Make plans now to attend the season "Finale" featuring cellist Soo Bae, May 3, 2008!

The Ohio Valley Symphony

OHIO VALLEY SYMPHONY FEATURED ON www.hometownstation.net

The Ohio Valley Symphony, the only professional orchestra in Southeast Ohio, is the resident ensemble of the 1895 Ariel Dater Hall. In 2005, benefactor Ann Carson Dater purchased and donated the building to provide a permanent home for the symphony, the youth orchestra and the performing arts. Designed around the Ariel Theatre's magnificent acoustics, the OVS, under the direction of Maestro Ray Fowler, performs a wide variety of music selected to satisfy every musical appetite.

OVS musicians hail from six states and play with a number of other prestigious orchestras such as the Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, West Virginia, Roanoke, Toledo and Pro Musica Symphonies. Some of the musicians are freelancers who play in more than one ensemble; many also teach at various institutions such as Ohio University, Marshall University, Ohio State University, Cincinnati Conservatory, West Virginia University,Shenandoah Conservatory and Capitol University. World class soloists, such as pianist Cecile Licad, baritone Reginald Pindell, pianists Richard Syracuse and Brian Ganz, jazz artists Chris Vadala (of the Chuck Mangione band), Roger Hines (Music Director for Ray Charles and Diane Schurr) and most recently, Broadway star Mark McVey, join the OVS in making its music.

Several OVS members live close enough to commute, while others come and stay for the two- or three-day period that takes the orchestra from the first rehearsal to the concert. Local residents provide housing for one or two musicians which gives them the opportunity to become acquainted and often results in a lasting friendship. The OVS has the unusual policy of "open" rehearsals which means that anyone can walk in during a rehearsal and listen to the music-making as it unfolds...the only requirement is that visitors remain quiet during their visit. On concert weekend, full rehearsals are Friday from 7-10 p.m. and Saturday from 1-4 p.m. Open rehearsals benefit those whose schedules or circumstances preclude their attending the 8 p.m. Saturday concerts. Saturday afternoon rehearsals are an ideal opportunity for parents to bring children who may be too young to sit through an entire concert but who can benefit from hearing live, professional music. The OVS offers a five-concert subscription series with one or two concerts in the fall and two or three in the spring sandwiched around a Holiday Concert which is usually the first weekend in December.

Click here to contact OVS Manager Lora Lynn Snow