The Ambassadors of Harmony

About the Ambassadors of Harmony

The Ambassadors of Harmony is a world-class a cappella chorus of over one hundred men, headquartered in St. Charles, Missouri.

Vision and Mission Statement:

“The Ambassadors of Harmony will be recognized as the highest quality and most entertaining choral organization in the St. Louis metropolitan area and the Barbershop Harmony Society. Our mission is to educate our membership in order to continually improve in vocal quality, performance, and personal fulfillment” in a cappella singing. When we perform, our goal is to give a gift that will change the lives of the people in our audience.

The mission, stated above, has created an environment in which the chorus continues to strive for musical and performing excellence. The Ambassadors of Harmony chorus has an extensive a cappella repertoire, including contemporary, Broadway, gospel, folk, and light jazz music, and we maintain, as well, a continuing commitment to preserving and singing in the barbershop harmony style. Our music appeals to audiences of all ages.

In July of 2004, under the direction of Jim Henry, The Ambassadors of Harmony won the International Chorus Championship held in Louisville Kentucky, singing two arrangements by David Wright, and receiving a standing ovation for their Gold Medal performance.

For the eleven years through 2004, The Ambassadors of Harmony Chorus won First Place in the chorus competition for the 5-state Central States District of the Barbershop Harmony Society (SPEBSQSA, Inc). After a three-year hiatus from competition, necessitated by their winning the International Contest in 2004, they won the Central States District competition for a 12th consecutive time in October, 2006.

In July of 2007, The Ambassadors of Harmony achieved their highest competition scores ever in a first place tie with the Westminster Chorus at the Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus Competition in Denver Colorado. Per the Society's tie-breaking rules, they were awarded the second-place Silver Medal.

In the same eleven year period the chorus has acquired four 4th Place, five 3rd Place Medals in International chorus competition, as well as the 2004 Gold and 2007 Silver Medals.

The chorus will compete in October in the Central States District Chorus Competition in Kansas City, Missouri, in order to qualify to compete at next years BHS International Competition, to be held in July in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Ambassadors of Harmony provide the finest a cappella entertainment to St. Louis area patrons, and have performed to sellout audiences at their annual shows, and at many other performance events. (see Performances below)

Organization History: (See AOH Fact Sheet) (Learn About Our Founders)

The St. Charles Chapter was formed in 1963 by 26 men at St. Charles, Missouri, and affiliated with the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. (SPEBSQSA, Inc) in April of 1964 (click for details). Current membership in the chapter is approximately 238 men, ranging in age from 12 to 85. Members of The Ambassadors of Harmony come from throughout the Metropolitan St. Louis area as well as from outside the area. There are currently approximately 147 in the performing chorus.

Musical Leadership:

Our Musical Director, Dr. James Henry, is head of the choral studies department at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. He has a Ph.D. in Music Composition from Washington University, St. Louis, MO, and is a member of The Gas House Gang (1993 International Quartet Champions). For further details click here.

Our Associate Director, Dr. David Wright, is Professor of Mathematics at Washington University, and is one of the premiere song writers and arrangers of a cappella music. For further details, click here.

We will continue to strive for higher levels of excellence. If you sing well and want to participate in our mission - "to continually improve in vocal quality, performance, and personal fulfillment in a cappella singing" come and visit us. You might be someone who could join us in touching the lives of those for whom we perform in a very special way.

Whether you are considering the possibility of joining us, or just enjoy great music, you are welcome to visit our rehearsal on any Thursday evening at 7:00 P.M. at Memorial Hall, Blanchette Park, in St. Charles, Missouri. Click Here for directions.