History

Beacon Arts Michigan builds upon the enduring legacy of the Manistique Community Concerts, founded in 1968 by Dr. Robert and Mary King, Marion Orr, and Vesta Fyvie. This grassroots initiative brought classical chamber music to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, fostering a tradition of artistic excellence and community engagement. The series expanded to Escanaba through Strings on the Bay, led by esteemed string musicians and educators Arol and Dudley Beck. While the Manistique Community Concerts and Strings on the Bay remained primarily a classical chamber music series, the programming evolved to include jazz, sacred music, and youth performances over the decades, reflecting the region’s diverse musical interests.

In 1994, leadership transitioned to Paul Lundin, a native of Escanaba and accomplished violinist, who elevated the series by engaging artists from the Superior String Alliance, TrueNorth String Quartet, and professional symphony orchestras from Southeast Michigan. His vision brought new energy and expanded artistic reach to the concert series. Further growth occurred in 2015 with the addition of performances at the Erickson Center for the Arts in Curtis, MI, broadening access to high-quality chamber music in the region.

Beacon Arts Michigan honors this legacy by sustaining these valued partnerships and extending the concert series model to additional rural communities throughout Michigan. Through collaboration, education, and cultural celebration, Beacon Arts Michigan ensures that the spirit of regional artistry remains vibrant and accessible—preserving a rich heritage while cultivating future engagement statewide.