirs; one of approximately 100 members based in Albany, and one with 87 members that meets in Saratoga. “There’s strength in numbers. It helps people feel more confident because they are surrounded by people just like them. It takes the pressure off and you should hear the sound - the sound of 100 people singing together is, WOW!” said Lechner. Altimari tells his groups that confidence begets confidence: if you can begin by pretending like you’re confident, you’ll start feeling more confident as a singer. “Look to your peers. They’re in the same boat as you in one way or another. There is another person feeling exactly the same way you are, so lean on them, let your shortcomings role off you as if they’re not a big deal. Stop singing for a moment if you need to. There are always enough other people singing,” he said.

BELIEVE YOUR CHEERLEADERS

The bad stuff may be easier to believe, but if you listen to your cheerleaders, you’ll be a whole lot happier.

“A big part of why we’re so successful is because this is a positive environment organically. It squashes those feelings of ‘less than.’ People here are cheering for you. It’s a celebration that is palpable. The supportive nature here is apparent almost immediately when you come in,” said Altimari.

It was because he had the support of his parents, his wife, Sara, and others, that Lechner pursued music, and began Rock Voices eight years ago. They had a two-year-old and a newborn to support when he quit his “safe” teaching jobs to manage this risky Rock Voices venture full-time.

“It was just so inspiring and moving what it did for people. It is proof that if you believe strongly enough in something, you can make it happen,” he said.

This music moves you. It’s a joy that radiates into the audience during the Rock Voices concerts, and gets them moving, too.

“There’s a life-changing element to what it brings. It has a healing nature for every single person,” said Altimari.

The Rock Voices Spring Concert will be held April 19th at 6 p.m. in the Saratoga Abundant Life Church, 2 Hutchins Road, Saratoga Springs. Tickets are available at BrownPaperTickets.com

S S The 12-week Summer Season of Rock Voices begins in May. For more information, go to RockVoices.com S S