About
Music is food for the soul. It warms and delights, inspires and uplifts. The Royal Oak Musicale, your local venue for community talent and entertainment, celebrates 102 years of inspirational music production, providing a creative and challenging outlet for those who love to sing and for those who love to listen.
Student award winners perform in May at First Congregational Church of Royal Oak.
Community talent is showcased on the third Tuesday of each month from September through May at First Congregational Church of Royal Oak. Concerts are free and open to the public.
The Royal Oak Musicale Chorus performs in December and May at First Congregational Church of Royal Oak.
Our Story
Royal Oak Musicale, first known as Monday Musicale of Royal Oak, was organized in 1924 to foster and promote music and musical interest in the community. The Club was federated with National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) that same year.
A Chorus was organized and performed on December 9, 1924 at the Methodist Church, directed by Grace Davis, one of the first officers. The Christmas 1925 program was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak. In the spring of 1929, the Chorus made its first appearance at the Michigan Federation of Music Clubs, participating with a combined chorus. Today, Royal Oak Musicale remains a member of both the Michigan and National Federation of Music Clubs.
Throughout the years, interest groups were formed within the Royal Oak Musicale including the Young Musicians League, Opera Ensemble, Chorus, Madrigal Singers, Bell Choir, and Recorder and Drama groups.
The Royal Oak Musicale took to heart the Michigan Federation of Music Club's "Healing with Music" project in the 1960's. The goal was to train volunteers for music therapy programs in settings for geriatric and physically and mentally handicapped individuals and war veterans. Individual teachers of voice and piano also taught up to 40 private lessons per week.
In 1959-'60, members gave more than 400 volunteer hours working with patients at Pontiac State Hospital. The number of hours was most among Michigan Federation of Music Clubs and helped rank the state club third in the nation for the initiative. In 1964, Royal Oak Musicale received an honorable mention for this project in the Federal Department Stores' 50th Anniversary Club Achievement Award competition.
Royal Oak Musicale has a tradition of long-term membership, with some active members in their 80s and 90s and many achieving 50 and 25 years of service.
The group proudly provides annual financial awards to talented high school seniors who plan to major or double major in music including performance, composition, theater, education, therapy and business. Middle school students are also eligible with a new financial aid award called Excellence in Music Youth Award.
Currently, Royal Oak Musicale supports a 25-member chorus and a 12-member Harmonics group. It presents concerts on the third Tuesday of the month from September through May and, as well, performs at community organizations and assisted living residences. Concerts are free and open to the public and feature talented local musicians.
Past Presidents 2000 - current
Mrs. Laura Dougherty 2000 - 2002 * Mrs. Violet Daniel 2002 - 2004 * Ms. Carole Varga 2004 - 2006 * Mrs. Marilyn Lee 2006 - 2008
Mrs. Ruth MacPhee 2008 - 2010 * Ms. Claire Mautner 2010 - 2013 * Ms. Jean Watson 2013 - 2016 * Mrs. Susan Allen 2016 - 2019
Ms. Jean Watson 2019 - 2023 * Ms. Ann Liska 2023 -
Officers
Ann Liska - President
Brenda Braidwood - Vice President, Recording Secretary, Publicity, Website
Susan Allen - Treasurer
Martha Hart - Corresponding Secretary, Chorus Manager
Board Members
Grace Brockett - Tuesday Performance Scheduling - Senior Financial Award Coordinator
Paula Savaglio - Youth Excellence in Music Award Coordinator
Christine Wist - Facebook Coordinator
Ann Liska, President, joined Royal Oak Musicale in 2018 and has served as President since March 2023. Ann sings in the Chorus and Harmonics. She began her career teaching string music in Peoria, Illinois. Later she became a collegiate registrar, serving schools in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Abu Dhabi, UAE. In addition to her Music Education degree, she holds a Master’s in Information Systems and an MFA in Creative Writing. She has played violin in many community orchestras and church groups. While living in Abu Dhabi, she sang with the Abu Dhabi Choral Group, Cantus Abu Dhabi, the National Symphony Orchestra chorus, and Voices of Harmony, a women’s barbershop group. She is a member of the Chancel Choir at First Congregational Church of Royal Oak, Michigan.
Ann joined a higher education consulting group in 2021 and has worked in interim or advisory roles for colleges and universities in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina and her current remote assignment in upstate New York.
Ann is an avid reader and a published writer of short stories.
Brenda Braidwood, Vice President and Secretary, has held various customer service and administrative positions throughout her lifetime including 16 years with Ameritech Cellular and American Messaging. She attended Auburn University in Alabama and Kent State University in Ohio receiving her BS degree in Fashion Merchandising. Brenda is the former business manager of Madison Chorale and was a member of St. Mary (Royal Oak) Folk Ensemble for 32 years. She is former editor of the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica (Royal Oak) weekly bulletin, the Shrine Herald. She crafts promotional material for the Musicale and oversees its website. Hobbies include crafting, reading and gardening.
Susan Allen, Treasurer, attended Wayne State University from 1966-1970 and was employed at Michigan Bell from 1970-1976. She returned to Ameritech in 1994 as a Service Manager and retired in 2012 after 25 years with Ameritech. She joined Royal Oak Musicale in 2012 and served as Vice President from 2014-2016, President from 2016-2019 and Treasurer from 2019-Present. She is a member of Michigan Federation of Music Clubs and currently serves as Treasurer for the Southeast District. She is a member of the Chorus.
Twylia Voshol, Music Director, is a graduate of Hope College with a degree in Instrumental Music Education. She directs the Chorus and Harmonics and is Director of Music at First United Methodist Church in Warren. In addition, she directs the Heritage Handbells at Heritage in the Hills in Auburn Hills. Venues include senior centers, senior living facilities and elementary schools.