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Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre

2024 RIVER RECREATION PAGEANTS

2024 River Rec Pageants PosterThe Gallia County Chamber of Commence presents the Miss & Young Miss River Rec Pageant at the historic Ariel Opera House.

JUNE 1, 2024
PURCHASE TICKETS NOW!

FIRECRACKER PAGEANT
Pageant at 9:00am
, ticket prices $7-$10, doors open at 8:30pm

GALLIPOLIS RIVER REC QUEEN PAGEANT
Pageant at 6:00pm
, ticket prices $10-$18, doors open at 5:30pm

Join us in celebrating the accomplishments of Gallia County youth and purchase your tickets today!

Helping contestants to grow their self-confidence while preparing them for their future what the Chamber’s River Rec program is all about. Our Royalty will have the opportunity to represent Gallia County while visiting fairs and festivals; all while learning social and public speaking skills.

VIP seats are available for Rows A-F.
This is a Gallia Co. Chamber of Commerce production.

For more information visit the River Rec Pageants website.

Be sure to visit the local Gallipolis sponsors of this fantastic community event!
Baskets Delight • El Toril Mexican Restaurant

Only bottled water is permitted in the historic auditorium, no food or other beverages.
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BRAHMS AND BEYOND! The Ohio Valley Symphony

240427 OVS Brahms PosterApril 27, 2024
at 7:30 p.m.
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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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2024-25 SEASON SUBSCRIPTION! The Ohio Valley Symphony

2024-25 OVS Season PosterPURCHASE NOW!
Existing subscribers who wish to keep their current seats call the Box Office to order!

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better The Ohio Valley Symphony’s 35th Season will present five concerts with five scintillating soloists and five fascinating guest conductors – well, six if you count our annual “Maestro for a Moment” winner!

Coming to us straight from the Hollywood Bowl, François López-Ferrer returns to the podium for a Fabulously French program on September 7th featuring the Cincinnati Symphony’s principal clarinetist Christopher Pell. Chris is performing the seldom heard and absolutely delightful Clarinet Concerto by Jean Francaix and the orchestra presents Ravel’s Ma Mere L’Oye (Mother Goose Suite) along with other selections.Ohio Arts Council Logo

The Enchantress Carline Waugh joins conductor Peter Stafford-Wilson on October 12th for a marvelous evening of vocal music by George Gershwin, Victor Herbert and Gian Carlo Menotti. Carline’s enchanting voice will beguile you in this evening of song.

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FABULOUSLY FRENCH! The Ohio Valley Symphony

September 7, 2024 OVS Concert PosterSeptember 7, 2024
at 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!

Coming to us straight from the Hollywood Bowl, François López-Ferrer returns to the podium for a Fabulously French program featuring the Cincinnati Symphony’s principal clarinetist Christopher Pell. Ohio Valley Bank LogoChris is performing the seldom heard and absolutely delightful Clarinet Concerto by Jean Francaix and the orchestra presents Ravel’s Ma Mere L’Oye (Mother Goose Suite) along with other selections.

François López-Ferrer, conductor
Spanish-American conductor François López-Ferrer currently serves as Resident Conductor of the Académie of the Opéra de Paris. Ohio Arts Council LogoFormer 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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THE ENCHANTRESS, The Ohio Valley Symphony

October 23, 2024 OVS Concert PosterOctober 12, 2024
at 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!

The Enchantress Carline Waugh joins conductor Peter Stafford Wilson for a marvelous evening of vocal music by George Gershwin, Victor Herbert and Gian Carlo Menotti. Carline’s enchanting voice will beguile you in this evening of song.

Peter Stafford Wilson, conductor
Peter Stafford Wilson is Music Director of Ohio’s Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Concurrently, he holds the post of Music Director of the Westerville Symphony, and was named Principal Conductor of Tulsa Ballet in 2012. With the SSO he has brought international attention for Agriculture and the Arts Growing Together and American Made: Celebrating Our Manufacturing Heritage and a new multi-media, multi discipline production of Gustav Holst’s The Planets resulted in a sellout house. Mr. Wilson held the posts of Assistant and Associate Conductor of The Columbus Symphony Orchestra for 28 seasons. Mr. Wilson has had enormous community reaction and has been recognized as “Best Music Director” and “Best in the ‘Bus 2015” for his work in Columbus. He also served as Music Director of the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra, which he has regularly led in local and regional concerts.

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PREMIERE EVENT AT THE COLONY! American Rhapsody with The Ohio Valley Symphony

American Rhapsody poster featuring Tim Berens, Mandy Gaines, and Michael Chertock in front of Ariel stageFebruary 16, 2024
7:00 pm and 9:00 pm
At The Colony Theatre & Restaurant
Reservations recommended at 740-209-0110

Join us for the premiere of “American Rhapsody with The Ohio Valley Symphony” on Friday, February 16 at the Colony Theatre & Restaurant in downtown Gallipolis, Ohio. Guest artists from the show will be on hand to autograph copies of the CD and DVDs, which will be available for sale at the show. Dinner reservations are recommended but not required for the 7 pm and 9 pm showings.

The Ohio Valley Symphony concert was recorded in May 2023 and features music of the Roarin’ 1920’s in all new arrangements by Tim Berens, of Berens Pops Library. Tim’s arrangements are performed all over this country and abroad. He will be on hand to speak about the process of creating the show and to answer questions.

Vocalist Mandy Gaines shares her vocal prowess with songs such as ’S Wonderful, Bye Bye Blackbird and Someone to Watch Over Me and other tunes in her own delightful way. Pianist Michael Chertock offers up his scintillating version of the perennial favorite Rhapsody in Blue like never heard before. He can also be heard playing stride piano within the orchestra.

You won’t want to miss the opportunity to see this spectacular event on the big screen and enjoy fine food and festivities! Make your reservations today by calling The Colony at 740-209-0110 or through eventbrite.com.

Join the fun and dress in your favorite Roarin’ 20’s outfits! Drawings will be held for door prizes (must be present to win).

Watch the video below for a taste of what’s in store!


Watch “American Rhapsody with The Ohio Valley Symphony” featuring conductor and arranger Tim Berens, vocalist Mandy Gaines, and pianist Michael Chertok across the nation and in Canada on American Public Television!

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THE ENIGMATIC ELGAR! The Ohio Valley Symphony

240316 OVS Elgar PosterMarch 16, 2024
at 7:30 p.m.
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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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THE CHRISTMAS SHOW! The Ohio Valley Symphony 2023

231202 OVS Christmas PosterDecember 2, 2023
at 7:30 p.m.
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Maestro Steven Huang has planned another grand and memorable Christmas Show program the entire family will enjoy, featuring many songs of the season. Get your tickets early as we always sell out! Who will be the next Maestro for a Moment? Join the fun and become a candidate!

Steven Huang, conductor
Maestro Steven Huang is thrilled to return to Southeastern Ohio to the podium of The Ohio Valley Symphony, a Christmas tradition since 2018.

Mr. Huang has conducted orchestras and operas across the country and around the world. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Huang 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). Holzer logoRecently, he successfully concluded a sixteen-year appointment as Associate Professor and Director of Orchestras at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where he brought the program to new achievements, including earning competitive accolades and awards, through over 200 performances that included symphonic concerts, opera, musical theater, and Halloween pops.

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