APPALACHIAN SPRING

POSTPONED
Date to be determined
at 7:30 p.m.

What’s better than one horn soloist? How about 4 of them! The entire horn section of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erik Ralske, Hugo Valverde, Javier Gandara and Barbara Jöstlein Currie, is coming to the Ariel stage to perform the magnificent Schumann Konzertstück for 4 Horns on April 25th. I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say you will be blown away! The OVS will also play one of my personal favorites, Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring.

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THE ROMANTIC CELLO

Rescheduled from an earlier date
June 27, 2020
at 7:30 p.m.

All tickets for the March 21, 2020 concert will be honored.

Ilya Finkelshteyn, principal cellist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, will perform Dvorak’s lush Concerto for Cello on June 27th with Maestro Keitaro Harada on the podium. Also, to stir your soul on the Romantic Cello program, is Brahms’ much loved Symphony No. 2. Love is definitely in the air!

Conductor Keitaro Harada

Conductor Keitaro Harada continues to be recognized at the highest levels for his artistic abilities and passion for musical excellence. As a three-time recipient of The Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award (2014, 2015, 2016), Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview (2013), the Seiji Ozawa Conducting Fellowship at Tanglewood Music Festival, a student of Lorin Maazel at Castleton Festival and Fabio Luisi at Pacific Music Festival, Harada’s credentials are exemplary.

In his third season as Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops, Harada regularly assists Music Director Louis Langrée and conducts the CSO, POPS, and World Piano Competition, and assists James Conlon and Juanjo Mena for the May Festival. Keitaro also holds the position of Associate Conductor of the Arizona Opera.

Postponed – RVHS Drama Club’s ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

Postponed – New Date To Be Determined
at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets previously purchased for this event will be honored on the new date.

Purchase your tickets online. Purchase Tickets Now

The River Valley High School Drama Department is incredibly excited to present Arsenic and Old Lace, the classic comedy featuring two sweet, old sisters who happen to spike the wine they serve with poison. With nearly 30 students involved in this production, this show is truly a group effort that incorporates the various high school disciplines and support from the community. Filled with slapstick comedy, murder, and even love, this is a show that you won’t want to miss. Drink up!

Doors open at 7pm each night, where tickets will also be available for purchase.

A SALUTE TO OUR VETERANS

November 9, 2019
at 7:30 p.m.

Last year’s Songs of Rural America pops concert, seen nationwide on television, let us know that you wanted pops added to our mix. Maestro Tim Berens and Broadway tenor Mike Eldred (Jean Val Jean in Les Miserables) have a terrific Salute to Our Veterans concert on November 9th just in time for Veterans Day!

The concert will feature 4 world premieres of music by Tim and Louise Berens. These premieres include new arrangements of the classics When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Danny Boy, and a brand new composition entitled Messages from Mount Rushmore by Tim and Louise Berens.

Messages from Mount Rushmore was inspired by a 2008 visit to Mount Rushmore, when Tim wondered “What would they have to say to us today?” The piece contains wise, stirring, funny and inspirational quotes from George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt, accompanied by rousing music. Their messages offer guidance to navigating our modern, hectic world.

Tim Berens, conductor

Tim Berens’ multi-faceted career gives testament to his lifelong quest to learn, perform and write music. So far, his venture has led him through the worlds of classical guitar, jazz guitar, orchestral guitar, arranging, orchestration, composition, and conducting.

During his years as the guitarist for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Tim played guitar, banjo, mandolin and bouzouki on concerts, recordings, television programs, and tours. Beginning in the late 1990’s, Tim began arranging for the CPO, eventually becoming the orchestra’s principal arranger.

His arrangements are regularly performed in venues from Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center to the Hollywood Bowl.

SUNDAY SOUNDS with Jonathan Hawkins

Sunday Sounds
“Musical and Folk Traditions Through the Ages”

Sunday, December 1, 2019
2:00 p.m.
Ariel Chamber Theatre

The historic Ariel Opera House presents Sunday Sounds with guitarist Jonathan Hawkins performing a unique blend of musical traditions of the Americas, Spain, Brazil, Malawi, and more. Join us for this free Sunday afternoon concert to be held in the 3rd floor Ariel Chamber Theatre. ADA accessible.

Jonathan Hawkins is a guitarist, singer-songwriter, composer/arranger, and producer.  He has toured internationally as a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist with Broadway productions, as a soloist under the stage name Little Lawnmowers, and as a member of bands ranging from Electronic/EDM to traditional/old-time and jazz.  Outside of performing, Jonathan stays busy arranging and composing for commission, theatrical productions, and studio albums.

If you are interested in keeping up with Jonathan, visit www.hawkinssounds.com, or check out his touring folk/roots/world music act, Little Lawnmowers (www.LittleLawnmowers.com)

Admission is free ~ donations accepted at the door.

THE CHRISTMAS SHOW! 2019

December 7, 2019
at 7:30 p.m.

Last year’s sold out Christmas Show! concert under the baton of Maestro Steven Huang made it clear that this is one of your favorites. Get your tickets early to this December 7th concert and make sure you don’t miss out! And if you have ever had a secret desire to lift the baton and bring out beautiful music, you too could be a Maestro For A Moment at this annual symphony fundraiser. Contact us to be a part of this fun and wonderful event.

Conductor Steven Huang

Maestro Steven Huang has conducted orchestras and operas across the country and throughout the world. At the age of twenty-one, he served as Music Director of the Bach Society Orchestra of Harvard University, where he received his undergraduate degree. While at Harvard, Mr. Huang also directed the Lowell House Opera (the oldest continuously running opera company in New England), in a critically acclaimed production of Kurt Weill’s The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny.

Mr. Huang has worked with musicians around the world, including California, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts, Ohio, Haiti, and Romania. He has held the position of Music Director of the University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra, the Central Illinois Youth Symphony, the Gilbert and Sullivan Players of Chicago, and the Bradley University Orchestra. In America, he has guest conducted professional ensembles such as the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Lake Shore Symphony (IL), and the Four Seasons Symphony (CA).

Ariel’s Merry Tubachristmas! (2019)

Join the fun at the ARIEL’S MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS!
December 14, 2019
at 2 pm
FREE CONCERT!

MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS is celebrating its 46th Anniversary (1974-2019). Created by Harvey Phillips, MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS 2019 will be presented in over 250 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.

-OR-

Join in the Fun and PLAY ALONG!

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 there are lots of souvenirs and books available! Register at the door, or save time and Pre-Register here!

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

A DELIGHTFUL DIVA’S CHRISTMAS starring Geena Jeffries Mattox

Saturday
December 21, 2019
at 7:30 p.m.

Come on, Ring those bells and step into the holiday spirit with a Delightful Diva’s Christmas.  Take a sleigh ride down 42nd Street with some familiar show tunes, then pop into the Metropolitan Opera for a taste of Diva and finish up with several of your favorite Christmas delights.  No better way to sprinkle the season with true meaning and joyful glee.

Ms. Jeffries-Mattox recently relocated to the tri-state area after more than two decades of performing throughout the United States and Europe.  Credits include, featured Soprano Soloist – Carnegie Hall – Conducted by John Rutter; Featured Soprano Soloist – Colorado Symphony Orchestra; leading roles with Tulsa Opera, Opera Colorado, Chicago Light Opera; Featured Soprano soloist for ESPN’s ESPY Awards at Radio City Music Hall; Winner of Bel Canto Competition, San Francisco Opera Competition and Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Semi-Finalist.  Ms. Mattox made her Broadway Debut at the Majestic Theater as Carlotta in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, The Phantom of the Opera.  She later originated the role of Carlotta in Las Vegas Phantom of the Opera, A Las Vegas Spectacular.  She is pleased to be sharing the stage with the magnificent piano virtuosity of Mark Parsons-Justice, the gorgeous tone and commanding styling of guitarist Jonathan Hawkins along with the beautiful clarity and innocence of vocalist, Emily Mattox.

Masterclass with Lindsey Goodman

THE FABULOUS FLUTE

October 26, 2019
at 7:30 p.m.

You asked for him and he’s back! Maestro Keitaro Harada returns to the podium twice this season on October 26th and March 21st. The Fabulous Flute with soloist Lindsey Goodman, OVS’s own piccolo and flutist, who performs an Ohio premiere of Nancy Galbraith’s Concert for Flute. Independent Streams for percussion and strings is another Ohio premiere – written by the OVS’s principal percussionist Roger Braun (a fitting piece as Lindsey’s husband is also a percussionist). Mozart’s Symphony No. 35 and de Fall’s much loved Three Cornered Hat round out the program.

Conductor Keitaro Harada

Conductor Keitaro Harada continues to be recognized at the highest levels for his artistic abilities and passion for musical excellence. As a three-time recipient of The Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award (2014, 2015, 2016), Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview (2013), the Seiji Ozawa Conducting Fellowship at Tanglewood Music Festival, a student of Lorin Maazel at Castleton Festival and Fabio Luisi at Pacific Music Festival, Harada’s credentials are exemplary.

In his third season as Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops, Harada regularly assists Music Director Louis Langrée and conducts the CSO, POPS, and World Piano Competition, and assists James Conlon and Juanjo Mena for the May Festival. Keitaro also holds the position of Associate Conductor of the Arizona Opera.

Jewell Victoria Evans Memorial Donation

Jewell Evans was half of the Bob Evans business dynasty, creating recipes and providing her expertise in developing the restaurant chain that grew to include restaurants all up and down the east coast – all while raising a family of six children.  It all started with Jewell’s recipe for Springfield Farm Sausage, as it was called for the first year and a half of their business.

Jewell loved music and she and Bob were part of the original Ariel Board of Directors formed in the late 1980s.  Jewell and Bob lent their name and support to the fledgling organization that was created to become the home for The Ohio Valley Symphony, a new professional orchestra in Southeastern Ohio.  Jewell rarely missed an Ohio Valley Symphony concert and loved talking about the performance at length afterwards.  She recognized that music can elevate one’s soul in a way nothing else can, and her perennially upbeat mood and positive thinking mirrored what we work towards at the Ariel Opera House.  One could never leave Jewell’s presence without being uplifted.  She was the personification of her name and we will always treasure her time with us.  We will miss her, but recognize how blessed we are to have had the chance to know her.

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

Visit the McCoy-Moore Funeral Homes, Inc. website for obituary.
Visit The Gallipolis Daily Tribune for an article celebrating the life of Jewell Evans.

OVS Songs of Rural America on WVPBS!

Songs of Rural America
Television Broadcast on WV-PBS
SATURDAY JULY 6

Mark your calendars now! July 6th at 6:00 pm ET The Ohio Valley Symphony with Michael Johnathon  will be broadcast on WVPBS Channel 33.  Songs of Rural America was recorded live at the historic Ariel Opera House in Gallipolis, Ohio.

WVPBS can be found by tuning to DishNet and Directv channel 33 or over-the-air channel 33.1.

(Please note that the screening event has been cancelled at the Colony Club due to its closing.)

Orva Walker Heissenbuttel Memorial Service

Saturday
May 18, 2019
at 2 pm

Join the historic Ariel Opera House for a memorial service for long-time friend and benefactor Orva Walker Heissenbuttel.

Ariel’s Piano, Voice, & String Spring Recital

Sunday, May 19, 2019
2:00 p.m.
Ariel Chamber Theatre

The historic Ariel Opera House presents a recital featuring Piano and Voice students of Judith Cavendish and String students of Elaine Swinney. Join us for this free Sunday afternoon concert to be held in the 3rd floor Ariel Chamber Theatre.

For more information about Piano and Voice lessons offered at the Ariel, please visit this link.

For more information about Violin and Viola lessons offered at the Ariel, please visit this link.

Admission is free ~ donations accepted at the door.

OPERA GALA-POLIS!

September 14, 2019
at 7:30 p.m.

The Ariel Opera House lives up to its name at the season opener on September 14th when Opera Gala-polis kicks off the season with acclaimed mezzo-soprano Katherine Rohrer under the able direction of Maestro Steven Huang. Katherine’s Carmen sizzles!

Conductor Steven Huang

Maestro Steven Huang has conducted orchestras and operas across the country and throughout the world. At the age of twenty-one, he served as Music Director of the Bach Society Orchestra of Harvard University, where he received his undergraduate degree. While at Harvard, Mr. Huang also directed the Lowell House Opera (the oldest continuously running opera company in New England), in a critically acclaimed production of Kurt Weill’s The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny.

Mr. Huang has worked with musicians around the world, including California, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts, Ohio, Haiti, and Romania. He has held the position of Music Director of the University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra, the Central Illinois Youth Symphony, the Gilbert and Sullivan Players of Chicago, and the Bradley University Orchestra. In America, he has guest conducted professional ensembles such as the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Lake Shore Symphony (IL), and the Four Seasons Symphony (CA).

SPRING STRINGS

April 27, 2019
at 7:30 p.m.

To cap off the season Peter Stafford Wilson will conduct the rousing April 27th Spring Strings concert. Soloist Tim Berens encouraged his friend, Grammy nominated American composer Frank Proto, to premiere his newly written double bass concerto in the acoustically superb Ariel Opera House. Frank was in agreement and decided to include Tim on guitar – giving you twice the pleasure at this April 27th concert! The first half of the concert will feature Frank’s music and the second half will feature Tim’s arrangements.

Conductor Peter Stafford Wilson

Now in his seventeenth season as Music Director of Ohio’s Springfield Symphony Orchestra, PETER STAFFORD WILSON is one of the most exciting and talked about conductors of his generation. Concurrently, he holds the post of Music Director of the Westerville Symphony. He also fulfills his seventh season as Principal Conductor of Tulsa Ballet, leading three productions, including the annual holiday performances of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, with choreography by Artistic Director Marcello Angelini.

Peter Stafford Wilson’s leadership of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra continues to elicit praise from the public, musicians and press. Its 2005 Agriculture and the Arts Growing Together brought international attention to the organization, as did the sequel, American Made: Celebrating Our Manufacturing Heritage, which premiered in November 2007. The orchestra’s innovative series, “Night Lights,” has enjoyed steadily increasing sales and attendance. The recent endowment of the Music Director chair with gifts totaling one million dollars is further testimony to the community’s expanding support. Mr. Wilson and the SSO are the recipients of a 2009-2010 ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming.

15th Annual Tri-County Gospel Sing

May 4, 2019 at 6 p.m.

Free Concert, No Ticket Required
Join the historic Ariel Opera House in welcoming the Tri-County Gospel Sing, presented by Pastor Rick Barcus of the Addison Free Will Baptist Church.

Featured guests include:

Kingdom Road * West Virginia Couriers
Forever Blessed * Singing Shafers
The Neal Family * Victory River
Mike Cadle * Karen Polcyn * Rick Towe
Scott Fraser * Vicki Moore * James Hess
And others!

The concert is free to the public. A love offering will be collected. Doors open at 5 pm and the concert starts at 6 pm.

TV Premiere! Songs of Rural America with OVS! At the Colony Club!

Television Debut on RFD-TV!
February 22 at 6pm ET
At the Colony Club!

Mark your calendars now! Feb. 22 at 6:00 pm ET The Ohio Valley Symphony with Michael Johnathon of Woodsongs will be on RFDTV in a premiere showing of Songs of Rural America recorded live at the historic Ariel Opera House in Gallipolis, Ohio.

Plan dinner and drinks out and enjoy this television premiere on the big screen at the Colony Club on Second Avenue, two doors down from the Ariel Opera House.

Or watch at home by tuning to Directv channel 345; DishNet Channel 231; Suddenlink Channel 370.

GAHS Band Concert

Thursday, March 7, 2019
7:00 p.m.

Join the historic Ariel Opera House in welcoming the Blue Devil Marching Band from Gallia Academy High School.

This is a FREE concert, doors open at 6:30p.m.

THE RED VIOLIN

March 30, 2019
at 7:30 p.m.

Elizabeth Pitcairn asked if she could come back to perform on our 30th Anniversary concert March 30th, and of course we said a resounding Yes! She will bring her legendary Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius and will be joined by Maestro Miriam Burns on the podium for a wonderful evening of beautiful music you won’t soon forget.

Conductor Miriam Burns

Miriam Burns was on staff with the New York Philharmonic as one of their Cover Conductors from 1999-2007, having been appointed by Kurt Masur as a result of a competitive audition by-invitation-only. In this capacity, she accompanied the orchestra on tour to the Far East as the tour Assistant Conductor to then new Music Director, Lorin Maazel, and for eight years was entrusted as an assistant conductor on call for countless specific, fully prepared programs under many guest conductors of international repute.