Music To Our Ears

Davin Torre, Director, Flint Institute of Music, School of Performing Arts, shared a lot last week about the school.  Founded in 1917 by J. Dallas Dort, the school has grown to 3500 students and is the largest community school of arts in Michigan and the 8th largest in the United States.  Students come from 16 counties around Michigan and 45% of the students are from Flint.  The student body is comprised of 80% music students and 20% dance students.

Over the years, the Flint School of Performing Arts has instituted many outreach programs with various organizations throughout Genesee County.  One of the unique outreach programs is "Super Saturdays".  Through the outreach programs, children are identified who have "spark" and a real enthusiasm for music or dance.  They are invited to join "Super Saturdays" and if they complete 1 year in the program, they are eligible for tuition free to continue their education at the school.

Some of the other programs offered include "Super Strings" - for stringed instrument learning, and of course the widely popular Flint Youth Symphony,which is now 65 years old.  There are 75 musicians in the Flint Youth Symphony, representing 26 different zipcodes.  Members are between the ages of 11-20 years old and have traveled to other countries to put on performances.

Sunrise Rotary did provide a grant to the school this year (as a result of last year's golf outing), to their "Seeing Stars" program, a program that provides tuition assistance to "budding" musicians.

Upon conclusion of Davin's overview of the school, one of the students did an outstanding vocal performance for our club. 

For more information go to www.thefim.org.