Concert Band offers ‘British Invasion!’ music from classical to 1960s

Popular music from the likes of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones will be weaved in among more traditional classical pieces when the Royal Oak Concert Band performs early next month.

The concert is the ROCB’s fourth in its 202324 season and is set for 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at the Royal Oak Middle School Auditorium, 709 N. Washington Avenue.

The Beatles and Rolling Stones were the top bands among 1960s English pop music performers that came to the U.S. during the British Invasion period.

“While we are playing classical band music we will also include a medley of hits from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones,” said Emily Borus, executive director and musician with the ROCB.

The Rolling Stones medley will include such songs as “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Ruby Tuesday” and “Paint it Black.”

The ROCB will perform “Yesterday,” by the Beatles, while its affiliate group, the Woodward Avenue Jazz Orchestra, is set to play “Blackbird” and “Norwegian Wood” by the Beatles.

“We enjoy playing these types of pieces,” Borus said, “and we’re working on more pop music for our performance during the Royal Oak Live event at Centennial Commons on June 2223.”

Royal Oak Live is a free two-day music festival in Royal Oak’s downtown park that started last year.

The ROCB will also perform more traditional works from earlier British composers, including Gustav Holst, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Kenneth Alford, at its May 5 concert.

Directed by Kevin R. Czarnik, the ROCB celebrates its 60th season with the upcoming “British Invasion!” concert.

The nonprofit Royal Oak Concert Band has been performing around south Oakland County since 1963.

Concert band members are from all walks of life — from high school juniors and seniors up to performers in their 70s.

Tickets for the May 5 concert are $12 for adults, and $10 for seniors. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online.

For more information and to buy tickets visit ROCB’s website at royaloakconcertband.org.