ROHS Earns High Honors at Band & Choir Festivals

ROYAL OAK, MI - Royal Oak High School performing arts groups turned in strong performances at their recent Band and Choir Festivals. Four ROHS Choirs participated at the Michigan School Vocal Music Association Choral Festival.
· Concert Choir sang Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass at the primary level and received a one or Excellent First Division rating.
· Women's Ensemble sang Soprano (higher end), Soprano (lower end), Alto at the intermediate level and received a 1 or Excellent First Division rating. The group also received the highest rating of the Berkley Choral Festival
· A Cappella Choir sang Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass at the advanced level and received a 1 or Excellent First Division rating.
· Women of A Cappella Choir sang two distinct Soprano sections and two distinct Alto sections at the advanced level and received a one or Excellent First Division rating.

According to Choir Director Deborah Buffa, “Royal Oak High School was the only high school choir at the Berkley Festival that attempted advanced level performance and sight reading.”

ROHS hosted a Michigan Schools Band and Orchestra Association State Jazz Festival welcoming groups from 15 area schools. The three ROHS participating groups all received First Division ratings.

Band Director David Jensen reports in the 2016-2017 school year, all ROHS bands – Marching Band, Band, State Solo & Ensembles, Jazz Band - received First Division ratings in every festival they participated in. “This is rare and very worthy of celebration,” said Jensen.

“Congratulations to both David Jensen and Deborah Buffa, as well as all of our Performing Arts Students on such fantastic performances,” said Keith Kohring, Royal Oak Schools Coordinator of Music - K-12.

Photo courtesy of the Royal Oak Schools.