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Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre

Maestro for a Moment NICK YOUNG!

Nicholas Young, Maestro for a Moment Candidate
Make a tax-deductible
donation today!

Candidate SELENA HUNT

Maestro for a Moment Candidate Selena Hunt
Make a tax-deductible
donation today!

Candidate BRYAN STEPP

Bryan Stepp, Maestro for a Moment Candidate
Make a tax-deductible
donation today!

Most Recent Articles

Welcome to the historic Ariel Opera House

Photo showing the historic 3 story brick building, The Ariel Opera House

Welcome to the Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre, the historic Ariel Opera House, permanent home of The Ohio Valley Symphony, in the heart of Gallipolis, Ohio. Explore our website for upcoming performances and events, lessons, directions, and history! Be sure to contact the Ariel Opera House Box Office at 740-446-ARTS (2787) if you have any questions or if we may help you in planning your next visit to Gallipolis.

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Maestro for a Moment FUN-draiser

20-24 Maetro Candidates Selena Hunt, Bryan Stepp, and Nicholas Young

Congratulations Maestro for a Moment Nick Young! The Ohio Valley Symphony’s annual Maestro for a Moment Fundraiser is one of the highlights of the season for both audience and orchestra! Each season three candidates vie for the opportunity to conduct the orchestra during the The Christmas Show on December 2nd, 2023, in a rousing rendition of Sleigh Ride! Thank you to this year’s candidates are Selena Hunt, owner of The Flour Girls Baking Company located just down the street on Second Avenue; Bryan Stepp, Exec. VP of Lending/Credit at The Ohio Valley Bank Company; and Nicholas Young, Bands Director at Gallia Academy High School and Middle School.

Make your tax-deductible donation now!
Click one – or all! – of the Paypal links above!

The Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Cultural & Performing Arts Centre and The Ohio Valley Symphony are 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, Federal Tax ID# 31-1273779

Learn more about our candidates by clicking “Read More”

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Ariel’s Merry TUBACHRISTMAS!

Tuba wrapped in red scarf PosterJoin the fun at the ARIEL’S MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS!
December 9, 2023 at 2 pm
FREE CONCERT!

MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS is celebrating its 49th Anniversary (1974-2023). Created by Harvey Phillips, MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS 2023 will be presented in over 300 cities throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. TUBACHRISTMAS ensembles may attract participants aged 8 to over 90 years! The warm, rich organ-like sound of tuba-euphonium choir has won the ears and hearts of every audience!

Come and Listen 100% FREE!
TUBACHRISTMAS is 100% FREE for audience members who just want to come into our hall and experience the event. No tickets are necessary. It’s sure to be loads of fun, and will get you in the Christmas Spirit! Always the second Saturday in December at 2 pm.

Participate $10-OR-
Join in the Fun and PLAY ALONG!

Pre-Register to Participate Today!

Bring your Tuba, Baritone, Euphonium, or other big brass buddy and join in the fun at the Ariel Theatre! Participants pay  $10 to participate and will receive a 2023 commemorative button! Plus there are lots of souvenirs and music books available for purchase! Register at the door, or save time and Pre-Register here and we’ll have everything ready for you when you arrive!

Registration begins at 10:30am ~ Rehearsal begins at 11:00am

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Yuletide Joy!

Yuletide Joy poster showing Christmas tree on a gold background with title and date December 10, 2023 at 3pm3:00 p.m.
FREE CONCERT!

Join us in the historic Ariel Chamber Theatre as we unwrap the beauty of the season through the gift of music!

Music teachers Rebecca Honett and John McAlister bring together the talented students of The Ariel Academy to present vocal and piano performances featuring favorite holiday carols, classical standards, and contemporary classics – with favorites from the Broadway stage and silver screen.

From intimate solo performances to eight hands playing four keyboards simultaneously, there’s sure to be something for everyone. We invite all families and friends to share in this joyous afternoon that is sure to make your season merry and bright! And don’t forget to make post-recital plans to visit Gallipolis in Lights, a dazzling display of thousands of twinkling lights in Gallipolis City Park, as the perfect kiss goodnight to this festive day.

No Tickets Necessary • Donations are welcome!

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THE ENIGMATIC ELGAR! The Ohio Valley Symphony

240316 OVS Elgar PosterMarch 16, 2024
at 7:30 p.m.
PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

British composer Edward Elgar’s music will be featured when the Cincinnati Symphony’s principal cellist Ilya Finkelshteyn joins Maestro François López-Ferrer and the OVS for the Cello Concerto, Op. 36. Paired with that is Elgar’s Enigma Variations which continues to capture music lovers attention with its haunting melodies and wistful musical descriptions of his friends for each of the 14 movements.

François López-Ferrer, conductor
Spanish-American conductor François López-Ferrer currently serves as Resident Conductor of the Académie of the Opéra de Paris. Former Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and May Festival, and a 2021-22’ Dudamel Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, López-Ferrer stepped in for Louis Langrée with the CSO in January of 2022 for the US premiere of Mark Simpson’s Violin Concerto with Nicola Benedetti to great critical acclaim.

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BRAHMS AND BEYOND! The Ohio Valley Symphony

240427 OVS Brahms PosterApril 27, 2024
at 7:30 p.m.
PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

West Virginia native and Cincinnati Symphony violinist Charles Morey will perform the Suite for Violin and Orchestra by African-American composer William Grant Still.  The OVS will play Brahms Symphony No. 2, Op. 73 under the direction of Maestro Scott E. Woodard.  What could be better!

Dr. Scott E. Woodard, conductor
Maestro Dr. Scott E. Woodard was born in Huntington, WV and is proud to be a life-long West Virginian. He is the Music Director of the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra in Hamilton, Ohio, the Founding Music Director of the West Virginia State Philharmonic Orchestra of Charleston, WV, the Principal Guest Conductor of the Rimini Chamber Orchestra in Rimini, Italy, and the former Cover Conductor of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. His primary teachers were Dr. Leonid Korchmar of the St. Petersburg State Conservatory of Music and the Mariinsky Theatre and Dr. Oleg Proskuryna. Scott is the recipient of First Prizes at the International Conductor’s Workshop Competition (Macon, GA) and the International Academy of Advanced Conducting (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation).

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A Video History of the Ariel Opera House

Watch the history of the Ariel Opera House unfold – from it’s opening on Christmas Day 1895 to the present.  Narrated by the founder and Executive Director Lora Lynn Snow.

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Ohio Arts Council Governor’s Awards for the Arts Winner

ARTS ADMINISTRATIONLora Lynn Snow
Lora Snow, Executive Director
at the Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre,
Home of the Ohio Valley Symphony
Gallipolis

Lora Lynn Snow is the founder and executive director of the Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre in Gallipolis, home of the Ohio Valley Symphony. Lora, an oboist, was inspired in 1987 to form a professional orchestra in Gallia County and recognized the amazing acoustics in the long-neglected 1895 Ariel Opera House that had been abandoned for 25 years. Lora spearheaded the restoration and set about to organize the community toward the grand reopening of the historic Ariel in 1990 with a performance of the Ohio Valley Symphony. Mrs. Ann Carson Dater gifted the Ariel as a permanent home to the Ohio Valley Symphony (OVS) in 2005, which added an additional theatre, conference room, and banquet rooms. The OVS, now in its 30th season as the only professional orchestra in the Ohio River Valley, recently premiered Songs of Rural America on PBS nationwide with folk singer Michael Johnathon.

Ohio Arts Council LogoHaving a holistic view of the arts, Lora also established a music education program, a double reed festival, a community theatre troupe, and OVS woodwind and dance programs at the Ariel. An active recitalist, clinician, and consultant with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music performance and education from the Ohio State University, Lora has taught at several universities and public schools covering kindergarten through graduate level inclusive. She is principal oboist for the Ohio Valley Symphony and OVS Woodwind Quintet, a member of the West Virginia Symphony, and a freelance musician.

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Ariel Academy Online Music Lessons

Ariel Academy LogoThe Ariel Academy is designed to help you find a teacher to guide you through your musical journeys. Whether you need to find a piano teacher for your first grader or are a professional taking orchestral auditions, a college student needing help with music theory or an aspiring composer needing guidance, you can set up one or more lessons with one of The Ohio Valley Symphony’s musicians.

Now is your opportunity to study music digitally right from the comfort of your own home with professional musicians who have a solid background of education and experience. Peruse the choices, contact one or more and then set up a time convenient for you both. Make this time at home count.

Start your music teacher search!

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Simple Gifts – The Ohio Valley Symphony

“Stars & Stripes” Conductor Tim Berens

Songs of Rural America! Oct. 6, 2018