Oakway Children's Choir | fpcnorthville

Calling all children ages 5 - 12.

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

The Oakway Children's Choir is a community based, church sponsored, program and outreach. Children from all communities throughout Wayne and Oakland counties are welcome.

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.

Our choir season includes four eight week sessions throughout the school year. Sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings and will be approximately forty five minutes to an hour beginning at either 6:00pm or 7:00pm depending on the child's age.

Each session will end in a performance held at First Presbyterian Church of Northville, though performance venues may change from time to time. Each eight week session is $125 or the full season is $400. Scholarships are available if needed.

Choir Season 2025 - 2026

Fall Session

$125

Begins September 9th with a final performance on October 28th

Holiday Session

$125

Begins November 4th with a final performance during First Presbyterian Church's Christmas Eve Family Service on December 24th

Spring Session

$125

Begins April 14th with a final performance on June 2nd

Winter Session

$125

Begins February 10th with a final performance during First Presbyterian Church's Easter Service on April 5th

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.
They are exposed to and 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 and social skills, teaching cooperation, communication, and mutual respect among members.
It builds confidence and self-esteem as children perform in front of an audience, giving them a sense of accomplishment.
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.