Oakland Youth Orchestras Receives $17,500 Grant From The State Of Michigan Council For Arts And Cultural Affairs

ROCHESTER, MI – January 9, 2017-- Oakland Youth Orchestras (OYO) has been awarded a grant of $17,500 from the State of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). The grant was awarded through the MCACA peer review process and was one of 559 applications to compete for MCACA fiscal year 2017 funding.

OYO is grateful for the support of local legislators, the governor and the MCACA. Michigan House Democratic Leader, Tim Greimel is a key supporter of the arts and OYO. “Participation in the arts is a critical component to the education of young people,” Greimel said. “…Oakland Youth Orchestras has provided a priceless experience for students to engage in the arts on a sophisticated level. In addition to increasing their musical skills, students also learn the importance of investing their talents back into the community, and, as a representative of this area, I thank these students for their commitment to making Oakland County a more vibrant place…”

Organizations receiving a MCACA grant are required to match those funds with other public and private dollars. OYO is also supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, Corporate and Foundational Support from Oakland University Department of Music, DCI Aerotech, Charity Motors, Kroger, Meijer and Community Foundation Greater Rochester whose cumulative support totals $16,600.

The 17,500 MCACA grant will be used for public performances, chamber concerts, outreach recitals, auditions for the coming season, administration costs, marketing and publicity. The funds are crucial for OYO to provide a premier music education program and performance opportunities to its participants. OYO gives back to the community as well by providing concerts, and recitals at local senior centers and retirement homes in the Detroit Metro Area.

In addition to the funding by the above mentioned sponsors, OYO greatly appreciates the financial support from its members, alumni, and advertisers that provide over $18,350 in monetary funds. Tuition alone covers only 60% of OYO’s operating costs, and OYO relies on public and private funding, community support and advertising to make up the rest of the deficit.

The MCACA peer review process allows for each grant application to be completely considered by a panel of in-state and out-of-state arts and cultural professionals. This ensures the taxpayers, who support this project through legislative appropriations, and all other visitors or residents in Michigan will have access to the highest quality arts and cultural experiences.

A complete list of grant awards around the state is available by contacting MCACA at (517) 241-4011, or by visiting the MCACA website:

http://www.michiganbusiness.org/cm/Files/MCACA/2017_Funding_Plan_Program.pdf?rnd=1479397436274

Oakland Youth Orchestras has been educating and enriching youth through music since 1975. OYO is a four-tiered orchestra program (Studio String, String, Philharmonia and Symphony orchestras) serving over 350 students in grades two through twelve from Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair counties in southeast Michigan. The mission of OYO is to inspire student musicians by providing an exceptional orchestral experience to public, private and home schooled students. OYO fosters enrichment through opportunities in music theory, chamber music, community outreach performances and competitions.

Visit www.oyomi.org to learn more about OYO and why it has been, and will continue to be one of the finest youth orchestras in southeast Michigan.