Written by Dan Monahan

Our chapter, officially known as St. Louis #1, was established on October 8, 1938. Of the over 700 chapters in the Barbershop Harmony Society today, we proudly stand as the third oldest, following Tulsa and Kansas City.

The first meeting of the St. Louis #1 Chapter took place in a downtown hotel. Early meetings relied on booklets containing only the lyrics of old songs—there were no written quartet harmony arrangements, not even a melody line. Singers engaged in "wood shedding," creating their own harmonies. Members formed "pick-up" quartets, improvising harmony for various songs.

By the end of 1939, experienced musicians like Dr. Norman Rathert became involved in the chapter, developing standard arrangements that he and fellow member Joe Wodicka taught by ear. Printed arrangements wouldn't be available for many years. 

In our early days, groups of old songs were collected into medleys. While the entire chorus of 35 singers could perform these in St. Louis, they were often presented by a key group of twelve singers at special events.

By the 1950s, the chorus had become a significant performing group within the chapter. An annual show, known as the "Parade of Harmony," was held each year in major theaters like the Kiel Opera House, filling the 2,000 seats.

At this time, the chorus performed musical arrangements provided by the Barbershop Harmony Society, with highlights featuring as many as a dozen quartets from across the country! The "Parades" continued at Kiel Opera House until it closed in the 1980s.

With rising costs for hiring and traveling quartets, later shows featured only one guest quartet, a practice that has continued in our modern shows.

Three quartets have been central to our chapter's history. In the 1950s and 1960s, the "Hardway Four," composed of talented World War II veterans, excelled in turn-of-the-century and Big Band songs.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the "Tri-Towners," hailing from Jefferson County, broadened our membership to include singers from throughout the southern metropolitan area. In the 1990s and 2000s, the Rivertown Sound brought Doo Wop specialty songs to non-barbershop audiences.

Together, these quartets have performed barbershop music at hundreds, if not thousands, of events over the years. Even as their professional engagements increased, these members remained loyal to the chorus, serving as officers and directors.

In the early 1990s, membership declined as the Spirit of St. Louis Chorus continued to meet in the St. Louis area. With competition from five other barbershop choruses nearby, the chapter leadership made the difficult decision to relocate to an area with potential for new members.

This decision paid off well. At Jefferson Community College in Hillsboro, the St. Louis #1 Chapter has thrived for over many years. About thirty members attend rehearsals every Tuesday in the acoustically excellent chorus room. The college has been gracious to us, allowing us to participate in college events to promote their important programs. Students and new singers frequently join us. We share facilities with the college choruses and bands.

For many years, our chorus has met weekly, successfully carrying out the Society's original mission to preserve harmony and have fun!