Belleville Philharmonic Society

The Belleville Philharmonic Society is an Orchestra founded in 1866 in Belleville, Illinois by a group of interested citizens. It is the second oldest continuously operating orchestra in the United States. It consists of three ensembles - an Orchestra, a Chorale, and a Youth Orchestra. The current conductor for the orchestra and chorale is Robert Hart Baker.[1] Leon Burke III is the conductor for the Youth Orchestra.[2]

Goal

The Philharmonic Society of Belleville is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting arts in the greater Belleville community. The Philharmonic has been an integral part of providing musical experience for musicians and music lovers of all ages since its founding in 1866. The Belleville Philharmonic Society maintains a strong bond with the community and regularly performs for civic events such as Art on the Square and Belleville Sister Cities. It partners with numerous area organizations such as The Belleville Chamber of Commerce, Belleville Main Street as well as the City of Belleville itself.

Concerto Competitions

Stars of Tomorrow is an annual Concerto competition that is hosted by the Belleville Philharmonic Society for young musicians throughout the area. Youth through college age are eligible to participate in the contest. Winners of the competition play with the Philharmonic Orchestra at their October concert. Additionally, the Youth Orchestra hosts the Tuerck Memorial Concerto Competition. This competition is in honor of Youth Orchestra founder, George Tuerck. This contest is open to those up through juniors in high school. Winners of this receive a small scholarship and play with the Youth Orchestra at their winter concert. Both contests are traditionally held in the spring.

History

The Philharmonic Society of Belleville was first organized in 1866. The first concert was performed on January 26, 1867. The Philharmonic Society purchased the hall on North Jackson in 1897. The hall was previously used as a Kindergarten. Founding musicians and community members included Christopher Espenhain, merchant and cornet virtuoso; Martin Herr, an alderman; Henry Viehmann; Charles Magin, a noted band leader; Dr. Carl Neubert, physician and editor of the German newspaper Post und Zeitung; Theodore Decker, an accomplished pianist; and Martin Medart, a justice of the peace and clarinet player.[3] The first conductor was Theodore Decker. 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. Prior to the hiring of Robert Hart Baker, Robert Howard was the conductor for 21 years from 1995 to 2016.

Orchestra conductors through 1974 included the following: Theodore Decker 1866-69, Julius Liese 1869-1885, Gustave Neubert 1885-1910, Adolph Hansing 1910-1911, Fred A. Kern 1911-1914, Frederich Fischer 1914-1919, Carl Magin 1919-1921, Frank Macke 1921-1922, John W. Marsh 1923-1935, Charles Muckensturm 1935-1938, Don Foster 1938-1943, Rudolph Magin 1944-1953, George Tuerck 1954-1961,[4] Max Stendel 1961-1963, William Schatzkammer 1963-1969, Robert Schieber 1969-1971, Laurent Torno 1971-1974, Carmine Ficocelli 1974-1975, Robert J. Hachmeister 1974-1975[5]

References

  1. ↑ 1
  2. ↑ 2
  3. ↑ 3
  4. ↑ 4
  5. ↑ 5

External links

1. Maddox, Terri. (August 18, 2016). Berstein to Belleville - Meet the new Philharmonic Conductor. Belleville News Democrat. 2. Retrieved from Belleville Philharmonic Society Website, Bellevillephilharmonic.org 3. Mrs. Diffey, Frank. (1961). History of the Belleville Philharmonic Society. Pub. Belleville, IL. Friends of the Philharmonic. p. 5-6. 4. History of the Belleville Philharmonic Society. p. 4. 5. Blair, Virginia. (1975).The Singing Societies and Philharmonic Orchestra of Belleville

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