The Philharmonic Society of Belleville is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting arts in our community. Founded in 1866, the Philharmonic has been an integral part of providing musical experience for musicians and music lovers and is the second oldest orchestra in the country. The Philharmonic Society of Belleville was established in 1866, by a group of predominately German immigrants. Early board minutes were written in German. The first concert of the Orchestra was held on January 26th, 1867. Early concert programs were printed in both German and English. The first concert was performed at the City Park Auditorium at the corner of Richland and 1st North. The Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra is now under the leadership of Conductor and Musical Director Dr. Robert Hart Baker. The Chorale was officially formed under the Belleville Philharmonic in 1966. The first conductor was Charles Laughlin. Dr. Robert Hart Baker is the current conductor. Musicians can audition for either the chorale or the orchestra by contacting the Philharmonic. The Junior Philharmonic was established in 1962 by conductor George N. Tuerck, concertmaster of the Senior Orchestra. The Junior Philharmonic was later renamed its current name of the Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and is open by audition to youth with two to three years of musical experience. The Youth Orchestra is under conductor, Dr. Leon Burke III. New in the Fall of 2017 is the addition of a beginning strings Junior Orchestra. This program is headed up by Angelina McLaughlin-Heil.
