Sounds of Harmony Barbershop Chorus

About the Sounds of Harmony

In 1946, our journey commenced with a group of 20 Moose Lodge glee club members, six of whom were already enthusiasts of barbershop singing. By August 1948, we formalized into a barbershop chorus and received our official charter as the Belleville Bell Notes from Belleville, Illinois, through the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), now known as the Barbershop Harmony Society. The inaugural performance of our 35-member group took place on May 21, 1950, marking the beginning of a rich history of community engagement.

In 2004, we embraced a new identity as the Southwestern Illinois Sounds of Harmony Barbershop Chorus, reflecting the geographical region we proudly represent. While still chartered in Belleville, Illinois, our rehearsals now take place in downtown Belleville, drawing members from across the St. Louis Metro East area, with some traveling up to 80 miles to join us. While rooted in the tradition of four-part barbershop harmony, our repertoire has expanded to include a diverse range of contemporary songs. Presently, our chorus comprises 34 members, with around 24 individuals forming our singing chorus.

Throughout the years, our chorus and quartets have graced various events, including benefits, chambers of commerce gatherings, churches, hospitals, nursing homes, shopping malls, teachers’ associations, and numerous community functions. We actively participate in street fairs and parades across Southwestern Illinois, supporting various charitable causes in our region.

Notable Quartets representing the Chorus Present and Past

Tenor (Right) – Ryan Latinette
Lead (Mid Right) – Doug Brooks
Bass (Mid Left) – Paul Schulte
Bari (Left) – Steve Martin

Tenor (Right) – AL Kreher
Lead (Mid Right) – Mike Dohogne
Bass (Mid Left) – Dave Fellwock
Baritone (Left) – Bill Westbrook