The transformative power of the arts.
For all of Flint.

Music Around Town

Friday Patio Nights at FIA

Fridays thru Aug 25 6:00 pm - Free Event

TONIGHT Aug 18 - FSO Family Night

Aug 25 - Rodeo Drive (Rock, Country, Blues, Funk)

Flint Institute of Arts Palette Cafe' Patio

Music Around Town

Summer Stars

Tuesday, Aug 22 6:00 pm - Free Event

Downtown Flint - Xolo Outdoor Stage

This concert is free and will feature samples from local restaurants, Xolo, Blackstone's, and 501 Bar & Grill. The gate to the patio is open, so please stop in and enjoy some food and music! Xolo will serve additional food and cocktails on the patio for purchase, but no purchase is necessary to come in and enjoy the concert!

There is limited patio seating, but lawn chairs are also welcome on the patio, as well as the surrounding grassy area. Don't miss an opportunity to support some sensational student talent, eat great food, and enjoy an unforgettable experience in beautiful downtown Flint.

Swon Brothers with special guests
Billy Gunther & The Midwest Riders and Shiatown
Thursday, Sep 7 6:00 pm - Free Event
Downtown Flint, E. 2nd St., between Saginaw and Brush Alley

Host Families Needed

Through its International Exchange Program, the Flint Youth Symphony Orchestra has hosted and been hosted by youth orchestras from France, England, Ireland, Scotland and Japan. Through these exchanges, participants share music and culture, and develop life-long friendships.

What does it mean to be a host?

- Hosts provide a place for their foreign guests (preferably at least 2 guests) to stay overnight during their time in the Flint area.

- Hosts provide many of the meals for their guests.

- Hosts provide transportation. Sometimes guests will need to be dropped off and picked up at FIM. They may also need rides to and from other locations. In the past, some families have worked together to do carpooling.

- Hosts provide family support for their guests. Many of the guests are young- middle and high school age, and often this is their first time overseas. Host families support their guests through this exciting, but stressful time.

- Host families provide cultural experiences for their guests. Just staying with the host family is a great way for the guests to experience a new culture. However, host families are encouraged to introduce their guests to local foods (i.e. Koegel’s hot dogs, slurpees) as well as activities (i.e., nature trails, board games).

Staying with host families is always a highlight for our visiting musicians.

Please consider being a host!

Sep 30 - Oct 8, 2023

Ahrensburg, Germany

Ahrensburg Youth Symphony Orchestra

approximately 56 students (ages 12-26)

If you are interested in becoming a host for our guests, please reach out to Jane Jaksa, Volunteer Coordinator, to begin the process. Feel free to reach out with any and all questions.

Jane Jaksa, [email protected], 810-238-1350 x 3126

Click the video below to listen to the Anderson family talk about their hosting experience.

Register Now for Fall

A journey of self-discovery, inspiration and transformation is open to all ages and skill levels in the music, dance and theatre instructional division of FIM. Join us for lessons, classes and ensembles or take a seat in the audience and share the excitement of our students and faculty as they perform in a wide variety of recitals, concerts and productions this season!

If you would like a printed copy of the FSPA 2023-2024 Catalog mailed to you, please get in touch with the FSPA Office: 810-238-1350 x 3.

To Register

FSPA Auditions

Ensemble Placement Auditions

For Flint Youth Symphony Orchestra, Flint Youth Wind Ensemble, Flint Youth Philharmonia, Flint Youth String Orchestra or Flint Youth Chorus

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Nutcracker

Registration: Saturday, September 9 and Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Auditions: September 29 - October 1, 2023

Music Lesson Merit Scholarship Auditions

Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Auditions: Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23, 2023

Theatre Merit Scholarship Auditions

Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Auditions: Saturday, September 23, 2023

For more information, call the FSPA office 810-238-1350 x3

Application Forms 

Message from the Executive Office

Area schools may be back in session, but we intend to celebrate summer as long as possible at FIM! That’s why we’ll continue our FREE concert series at the Flint Institute of Arts with a special performance by the Flint Symphony Orchestra Ensemble tonight! This concert is a family favorite in the Friday Night Patio series, as the ensemble will charm audience members of all ages with selections from Mozart to Motown, while the FIA serves up delicious food and beverage from its Palette Café.  

Of course, if your kiddos are wiped out after their first week or two of school, they might prefer to hang with Mike, Sully and the creepy gang of Monsters, Inc. at the Capitol Theatre tonight instead. We happen to think popcorn and M&Ms taste a little more magical under the stars of our historic theatre, and for moms and dads, a G rating doesn’t stop us from offering our adult beverage concessions, too!

You’ll have another opportunity to explore the magic of the Capitol Theatre on Sunday when we open the theatre for self-guided tours from 10 am to 4 pm. Or, take a break from Back to the Bricks between 1 and 3 pm to get a guided tour from Steve and Rosanne Heddy, who led the theatre restoration efforts in recent years. We’ll also have some special giveaways while they last.

Next week, as part of our Music Around Town programming, we’ll host another Summer Stars performance in Downtown Flint. This series highlights student performers in the community, and you won’t want to miss FSPA voice student Isabella LaFuente and singer/songwriter Millie Grasso as they take the outdoor stage at Xolo at 6 pm. Bring a lawn chair or hang out on the limited patio seating at Xolo to support these talented young people. We promise you won’t regret it! 

Sincerely,
Rodney Lontine
President and CEO

Thank you! To our 2023 newsletter underwriter, Security Credit Union.