Our History

​​It all began as a stairwell conversation between Andy Bertsch, MSU business administration professor, and Erik Anderson, MSU music professor.  Working in the same building at MSU, Bertsch and Erik would often run into each other in the hallways and stairwells.  Those conversations were almost always centered around music and evolved into conversations about an orchestra playing classic rock.

 "Community Rocks! was Andy's brainchild. He had this crazy idea that we should put on this rock and roll orchestra event," Anderson said. "So we started talking about it, and we eventually said 'Let's make this happen.'"

"Erik was an easy sell as he would tell me stories about how he could play Van Halen's 'Eruption' on his cello and the times he played Zeppelin's Kashmir with 300 cellists.", Bertsch said.  They started formulating a plan by discussing venues, the people needed to organize the event, sponsorships, etc., and ultimately deciding what they really wanted was a philanthropic event. Both of them envisioned an opportunity to donate each year's proceeds to a worthy organization.
 
They also wanted to have a vocalist for many of the songs.  "Getting the audience involved is key to any rock-and-roll event and a vocalist can really engage the crowd. ", Bertsch said. They both agreed that Melissa Spelchen would be a perfect vocalist for such an event. "I was asked to sing, and I said yes immediately to singing in front of a 30-member orchestra led by Dr. Anderson and donating my time to terrific causes," said Melissa Spelchen, criminal justice assistant professor at MSU. "There is a lot of talent in Minot and to use those talents and give to others who are in need is exactly the piece of community service that we discuss time again at MSU. This is the exact vehicle for it."

"This event works well as Erik and I have complimentary strengths.  Erik knows how to put on a great show and I know how to throw a big party.  There is a lot of energy in the room when the entire audience is signing along to a classic rock song performed by the orchestra.", Bertsch said.

Now incorporated as a 501-c3 philanthropic organization, Community Rocks is focused on their mission of planning and delivering performance arts events to improve our community.  ​