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Flagler Youth Orchestra reports rising enrollment, steady finances and new state-aligned curriculum work
Summary
Program leaders told the board the Flagler Youth Orchestra’s enrollment rose to 183, the organization received a private gift of just over $25,000, and staff are aligning instruction and rubrics to state performing-arts standards.
The Flagler Youth Orchestra (FYO) reported enrollment of 183 students and said its program and finances are steady as it enters its third year of general-fund support.
“Enrollment right now is 183 and growing,” said Mister Graves, the orchestra’s executive presenter to the board on Sept. 23. Graves said the program now represents students from every Flagler public school, has seven staff members and offers three concerts annually.
Why it matters: the program provides string-instrument instruction many families cannot easily access outside the district. Staff said the orchestra supplements district music offerings, supports student engagement and helps build skills linked to academic success.
Financial and program details - Funding and balances: the general fund covers roughly 70.75% of instructor contracts; the FYO internal account is used to cover shortfalls. Staff reported a beginning balance for FY2024 of about $7,800 and an August 30 balance near $5,400, and said the organization was the recipient of a private gift of just over $25,000 that will be deposited into the internal account. - Revenue sources: FYO raises funds through concerts (last year’s concert revenue totaled about $12,000), donations, instrument rental fees ($15 annually) and occasional quartet performances for community events. Staff said scholarships are available so families who cannot pay are not excluded. - Instructional alignment: the program is expanding rehearsal time for advanced groups and said it is aligning lesson plans and rubrics to CPALMS/FDOE performing-arts standards, work led by a newly hired certified music teacher.
Board questions and next steps Board members asked about the sustainability of fundraising; staff said concert and donation revenue have covered the local share of contracts in past years. Finance and internal-account disbursements follow district internal-control procedures and require two signatures or finance-department processing.
Ending: Staff invited board members to attend a concert; the orchestra will continue to refine fee structures, pursue donations and align teaching with state standards.
