Royal Oak Performing Arts News
April Newsletter
Upcoming Events:
THIS MONTH:
- April 2 & 4- Performing Arts Tour
- April 9- ROHS Choir Booster Meeting
- April 9, 10 & 11- 5th Grade Instrument Fittings at ROHS
- April 16- Northwood 1, 2 & 3rd Grade Concert at ROMS
- April 18- Oakland 2 & 3rd Grade Concert
- April 22- Upton 4th Grade Concert
- April 23- Keller 2nd Grade Concert
- April 24- Oakland 1st Grade Concert
- April 25- Addams 4th Grade Concert
- April 26, 27 & 28- ROHS Choir TAG Days
- April 29-Upton 5th Grade Concert
- April 30- Oak Ridge 4th Grade Concert
NEXT MONTH:
- May 2- ROHS Choir Banquet/Year-End Celebration
- May 3- Addams 5th Grade Concert
- May 6- Upton 3rd Grade Concert
- May 7- Keller 4th Grade Concert
- May 7- Addams 3rd Grade Concert
- May 8 & 9- ROHS Choir ROX Concert
- May 13- ROHS Choir Booster Meeting
- May 14- ROHS Spring Orchestra Concert
- May 15- ROHS Spring Band Concert
- May 16- ROMS Spring Band Concert
- May 17- ROHS Choir Senior Recital
- May 20- ROMS Spring Orchestra Concert
- May 21- ROHS Band & Orchestra Booster Meeting
- May 22- ROHS Jazz Showcase
- May 23- Oak Ridge Red, White, & Blue Day
- May 27- ROHS & ROMS Marching Band Memorial Day Parade
- May 28- ROHS Band & Orchestra End of the Year Celebration
- May 28- ROMS Spring Choir Concert
- May 31- 2024/2025 Marching Band Rehearsal & Parent Meeting
Jump Start Music Program Next Event
Instrument Fitting Nights
This event is held after school in the Band and Orchestra rooms at ROHS. It is required for any 5th grade student who is interested in and/or is planning to participate in the 6th grade Band or Orchestra classes.
During this event, students will work individually with a Music Department staff member or McCourt's Music Group clinician to explore the available instrument choices. By the end of their one-on-one session, each student will be matched to the instrument they are most interested in and/or best suited to play. A typical fitting session takes around 15 minutes once it has begun; however, depending on when arrival times, wait times to begin the fittings will vary. Please note students and their families can arrive at any point during the event, but we advise families to stick to their assigned date- as this helps to minimize wait times.
See dates, times and FAQs on flyer below:
March is Music in Our Schools Month
What an amazing March the Music Department had!
Please read through the sections below to see what's been happening in the Music Department
Student Spotlight
ROHS Band Rocks at MSBOA
- The ROHS Wind Ensemble received Straight 1's all A's at District Band & Orchestra Festival and will perform at State Band & Orchestra Festival in May
- The ROHS Symphony Band received Straight 1's all A's at District Band & Orchestra Festival
- The ROHS Clarinet Choir received 1st Division Ratings at both District and State Solo & Ensemble. They were also nominated to the MSBOA Honors Ensemble Concert at WMU
- The ROHS Percussion Ensemble received 1st Division Rating at both District and State Solo & Ensemble
- Mary Johnson, clarinet soloist, and Kate Stoffers, oboe soloist, both received a 1st Division Rating at both District and State Solo & Ensembles
- The following students and groups received 1st Division Ratings at District Solo & Ensemble: Kiersten Ciccone, Anna Young, Katherine Brunette, Morgan Barteld, the ROHS Saxophone Ensemble, Sophia Funtick, Gigi Boyagen, Brady Collins, and Liam Watkins
ROHS Choir Receives Top Ratings from MSVMA
- The ROHS ACapella received a near perfect score (119/120), perfect scores in sight reading, and an overall 1st First Division ratings at District Choral Festival
- The ROHS Concert Treble choirs received perfect scores in sight reading and an overall 1st First Division ratings at District Choral Festival. Plus the Concert Treble Choir was also the largest choir at the festival
Fun Experience for ROMS Students
Members of the Detroit Federation of Musicians Brass Quintet played for ROMS Band 3 students back on February 2nd. Neal Campbell (Tuba), Susan Mutter (French Horn), Bryan Pokorney (Trombone), Jamey Bostek (Trumpet), and John Hartwick (Trumpet) performed a variety of different music. The students were not only able to listen to these fine musicians perform, but they were also able to ask questions about what it is like to be a professional musician
Teacher Spotlight
Kirsten Williams Awarded Teacher of the Year!!
A surprise was in store for Royal Oak High School Teacher Kirsten Williams, who was named Royal Oak Schools High School Teacher of the Year! She sat amongst her peers during a professional development session when Interim Principal Angela Ashburn started discussing teacher of the year. "In choir, her ability to engage students through creative teaching methods, foster creative thinking, and instill the love of learning and music is commendable," she read before announcing Kirsten's name. Kirsten was happily surprised by her husband and family members, Superintendent Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Staff and Student Services Patrick Wolynski, and Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Joseph Youanes.
Miss One of Our Concerts? Check Out these Videos and Pictures Below!
On March 20th, at Oak Ridge Elementary, 2nd Grade honored “Music in Our Schools Month”. This is the assembly for the students who are practicing audience etiquette.
On March 19th, the 3rd grade students at Keller celebrated all things Spring. Students sang about the astronomical first day, playing in the mud, sneezing, and even chasing the bunnies away from the garden. They demonstrated their ability to sing in large groups, sing partner songs and sing rounds- several students even had the opportunity to sing a vocal solo!
March 5th, was the 1st Grade concert at Oak Ridge entitled “Percussion Parade”. Each student wore a color to match a family within the Percussion Instruments. There are 5 families: Woods, metals, membranes (skins), shakers, and scrapers.
On-Going ROHS Band & Orchestra Fundraisers
- Shop at KROGER. Register your Kroger card for our Community Rewards. Old members should update their account number to WU326. New members can enroll by searching for "ROYAL OAK HS BAND & ORCHESTRA BOOSTERS," or by new account #WU326. Sign up here: http://www.kroger.com
- Shop at GORDON FOOD SERVICE. When you shop at Gordon Foods, let them know at checkout that you are shopping for "Royal Oak Bands & Orchestras" and the Boosters will receive discount points to use on supplies.
ROHS Choir Spirit Wear
The store will be open all year for families to purchase at their leisure!
Please note there are colors associated with each ensemble, so if a student would like to purchase a hoodie, they're encouraged to get a hoodie in their ensemble's coordinating color:
Raven Singers/Bella Voce- Grey
Vocalise- Blue
ACap- Black.
Excited to see these items worn throughout the year!
Staff Video
Here you will find more information about our staff and our programs. You can also access live concert links, archived newsletters, our full calendar, and more important information!
More Music Newletters
Click on the links below to check out more Music Department and Music Booster newsletters:
Addams/Upton Music with Mr. Watson
Addams Music with Mrs. Johnson
Any questions? Please contact our District Music Coordinator, Mary Johnson at: