Tours & Exchanges
Members of the FSPA performance ensembles have many exciting opportunities for domestic and international travel. These experiences provide priceless memories and forge friendships that cross oceans. Here are some of the recent opportunities FSPA students have experienced.
Flint Youth PhilharmoniaThis group travels every other year to cities in the Midwest United States and Ontario, Canada. Most recently, they toured Philadelphia in Spring 2019.
Flint Youth Wind EnsembleThis group toured Toronto in Spring 2015 and is planning to tour again soon.
Flint Youth Symphony OrchestraThis group goes on an international tour every other year to countries where they have sister relationships with other youth orchestras. On non-travel years, the FYSO plays host to their international friends, welcoming them to Flint. Most recently, FYSO traveled to Paris and Lyon, France in April 2018. They hosted the Limonest, France Youth Orchestra in July 2023 and will host the Arhensburg, Germany Youth Orchestra in October 2023. FYSO will tour Germany and France in June 2024.
Flint Youth Ballet
Approximately every four years, this group travels to Austria in the summer to participate in Young Tanzsommer! Most recently, in Spring 2023, they toured Memphis where they were hosted by Dance Collage Collective.
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, jjaksa@thefim.org, 810-238-1350 x 3126
Click on the videos below to learn about the Benton and Anderson families’ hosting experiences.