Opera House brings music and story together for students

Arla Ralston
Contributing Writer

A young boy travels to the hills of Appalachia to meet the old-time fiddle player whose music he has admired, and so sparks a friendship that will forge a bond between generations. From playing on the front porch to performing at folk festivals, the two carry on the tradition of passing down the music. This touching, lyrical story, Passing the Music Down, is an award winning children’s book by author Sarah Sullivan that tells the story of Pocahontas County renowned fiddler Jake Krack and his mentor, Melvin Wine.

The Opera House will bring author and musician together in a series of school performances for Pocahontas elementary school students Thursday and Friday this week.

The two will weave Krack’s music and Sullivan’s story together in a presentation that will share the story of how Sullivan came to write and publish the book as well as Krack’s musical journey. The performances are sponsored by the Pocahontas Opera House Youth Initiative Program.

Performances will take place at Hillsboro Elementary School Thursday, March 30, at 2:45 p.m. and Friday, March 31, at Green Bank at 10 a.m. and for Marlinton Elementary at 2 p.m. at the Pocahontas Opera House.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the Opera House performance.

Jake Krack will also perform with the Bing Brothers at the Opera House Saturday night, April 1, at 7:30 p.m.