Appalachian String Initiative

05/29/2026

Today!

Join us Friday May 29 at 11:30 for an Eric Carle themed musical Storytime featuring the viola!

05/28/2026

What a great way to kick off our summer series with the Kate Love Simpson Library! Last night, Dr. Jose Rocha presented “Bach and Casals: Joyful Conversations” showcasing the influence of two prominent figures in cello history. Thank you Dr. Rocha for a wonderful performance!

05/28/2026

05/21/2026

Join us Friday May 29 at 11:30 for an Eric Carle themed musical Storytime featuring the viola!

05/18/2026

This was so much fun, what a great group of kids! If you’re interested in a similar class or private lessons, please reach out!

05/12/2026

The first presentation in our Katie Love Simpson Library summer series will feature Dr. José Rocha and the cello.

From Dr. José Rocha:

I am excited to present a special recital performing the first three cello suites by Johann Sebastian Bach intertwined with readings from Pablo Casals’ influential works “Joys and Sorrows” and “The Art of Interpretation.” This event aims to celebrate Casals’ immense contribution to the cello repertoire and his role in popularizing Bach’s suites as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of his birth.

The recital will celebrate Pablo Casals as a pivotal figure in classical music, particularly for his championing of Bach’s cello suites, which he transformed into a standard part of the cello repertoire. Through performance of the suites and readings of Casals’ reflections, Jose will inspire a profound connection between the philosophies of one of the foremost cellists of the 20th century and and the enduring power of Bach’s Suites

05/11/2026

We are happy to announce our upcoming partnership with the Kate Love Simpson Library in McConnelsville, Ohio! This summer, the Appalachian String Initiative will be providing a free, public 4 part lecture series for all ages interested in learning more about string music for at the library. Save the dates, and stay tuned for more information about each event! ‼️For those that saw the first post, the August date has been changed!

05/08/2026

So excited for these!

Hold these dates! Our friends at Appalachian String Initiative will put on a summer series of presentations here in McConnelsville at our Kate Love Simpson Library.

May 27 at 5 PM, Dr. Jose Rocha, OU Cello instructor will present Bach & Pablo Casals

June 24 at 5 PM, Musical Storytime

July 29 at 5 PM, The many personalities of the Violin, presentation by Julia Chandler

August 21 at 5 PM, Beneficial effects of music on the brain, presentation by Lily Chongswatdi

05/05/2026

05/04/2026

We are currently offering private string lessons at Downtown Sound starting in May! Message us to schedule your lesson!