Founded in 1937, by Mr. Bill Rothert of Madison, IN, the Ohio Valley Choral
Festival is the oldest festival of its kind in Indiana. According to historical
archives, Mr. Rothert described the festival “as a way to promote friendly
cooperation in the advancement of music among southeastern Indiana
schools”. Deeply rooted in this region, the founding committee members also
included Ellen Beebee of Lawrenceburg, Paul Rigsby of Rising Sun, Martha
Banister of Vevay, Clare B. Ulen of Scottsburg, Frances Cory of Jeffersonville,
and Bertram C. Heckel of New Albany.