Fenton Community Orchestra Continues Fifth Season Celebration, Awarded Grant from Michigan Arts Council

FENTON, MI - Christmas came early for the Fenton Community Orchestra (FCO). Just a week after performing to a standing room only audience at the Fenton High School Ruby Zima Auditorium the FCO was awarded an $8,000 grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA).

The FCO will receive one of the 363 Operational and Project Support Grants from MCACA. The award was announced last Friday, December 19th. The funds will be used to support the basic day-to-day operations and administrative work involved in bringing great music to Fenton and surrounding communities.

“On behalf of the members of the Fenton Community Orchestra, our volunteer Board of Directors, and Music Director Andrew Perkins, I offer heartfelt thanks to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs for their grant of $8,000,” said FCO Board Member, Bob McLuckie. “We’re truly grateful for the Council’s vote of confidence and for their recognition of the value of the Orchestra. We also offer our deepest thanks to the local residents and businesses who’ve been loyal supporters of the Fenton Community Orchestra during our first 5 years. Your donations and your attendance at concerts have given life to a dream that began in 2010.”

The Fenton Community Orchestra, now in its fifth season, is a multi-generational orchestra that provides a place for musicians of all ages to connect through music by offering an educational and entertaining music program for its members and audiences. The FCO enriches educational opportunities for local youth to perform along side experienced musicians. Special chamber ensembles also perform in area elementary schools to introduce students to the instruments that make up the orchestra.

John Bracey, executive director of the MCACA, in a statement says “these grants provide access to arts and cultural programming in places and to people that may not have access without the work from their local arts and cultural organizations.” “These grant awards provide opportunity to our children to learn about life in a full way, to grow and think critically about the world they have been thrust into, and to express themselves.”

MCACA, part of the Michigan Strategic Fund / Michigan Economic Development Corporation, serves to encourage, develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative and cultural activity in Michigan.

The FCO is under the musical direction of Mr. Andrew Perkins, Director of Bands for Fenton Area Public Schools and is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. To learn more about the Fenton Community Orchestra, visit: www.fentoncommunityorchestra.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter.