Oakway Children's Choir @ FPC Northville

Oakway Children's Choir First Performance Oct 2025.jpeg

Have fun while learning vocal skills, developing music literacy, and building performance confidence. No musical experience necessary.

Calling All Children Ages 5–14

The Oakway Children's Choir is a community-based, church sponsored outreach program. The Oakway Children's Choir welcomes all area children ages 5–14, including those from OAKland and WAYne counties, OAKWAY.

Music is a thread that weaves hearts together, a healing force that transcends boundaries, and a universal language spoken by all. Through the pure, unifying voices of our children, we lift melodies of love, echo harmonies of hope, and shine the light of joy into every corner of the world. In every note, we share our dream: a world united in song.

The choir season runs from September to June and includes four eight-week sessions with weekly rehearsals on Tuesday evenings. Sessions will end in a performance held at First Presbyterian Church of Northville. Each eight-week session is $125, or the full season is $400. Scholarships are available; contact the director for more info.

Choir Season 2025–2026

Weekly rehearsals on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.

Fall Session

$125

Begins September 9

Performance the week of October 26

Holiday Session

$125

Begins November 4

Performance the week of December 21

Winter Session

$125

Begins January 13

Performance on March 15

Spring Session

$125

Begins April 7

Performance May 26

Oakway Children's Choir Director

Tom Bowman is a multi-faceted composer, conductor, educator, and performer. He received his undergraduate degree in Vocal Music Education from Wayne State University. Tom is currently teaching elementary music in Detroit Public Schools and serves as Assistant Director of the Northville Chorale. He has a proven track record of creating engaging and inspiring learning environments where children thrive both musically and personally. Tom's teaching philosophy centers on nurturing each child's unique voice and fostering a lifelong appreciation for music. Tom is passionate about bringing the love, hope, and joy of music to the wider community.

Email: tombowman@fpcnorthville.org

Phone: (248) 349-0911

Musical Development

Choir participation can significantly enhance a child's musical development and appreciation. Children learn vocal techniques including proper breathing, pitch accuracy, and tone production.

Children will gain an appreciation for a wide range of musical styles and genres, enriching their musical understanding.

Choir can improve a child's pitch perception and overall musicianship.

Cognitive Benefits

Choir can improve a child's memory and concentration as they learn and memorize songs.

Studies have shown a positive correlation between musical training and enhanced cognitive skills such as improved memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities.

Music education can strengthen neural pathways connected to language processing, memory retention, and mathematical thinking.

Social and Emotional Benefits

Singing in a choir fosters teamwork, teaching cooperation, communication, and mutual respect among members.

Public performances build confidence and self-esteem.

Music provides an outlet for emotional expression, helping children learn to identify and express their feelings.

Choir promotes social inclusion, creating a sense of belonging and community for the children.

It helps children develop empathy and understanding by exploring diverse musical pieces and perspectives.

Other Benefits

Singing helps children develop proper breathing techniques and improve lung capacity.

Choir participation can instill discipline and responsibility, teaching the importance of commitment and regular practice.

It can improve academic performance, with studies suggesting that students involved in music programs tend to excel academically.

Choir can be a source of stress relief and promote relaxation in children.