Non-Profit Organization for Community Musicians, RAC Founding Member
The Richmond Orchestra and Chorus Association (ROCA) is a non-profit organization that provides the opportunity for community musicians to rehearse and perform a variety of music, from classical to modern, in a series of six concerts per year. They are committed to musical excellence, building connections through audience engagement, nurturing musical talent and providing community service through its programs.
ROCA consistently delivers high-quality orchestral and choral music to the Lower Mainland and keeps ticket prices at a level which makes live music concerts accessible to everyone while promoting local musicians as well as featuring guest appearances from Canada’s top talent.
ROCA combines a full soprano-alto-tenor-bass (SATB) chorus with a 40-instrument symphonic orchestra. The Chorus and Orchestra perform together and separately and can tackle great classical masterworks as well as musical theatre favourites, opera and pop renditions. The Association is composed of about 80-90 members split between Orchestra and Chorus. It is non-denominational and multicultural, includes persons with disabilities, and has membership ages from youth to seniors, all walks of life, and all identities. The organization is always open to new members. Auditions are held throughout each season. A contact page can be found on the ROCA website for anyone with choral or orchestral experience looking to join the group.
ROCA has just launched its Music Student Practicum Program in which local post-secondary students have the opportunity to rehearse and perform with the Orchestra, gaining experience creating music with a large variety of seasoned musicians in a non-university setting. ROCA also presents a “Rising Stars” concert each season that showcases young musicians as soloists from elementary to secondary age. These concerts are inspiring and impressive for all ages and are a highlight every year.
ROCA features Community Partner’s at their concerts – teaming up with organizations like Richmond Food Bank; social service organizations assisting families in need, persons with developmental and physical challenges, and at-risk youth; and animal care societies, etc. Complimentary tickets are provided to these organizations so that volunteers and clients can attend the concerts. ROCA’s hope is to treat these members of our community to live music experiences that they otherwise would not have had the opportunity to enjoy. Many of ROCA’s partners have reported benefiting from the Community Partner opportunity by advocating for their mission, receiving donations, finding volunteers, promoting their programs, and in some cases, encouraging a dialogue on hard issues.
When ROCA isn’t putting on one of its season concerts, you can find their members giving back to the community by providing free performances in senior residence homes, community centres, local malls, and at local festivals (including Arts Coalition’s “Songs in the Snow” series each year in Steveston). ROCA participates in Richmond Culture Days each year and is on hand when the community is in need: for example, performing in the fundraising event for the families affected by the Super Grocer fire.
For 40 years now, the Richmond Orchestra & Chorus Association has remained dedicated to increasing the awareness and appreciation of music in Richmond and beyond while giving back to the community that faithfully supports it.
