Current Projects:

• Manistee Summer Sun Sets

We are continuing our concert series at the beach in Manistee, MI. These concerts will consist of a nationally touring band opened and accompanied by a student or student group. On top of being an incredible standalone experience, these concerts will give the students an opportunity to see what being a professionally touring musician is all about. These will also be free community events, giving everyone the chance to gather and connect while enjoying top-tier live music and supporting the arts in our community.

• Roots on the River

New to Music Sparks Meaning, but longstanding in the community, will be the 2024 Roots on the River Concert Series. Previously helmed by the Manistee Jaycees, Roots on the River is a run of 6+ free community concerts on the riverwalk gazebo by the veterans memorial. All of our board members were impacted in some way to pursue music by attending Roots on the River events in our youth - we are living proof of the importance of the series in our community. We will continue the series with assistance from the Jaycees in a ‘handoff’ trial year so we can ensure smooth transition while being able to incorporate some of our values and goals.

• Music in Schools

Another goal we have for the 2024/2025 school year is to bring professional musicians directly into schools to provide a unique and memorable learning experience. There are countless benefits and case studies to reference as to the long-lasting rewards in communities that have these types of programs. We want to expose as many people as possible to more sides of what music has to offer, whether performance, production, as a listener, or otherwise. This program has the added benefit of creating more opportunities to local and regional artists in months that are slower.

These programs are made possible in part by grants from the Manistee County Community Foundation - Limitless Fund and the Manistee Community Foundation - John D. and Michelle M. Bueker Music Fund, the Manistee County Community Foundation