WELCOME BACK TO

St. Louis 

for the

THE SPAH 63^rd CONVENTION 2026

Celebrating 63 years of harmonicas, music and friends.
2026 SPAH Convention
August 11th-15th, 2026

 at the
SHERATON WESTPORT CHALET HOTEL
191 Westport Plaza, St Louis MO 63146

The Gateway Harmonica Club is honored to host the 2026 convention as SPAH celebrates its 63rd anniversary and the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary. Building upon SPAH’s over six decades of experience, another week of memorable performances, interesting seminars, and amazing open mic sessions is expected. The beautiful Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel, which was the location of the 2018 and 2023 SPAH conventions, will again be the site for reunions, making new friends, and having fun.

Members of the Gateway Harmonica Club, one of the largest and most active harmonica clubs in the US, are excited to host the annual SPAH convention for the tenth time. Our club began in 1987, started by a few guys who liked to play the harmonica and enjoyed each other’s company. With more than 100 members at its peak, the Gateway Harmonica Club has earned quite a reputation, performing the National Anthem at Busch Stadium on the opening day for the St. Louis Cardinals, appearing as guest artists with conductor Richard Hayman and the St. Louis Symphony Pops Orchestra, and entertaining as featured performers at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

The club’s success continues. After a post-pandemic slump, club membership is at 96 members once again. The all-harmonica band performs at a wide variety of venues in the St. Louis area, averaging more than 60 gigs per year. As a non-profit organization, performance fees are minimal, yet, since its inception, the club has donated more than $100,000 to local charities.

Currently, the club preserves and advances the playing of harmonica music in the Greater St. Louis area, by not only public performances, but also teaching harmonica classes throughout the year at four local community colleges and through the Oasis Institute. Also, during its 4-hour weekly meeting, the club offers a beginner’s class, a jam session, a blues group, a chromatic class, chord class, bass class, band rehearsal, monthly seminars, and weekly open mic.

For more information, check us out at www.gatewayharmonicaclub.org.

We’re thrilled to share our beautiful city with you. The St. Louis area has much to offer, if you can find a bit of time to spare during your visit.

Downtown St. Louis…Just 25 minutes away
Attractions include the Gateway Arch and Museum, iconic landmark; take a ride to the top; Basilica of Saint Louis, the oldest cathedral west of the Mississippi; and City Museum, fun for kids of all ages.

 Forest Park…Just 20 minutes away
Showcases the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Science Center and James S. McDonnell Planetarium, all with free admission. Several scenic walking paths of up to six miles.

 Midtown St. Louis…Just 20 minutes away
Highlights include the Missouri Botanical Garden; the Hill, a unique “little Italy” neighborhood; the World Chess Hall of Fame, and Anheuser Busch Brewery.

 Westport Plaza area…Adjacent to the hotel
Offers many fine restaurants and entertainment venues. Feel free to stop by at the Gateway Harmonica Club table for more information on local activities that may be of interest to you or just to chat with one of our friendly members

Questions about the Gateway Harmonica Club? Email us at info@gatewayharmonicaclub.org.