Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra

Mission:

We are a non-profit community musical society that encourages self-expression through musical performance. We believe that music is an essential part of any thriving community. Music lifts the spirit and raises the collective consciousness. We collaborate with musicians and artistic organizations in an effort to facilitate mutual support, recognition, and the exchanging of ideas. We work to encourage a thriving community of musicians and appreciation of music within Belleville. Of course we perform, but we also facilitate lessons, workshops and special events in an effort to enrich the lives of all citizens of Belleville, Illinois.

About Us:

The Belleville Philharmonic Society was founded on November 19th, 1866. The Philharmonic presented its first concert on January 26, 1867. The Society's first conductor was Theodore Decker, who began the annual schedule of concerts that is unbroken to this day--making the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra the nation's second oldest symphony orchestra in continuous operation. The orchestra was comprised of talented volunteer musicians who made distinguished contributions to the community in a wide range of vocations, and the same can be said of the Society's various ensembles today. 

In 1962, the Society added a youth orchestra directed by George Tuerck and in 1966 the Society added the Philharmonic Chorale directed by Charles Laughlin. 

Historic Philharmonic Hall has been owned by the Society since 1899 and is used for both rehearsals and some performances and recitals. 

In 1995, Robert Charles Howard, Associate Professor of Music at Saint Louis Community College at Meramec, stepped onto the Society podium to become the 22nd Conductor of the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale. 

Dr Leon Burke III conducts the Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.