“On November 11, The Troubadours visited Valley once again to show us what a wonderful world we live in! The Troubadours, professional musicians from the Flint School of Performing Arts at the Flint Institute of Music, told their musical story through four different string instruments and many colorful pictures and props. With a mission to show the schools they visit many educational, interactive and entertaining musical selections, the Troubadours succeeded at Valley without a doubt, as you can see from these pictures!” That’s what Valley School student Thomas Cushing reported in a story for his school newspaper The Valley Wombat about the visit to his school from The Troubadours, a string quartet and storyteller who travel to schools throughout Genesee County spreading musical joy and education about different types of world music and cultural traditions. The Troubadours' concerts are free to all Genesee County schools.

The Troubadours, a program of the Flint Symphony Orchestra, were formed in 1994 and consist of a string quartet and one storyteller. According to veteran Troubadour, and Flint Symphony Orchestra First Violinist and Associate Concertmaster, Mary Margaret St. John, “Our mission is to reinforce what schools are already doing to stress the importance of education and character education. We do this through music, movement and storytelling during our fast moving, half-hour interactive presentation.”

St. John explains that the “brainstorming” process begins in January, when the troupe meets to decide the focus of the next season’s show. “We then create a title that will explain where the show will go. We also choose which areas of the world we will visit via music representative of each area. Sometimes, the music is of a classical nature and sometimes it is folk music of the region. We discuss what props, additional instruments, such as the electric violin and the string bass, and what costuming will be needed to create the appropriate atmosphere, as we include the children in our presentation.” Once a concept has been generated, the group collaborates on a script that will “spark children’s imaginations in an educational and inspirational way,” adds St. John.

Rehearsals begin at the end of the summer, with school visits beginning in October and continuing through June. The Troubadours visit over 100 schools each year. A hands on musical instrument ‘playground’ is included in all The Troubadours shows, giving students the opportunity to try playing different stringed instruments. “Since we visit most schools every year with a new and fun learning experience, we have become added role models in their lives, stressing the importance of getting an education and being a respectful and respected person,” says St. John.

The 2010-11 theme is The Places You Can Go ~ Adventures in Music. Next season’s theme is still top secret, but it’s definitely in the “brainstorming” phase! For more information about booking a visit by The Troubadours, contact Mary Margaret St. John at 810.238.6159 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .