The Ironton Council for the Arts/Lawrence County Concert Series will celebrate 30 years of providing quality musical entertainment for Ironton and the Tri-State with its upcoming 2010-2011 season.

This year, as in previous years, musicians who perform locally, nationally, and internationally will once again be featured in six concerts from Oct. 11 to April 9.

This year’s season kicks off on Monday, Oct. 11 with the most internationally renowned chamber orchestra to ever perform in Ironton.

Chamber Orchestra Kremlin, an ensemble of young, talented musicians from Moscow, has earned national and international recognition as one of Russia’s leading ensembles.

Founded and led by Misha Rachlevsky in 1991 after the momentous dissolution of the Soviet Union, this ensemble comprising some of Russia’s finest young string players is highly acclaimed for its mesmerizing concerts and award-winning CD catalog of more than 30 CDs.

On Saturday, Nov. 20, David Coe and James Prendergast, fiddle and guitar duo from Nashville, will make a return visit to Ironton performing their unique blend of country, rock, Irish, and swing music.

Both men have played professionally for more than 30 years and regularly play for festivals and concerts around the country.

The worship-leading choir of the Russell, Ky. Baptist Church is returning by popular request on Saturday, Dec. 4. Directed by worship pastor Jim Wilcox for the past nine years, the group is recognized throughout the Tri-State for its musical excellence, and for its members’ individual contributions to contemporary Christian music.

Their performance will feature an eclectic mix of traditional hymns, southern and black gospel, and contemporary Christian songs.

A performance steeped in the musical traditions of Iraq and the Middle East will be featured on Saturday, Feb. 12 by the Salaam Band Trio. Chicago-born Iraqi-American Dena El Saffar founded the group in 1993. Dena has a degree in classical violin from Indiana University, and her husband, Tim Moore, is a percussionist. Both have studied music of the Middle East and Iraq and have performed throughout the United States.

Saturday, March 12 brings the Chattering Magpies to Ironton. This duo features Lorinda Jones on mountain dulcimer and folk harp, along with Greta Gillmeister on flute. They will perform American roots music reflecting Appalachian, Celtic, ragtime, and contemporary folk music traditions.

Montana Skies – Cello and Guitar Fusion will close the 2010-2011 concert season on Saturday, April 9. This husband-wife duo features the fusion of classical, folk, and rock music performed on cello, a six-string electric cello, a Spanish classical guitar, and a steel string guitar. Both are classically trained and their music has been heard nationwide on NPR radio stations as well as television, including the Travel Channel, Soundscapes, and more. They thrill audiences with their live shows and tour extensively across the United States, Canada, and Asia.

All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. on the campus of Ohio University Southern in Ironton. Season tickets may be purchased for all six shows or may be purchased at the door for individual shows.

For additional information contact Dr. Pat McCoy, ICA Communications Director, at 740-533-4541 or mccoy@ohio.edu.