The Royal Oak Children’s Choir began in the summer of 1997 under the name of the Royal Oak Capitol Choir. The purpose and philosophy was to give children an opportunity to learn through a comprehensive approach, integrating academics and experience. 1998-99 was the first season that ROCC operated as a nine month, tuition based group. The theme of the 1999 Spring Tour was the science of the ocean and the history of clipper ships. Sea chanteys and music with the theme of water were performed in Boston and at Mystic Seaport, Connecticut.
In 1999-2000 the children’s choir turned to the music of Afro-America. The singers learned music from Africa, the slavery fields of Southern America and the Civil War. They traced black America’s musical history through protest, blues, jazz and gospel. Their studies included an in depth look into the Underground Railroad.
When selecting the ROCC 2002 theme of Music Theater with a tour to New York City, no one could have anticipated that the choir would also experience a significant part of American History. The singers made a solemn visit to the site where the World Trade Towers once stood. There the choir poured out their hearts in the song ŌęYou’ll Never Walk Alone” to the people of New York. The children went to Rockefeller Center to sing on the Today Show and be seen for the first time on national television.
With sunshine in their souls and starlight in their eyes ROCC adopted the theme of ŌęThe Sun, the Moon and the Stars” for their next theme of study and in June of 2003 they headed off to Space Camp in Huntsville Alabama!
In June 2005 ROCC traveled by train across our country’s Great Plains to the Purple Mountains Majesties of Colorado. They had a chuck wagon supper, learned about the life of the American Cowboy and performed many folk songs around the campfire and horseback riding at the ranch. ROCC kids also sang about the beauty of our great country overlooking Pikes Peak at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.
The 2006-2007 choir year experienced many changes with the retirement of Ms. Paree. That Bon Voyage concert was truly a memorable experience with a wonderful performance by the children and former alumni. This was also the first opportunity for the families to meet our Interim Director, Mr. Donald Milton, III. The choir then headed off to Boston MA. The highlight of the trip was a concert at the historic Old North Church.
The start of the 2007-2008 season kicked off with a successful retreat at The First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak in August. Interim Director, Mr. Milton introduced the kids to a few of his close friends who are professional music teachers who taught very exciting music sessions to the kids which culminated with a concert and reception for the families.
This year, 2008-2009 is already promising to be a wonderful year. Our Assistant Director, Mrs. Jan Stewart stepped up to take the position of Executive Director and our beloved Ms. Paree (now Mrs. Behrens) has agreed to come back and help as Accompanist to Mrs. Stewart. The Director’s team is rounded out with Kaitlyn Hahn (former ROCC member) as the Assistant to the Director. We’ve got many new faces and lots of faces returning. We’ve also got some really exciting events planned for the Kids for the year which include a trip to Cedar Point and our tour to Northern Michigan!!!
