“This is what I live for,” cellist Derek Menchan said about the “Voices of the People” performing arts series he calls a chamber music celebration. Presented by the Polk State College’s Philosophy Club and the Student Activities and Leadership Office, the second of four concerts on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. will make history as the first performance in the Polk State Lake Wales Arts Center.

As workers race to complete renovations in time for the concert, the Polk State College humanities and music professor revealed that there’s much more to the series than making music. With the heart of a beatnik and peacenik combined, Menchan hopes to raise the consciousness of the community by to adding enlightenment to entertainment.