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Rolling Hills Chamber Music

LXCL:Rolling Hills Chamber Music is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of central Iowa residents and working artists through live music experiences that inspire joy, creativity, and connection. Our flagship event, Rolling Hills Music Festival, launches August 6-9, 2026 in Ames, Iowa. Join us in bringing the rolling hills alive with the sound of homegrown classical music!

Join us for a playful afternoon of chamber music designed especially for children 🎶 Musicians from Rolling Hills Chamber Music will introduce each piece in simple, engaging ways, showing how instruments work together to tell a story. Kids can listen up close, ask questions, and discover how classical music sounds in a small ensemble. By registering, you help us plan a welcoming, comfortable space for young listeners and their families.

Children's Concert

Discover music being written now. In collaboration with the Iowa Composers Forum, this program spotlights new works by Midwestern composers played by some of central Iowa&#39;s finest musicians.&nbsp; PROGRAM:&nbsp;Denise Knaack&nbsp;- Twist Your Sail and Trust the Wind&nbsp;Daniel Swilley - On Awareness (world premiere)Peter Swanson - Crash Against Me, You Will Find Something MoreWarren Gooch - MIMOSPhilip Wharton - UndergroundTimothy Kramer -&nbsp;Stelae&nbsp;(select movements)&nbsp; PERFORMERS:Kimberly Helton, fluteGregory Oakes, clarinetJonathan Sturm, violinAri Dubin, violinPeter Swanson, celloNicholas Roth, piano Note: Program is subject to change.

Iowan Sounds

Bring your instrument and join the band! We&#39;ll gather to play some chamber music the way it was intended to be played: not on big stages but among friends in intimate spaces. Players of all levels are welcome to join.&nbsp; Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Plus, take a stroll through the Ames History Museum as they feature musical artifacts from their collection! More details coming soon.

Community Play-Along

&quot;We&#39;re all just walking each other home,&quot; Ram Dass said. This program features string music that honors home and belonging:&nbsp; Shelley Washington &ndash; Middleground&nbsp;(2015)Maurice Ravel &ndash; Sonata for Violin and Cello (1920&ndash;1922), dedicated in memory of the composer Claude DebussyAnton&iacute;n Dvoř&aacute;k &ndash; String Quartet No. 12, &quot;American&quot; (1893) Rachel Walter, violinAri Dubin, violinRoslyn Green, violaYeil Park, cello

Homeward Bound

Actually, life IS a walk in the park &mdash; at least for one night! Rolling Hills Music Festival kicks off with an immersive outdoor concert to be enjoyed at your own pace. Make your way through McFarland Park to the sounds of live classical music played by local and regional musicians:&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Ames native Caleb Hans Polashek will dazzle with original solo violin music inspired by Iowa&#39;s natural landscape and moments of everyday life.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Hailing from eastern Iowa, guitarist Abigail Rae will present a mix of historical works and her own compositions.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Des Moines-based Erica Leake McKnight and Steven Kennedy join forces for the flute-guitar set you never knew you needed.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Four Ames string talents form a one-night-only string quartet playing heartwarming tunes: violinists Dekel Luban and Gretchen Theesfield, violist Nathalie Cruden, and cellist Yeil Park.</li></ul>Pack your blanket, a snack, and maybe some bug spray for an evening of music that feels exactly like summer is meant to.

Rolling Hills Chamber Music

Past events

Past events

Children's Concert

Iowan Sounds

Community Play-Along

Homeward Bound

A Walk in the Park

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