Eastern Kentucky Harmonic Order, River Magic Chorus to perform

Two local a capella choral ensembles, River Magic Chorus from Huntington, West Virginia, and the Eastern Kentucky Harmonic Order from Ashland, Kentucky, will perform a joint Christmas concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 in the Ohio University Southern Riffe Rotunda. 

The all-female River Magic Chorus is directed by Bev Miller and is a member of Sweet Adelines International (SAI). The chorus features tight, four-part harmony singing, has been singing for 45 years and is well-known in Huntington, West Virginia and surrounding areas in Kentucky and Ohio. 

They have sung at parties, parades, patriotic gatherings, holiday entertainments, assisted living celebrations, and are famous for their beloved Singing Valentines. They also regularly perform at various regional and national SAI conventions, most recently at the SAI International Convention in Kansas City this past October. They will also perform in Louisville for the Harmony Heartland Region 4 events this coming January, February and June.

The Sweet Adelines rehearse on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Renaissance Center-old Huntington High School, 900 8th St. All women interested in joining the chorus can call 304-544-9455.

The Eastern Kentucky Harmonic Order (EKHO) is the Ashland, Kentucky lodge of the Worldwide Barbershop Quartet Association (WBQA). 

Formerly known as “The Singing Kernels”, EKHO changed their name in 2021 and subsequently joined the Worldwide Barbershop Harmony Association as its seventh lodge. 

EKHO is an all-male a cappella chorus that celebrates the wonderful sound of four-part barbershop harmony. EKHO has performed for a variety of local organizations and agencies. Prior performances include Independence Day celebrations, Christmas parades, singing the national anthem at sporting events, Singing Valentines, private parties, weddings, funerals, nursing homes, and more. Admission is $15 and can be paid with cash or check payable to the “Ironton Council for the Arts” at the performance which is free for students of all ages and children. OUS is handicap-accessible.

The Ironton Council for the Arts thanks the Ohio Arts Council for awarding it the ArtSTART and Ohio Artists on Tour grants for the third consecutive subscription concert season. These awards help defray performance costs and allow the council to continue to offer the public high-quality, low-cost performances.