Bay College announces 2025 Summer Concert Series

ESCANABA — Strings on the Bay, the summer chamber music series presented by Bay College, returns this summer with a lineup of concerts. All performances will take place in the Besse Theater on the Escanaba Bay College campus, starting at 7.m. on select Tuesdays each month.

This summer marks the final season under the direction of Paul Lundin, whose leadership and artistry have shaped Strings on the Bay for over three decades. Beginning next season, longtime Strings on the Bay flutist, Emily Olson, will step into the role of director, continuing the tradition and bringing new energy to this beloved series.

Tuesday, June 24 at 7p.m. | Menagerie

The season opens with Menagerie, featuring Franz Schubert’s celebrated Trout Quintet–one of the most beloved works in all chamber music for piano and strings. Violinist and Strings on the Bay director, Paul Lundin, will be joined by pianist Robert Conway, violist Joseph Deller, cellist Ivana Biliskov, and bassist Grant Phillips to bring this joyful and dynamic masterpiece to life. This warm, energetic program is the perfect way to kick off the summer series.

Tuesday, July 15 at 7 p.m. | Rhymes and Seasons

The second concert, Rhymes and Seasons, showcases the talent of Brittany DeYoung, principal harpist for both the Lansing and Ann Arbor Symphonies. DeYoung’s performance will transport audiences through a musical exploration of poetry, nature, and the changing seasons, featuring lyrical works that highlight the harp’s elegance and versatility.

Tuesday, August 12 at 7 p.m. ET | Nordic Dreams

The series concludes with Nordic Dreams, performed by the True North Quartet, an ensemble founded by Lundin and an audience favorite since their debut with Strings on the Bay in 2010. This enchanting program includes music by Swedish composers Franz Berwald and Lars Erik Larsson, along with selections from the Danish String Quartet’s Wood Works–a collection of folk melodies from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, reimagined with rich, modern string arrangements.

Tickets are available online, in-person at the Besse Center Box Office, or at the door prior to each concert. Admission is $15, or $7 for any student Kindergarten through Bay. Bundle all three concerts for $35 (a savings of $10), by visiting baycollege.tix.com, adding each concert to your cart, and entering the discount code 3 for 35 at checkout.

Strings on the Bay would not be possible without the generous sponsors. Bay College thanks those for their generous contributions. Sponsorship opportunities are available for $130 and includes two tickets to each concert, name(s) in the program, and a tax donation receipt. For more information or to become a sponsor, visit Bay College Foundation or mail a check to: Bay College Foundation, 2001 N. Lincoln Rd. Escanaba, MI 49829.