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.

"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.  ​