International Champion Chorus


St Charles, Missouri, chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society

Fact Sheet

For further information contact:
Hal Maples  (636) 947-0334 

Repertoire

Light Classical, Traditional Jazz, Folk, Religious

Presentation Style

A cappella

International Activity & Honors

2009 BHS International Champion Gold Medalists
International Medalists 13 times since 1994 

2007-2008 International Silver Medal Chorus

2004 BHS International First Place Gold Medal Chorus

Central States District Champions
14 consecutive times

St. Louis Area Activity

Municipal Opera performances:
Oklahoma
White Christmas
South Pacific
Have supplied quartets for "Music Man" and other productions

Other Performances:
Annual Holiday Show
Annual Show in June
Crescendo Concert Series
Alton Illinois Concert Series
Columbia Chordbusters Christmas Show
Land of Lincoln Chorus Show
St. Louis Mayor's Prayer Breakfast
Half Time Show at St. Louis Rams game
National anthem at Cardinal Baseball games

CD and cassette tapes available

Leadership

Director -- Jim Henry

Ph.D., Music Theory and Composition, Washington University; Vocal Music Education, Southeastern
Missouri State University
Director of Choral Studies, University of Missouri, St. Louis
Choral Director, Ambassadors of Harmony, 1990 - 1999, 2001-present

Associate Director -- David Wright

Ph.D., Mathematics; Professor of Mathematics, Washington University
Noted arranger, composer, certified SPEBSQSA music judge
Director, Ambassadors of Harmony, 1980 - 1990, 1999 - 2001
Associate Director, Ambassadors of Harmony, 1990 - 1999, 2001-present

Membership

250 Members, 157 in Performing Chorus
Membership by audition
Performing Chorus participation by tape qualification
Additional vocal training required and provided
Hobby for all members who represent a broad spectrum of occupations ranging through a variety of professional and trade pursuits to students at the Middle School, High School and University levels.

Active Membership

Missouri: St. Louis City and County, St. Charles City and County, Jefferson County, Franklin Country, Jefferson City, Marthasville

Illinois: Springfield, Decatur, Mascoutah, Collinsville, Alton, Belleville, Godfrey, Chicago

Iowa: Iowa City, Panora, Waterloo

History

Formed in 1963 by 26 men at St. Charles, Missouri
Affiliated with the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA) in 1964
Original Name: "The Daniel Boone Chorus"
First qualified in 1988 to compete internationally in 1989
Grew to approximately 80 men in 1990
Changed name to "Ambassadors of Harmony" in 1990
Won International Medals (top five) twelve times