As the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, the Flint Institute of Music has been invited to take part in a historic, nationwide moment — through the power of music, collaboration and community.

FIM has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes. The grant will support the commission and premiere of a new orchestral fanfare to be performed during Flint’s annual Fourth of July celebration, bringing together musicians across generations and continents.

The new work will be composed by Flint native and Flint School of Performing Arts alumnus Jonathan Bailey Holland — a name Flint Symphony-goers may recognize as composer of Halcyon Sun, which was performed by the FSO in their final classical concert of the 2023-24 season. The new work will be performed by a collaborative ensemble of the Flint Symphony Orchestra, the Flint Youth Symphony Orchestra and a visiting youth orchestra from Limonest, France, and it will honor Marquis de Lafayette, a vital French ally during the American Revolution. The nod to Lafayette is meant to celebrate the enduring bonds between nations, cultures and people.

For FIM, this project reflects a mission rooted in connection: using the arts to bridge generations, foster global exchange and celebrate shared history. The performance also builds on a long-standing partnership between FIM youth ensembles and Limonest, welcoming young musicians from France to Flint for a meaningful cultural exchange centered on creativity and collaboration.

“It’s an honor to be granted an opportunity to take part in this national celebration of our country’s history and recognize the many heroes responsible for our prosperity,” said Rodney Lontine, FIM President and CEO. “We’ve always known the importance of the arts as a cultural connector, and it’s a privilege to participate in this special, historical moment.”

Premiering during a community-wide Fourth of July celebration that includes live entertainment and fireworks, the fanfare will serve as both a tribute to history and a hopeful expression of the future; one that is written, performed and shared together.