Martin Noh, founding member and violinist of Kodak Quartet.

The organization, settled in a resort area and partnered with a storied arts center, has a classical music station that draws upon a richly developed music scene it helps to celebrate.

“So a friend of mine had a dinner party a couple of months ago, and I shook somebody’s hand and introduced myself,” shares Amanda Sewell. As she went through this innocuous bit of small talk, the person made a sudden move after Sewell shared that she was the Music Director at Interlochen Public Radio (IPR)’s Classical IPR, an experience that she still remembers. “She hugged me. This woman about my age just threw her arms around me and hugged me.”

Broadcasting from northern Michigan’s picturesque landscapes, IPR is a station that defies expectations of what classical music can mean to a rural community. Sewell, along with Executive Director Peter Payette, who oversees both Classical IPR and its news operations, have cultivated a haven alongside their teams where classical music thrives not just within concert halls but across lakeside cottages and small-town venues, offering a kind of respite that provokes the joy Sewell saw at that dinner party. “Knowing that we are forging those kinds of connections is just really special.”

Interlochen itself is a haven for many. “This is a resort area, and Interlochen Public Radio was always synonymous with life up north,” says Payette. Growing up in southern Michigan, he recalls how IPR’s broadcasts filled every cottage he visited during summers spent by the lakes. “When I got into public radio, I thought, wouldn’t it be great to work at Interlochen?” For Payette, the allure wasn’t just the scenic beauty but the unique opportunity to be part of Interlochen Center for the Arts, the station’s licensee and a longstanding institution for artists from around the world.

Sewell’s journey to IPR is equally compelling. Armed with a Ph.D. in Musicology, she moved to northern Michigan in 2013. “I started volunteering at IPR a couple of hours a week,” she says. What began as a part-time fill-in hosting gig evolved into her becoming the Music Director by 2019. “I discovered that it’s a great use of my skills and knowledge from academia.”

The station’s connection to Interlochen Center for the Arts infuses it with a vibrancy that’s rare in classical radio. “We view ourselves as a bridge between the campus and the broader community,” Payette explains. One benefit of the partnership is that IPR broadcasts youth orchestra performances live in the summers, a tradition dating back to the 1930s when CBS and NBC aired from Interlochen. “There’s a youthfulness to our posture that comes from being a part of this school for young artists.”

But the richness of classical music in the region isn’t confined to the campus. “I’m delighted by the amount of classical music happening in this region that’s not connected to Interlochen Center for the Arts,” says Sewell. From community bands to professional orchestras, the area boasts a surprising depth of musical engagement. “There’s an orchestra in Sault Ste. Marie. I know folks here who drive six, eight hours to play in the Marquette Symphony Orchestra in the Upper Peninsula.”

When asked how classical music flourishes in such a rural setting, both don’t have a definite answer, but Sewell reflects, “I think people like making music, and they like attending. There’s a real commitment.” Payette adds, “Some of it’s Interlochen, some of it’s just who’s here. Resort communities want to have music and have been able to create music scenes, particularly in the summer, that go beyond what a region like this would have.”

This passion translates into IPR’s programming philosophy. “Freedom” is a word that comes up often when talking to the two. For them, it’s a freedom that allows them to experiment and engage listeners in unexpected ways. “We want things to be inclusive and accessible,” says Sewell. She recalls attending classical concerts where newcomers were shushed for applauding between movements. “I want to avoid that. I want everyone to just come and hopefully find something that they like.”

This openness extends to the music itself. IPR isn’t afraid to play pieces that might not fit the traditional classical mold. “We can also play things that are fun and whimsical,” Sewell notes. This approach has not always been without its critics. “We do get messages from people admonishing us for not playing ‘real’ classical music,” she admits. Yet, the station remains committed to its vision. “We make it a point to just not take ourselves so seriously.”

Payette believes that being a public station in a rural area grants IPR a unique freedom of its own. “We’re not looking at PPMs; we’re not obsessing over every tenth of a point,” he says. This allows the station to take risks, like taking part in a multi-day festival celebrating the works of Steve Reich, including performances by groups Eighth Blackbird and Third Coast Percussion. While some listeners found it challenging, meaningful dialogues often emerge. Payette recalls a listener who complained about the avant-garde piece but later became a sustaining donor. “He heard the explanation that we’re about living music and accepted it at some level.”

Community engagement is at the core of IPR’s mission. The station doesn’t just broadcast music; it actively connects artists with venues and audiences. “We do a lot of email handshakes,” says Sewell. She mentions helping musicians find unexpected performance spaces like the Music House Museum. “We can try things, and we’re not afraid to try things.”

One standout experience involves the ensemble QuinTango. Payette shares how the station facilitated their regional tours. “They have an alumna who wanted to bring her ensemble to northern Michigan,” he says. IPR connected them with smaller arts organizations, resulting in successful concerts and the recording of new albums. “Now, northern Michigan has this new ensemble that likes to come here.”

These efforts create a ripple effect, enriching the cultural fabric of the region. “We can set the table; we can be the connector to all kinds of people making things happen,” Payette emphasizes. Sewell adds, “There’s a real sense of community; always knowing people who are a part of the events.” It’s paid off, as the station continues to grow its listenership year over year, a feat in any region, especially a rural one.

In celebration of Public Radio Music Day Interlochen Public Radio stands as a testament to that very theme. In a region where one might not expect classical music to thrive, Payette, Sewell, and the entire IPR team have created a vibrant, inclusive community. Through innovation, engagement, and a touch of whimsy, they’re not just broadcasting music—they’re weaving it into the very fabric of northern Michigan life.