It’s unlikely there will be a mosh pit at the upcoming Rock Voices Newton show on January 17, even with the late Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” on the group’s set list.
Director Adam Bernstein has been busy helping the 100-person-strong choir get ready for the performance at Newton South, where singers will belt out a variety of hits from the 1960s through today. In addition to Osbourne, the show will feature well-known tunes by Cyndi Lauper, Adele, The Beach Boys, and many others.
“I love the chance to sing and build community. It is a weekly break from everything else going on – with family, work, and other volunteer commitments,” said member Christine Fisher, a Newton resident. “It is something I get to do just for me that brings me a lot of joy.”
While many members of Rock Voices Newton are from the city, some live in the surrounding area. There are more than 30 Rock Voices chapters around New England, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Oregon, said founder and executive director Tony Lechner.
Coming up with the idea for the organization in 2011 and forming the first group in 2012 in Hadley, Lechner said he founded the nonprofit “to provide a musical outlet for everyone who needs music in their lives.”
Unlike other choruses, Rock Voices does not require auditions and members do not need to know how to read music.
“Our choirs only sing rock music; the music that we all grew up with. It’s a lot like karaoke, except with a lot of other people supporting you,” Lechner said. “This is a way to feed your spirit and make new friends; something that’s harder to do once you’re out of your twenties.”
“When I saw a Rock Voices choir was starting in Newton [about 3½ years ago], I thought it would be a great chance to meet people in the community and get back into singing in a group,” said Fisher.
“Music is a wonderful way to gather together. It is good for the brain and the spirit and pushes us beyond our comfort zone,” said longtime Newton resident Mary Beth McIntyre about why she and her husband joined. “We are big rock music fans — that was one of the draws. Probably some of our favorite bands are the Eagles, Queen, Pretenders, Aerosmith, U2, [Bruce] Springsteen, and Pink.”
Another part of Rock Voices’ mission is to help those in need.
Lechner said he “wanted to provide a way for people to give back to their community with only the power of their voices, and so we raise money for local nonprofits at our concerts. In 2025 our combined choirs raised a total of $172,000 for charities.”
Members can nominate nonprofit organizations in their communities. The January 17 show will raise funds for the Newton Food Pantry from raffle sales at the concert.
Rock Voices Newton will perform on January 17, at 7PM at Newton South High School (140 Brandeis Road). To purchase tickets or learn more, visit rockvoices.com/choir_location/newton-ma/
