I love Facebook contests. Every time we have a contest engaging our Facebook friends, it adds to our fan-page and allows the FIM to talk to the members of the community we serve, one-on-one and in a relaxed almost 'coffee house' sort of atmosphere. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts have allowed us to find out what our friends and patrons like about our programs, classes, concerts and productions in a way we were never able to before. Social media platforms enable us to have this conversation. In celebration of hitting the 1,500 Facebook friend number, we want to offer our friends old and new a chance to win some prizes and get to know the Flint Institute of Music better.

The Flint Institute of Music is made up of the Flint Symphony Orchestra, Flint School of Performing Arts and Flint Youth Theatre. The 1,500 Facebook Friend Celebration contest will ask three questions about each FIM organization, the answers to all the questions can be found on our web-site www.thefim.org, our Facebook fan-page www.facebook.com/flintinstituteofmusic  and in many of our season brochures, class brochures, pamphlets and literature. Some of the questions will have answers in all or most of our institutional  literature and virtually ALL of the answers can be found somewhere on our web-site. So kids, there will be absolutely no trick questions, this is an open-book test, our favorite kind! So without further ado, here are the questions:

Flint Symphony Orchestra

1. What is the name of the string quartet and storyteller who perform at local schools?

2. What annual event features uplifting music and dance performances, a family dinner, and an  interactive workshop for students featuring the FSO Guest Artist and culminates in a Gala scholarship fundraiser that includes an FSO Classical Concert?

3. How old was Maestro Diemecke when he began playing the violin?

Flint School of Performing Arts

1. This is the number of instruments on which private lessons are available at FSPA.

2. How many dance ensembles are available in the FSPA Dance Division?

3. What professional dance company is featured in Nutcracker?

Flint Youth Theatre

1. What is Shadow Puppet Playtime?

2. What is the theme of the 2010-2011 Signature Series?

3. How many 'Off the Press' staged readings are scheduled for 2010-2011?

Once you have the answers, simply e-mail them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  with the title 'Contest Answers.' All correct answers will be put in a big hat and a name will be drawn (by an impartial FSPA student) from each category. Answers must be e-mailed by Friday, October 24 by midnight. Winners will be announced Wednesday, October 29 on the wall of the FIM Facebook fan-page. Make sure to include your contact  information in your e-mail.

Prizes include: one private music lesson, free Dramatic Breaks tuition, cool t-shirts and a voucher for two tickets to an FSO Classical Concert.

Rules and Regulations: One winner per catagory. You may enter all three catagories. Prizes will be available for pick-up for two weeks after the winners have been announced. Past winners are not eligible for this contest, sorry guys, let somebody else have a chance.

Amy Trottier is the Social Media Coordinator at the Flint Institute of Music