Ambassadors of Harmony Capture Historic Sixth International Gold Medal in St. Louis!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ST. LOUIS, MO. (July 6, 2026) — The Ambassadors of Harmony (AOH), the internationally acclaimed St. Louis-based men's a cappella chorus, captured its historic sixth International Chorus Championship on Saturday at the Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention, held in front of a hometown crowd in St. Louis.

The chorus of more than 100 voices earned 2,307 out of a possible 2,400 points, securing the gold medal in one of the closest finishes in International Chorus Contest history. The Ambassadors edged out the renowned Music City Chorus of Nashville, Tennessee, by a single point during the championship held at The Dome at America's Center.

The victory represents a significant milestone for the organization as it marks the first international championship under the leadership of Jonny Moroni as sole Musical Director. Moroni, internationally recognized as the baritone of the world champion quartet Vocal Spectrum, previously served as co-director alongside legendary director Dr. Jim Henry.

"I'm just so incredibly proud of the dedication and heart this chorus put onto that stage," said Moroni following the announcement of the results. "To win our sixth gold medal right here at home in St. Louis—and in such a spectacularly close competition against a world-class chorus like Music City—is a moment we will never forget."

The Ambassadors' championship performance featured an electrifying arrangement of the Dixieland jazz classic "Muskrat Ramble" paired with a heartfelt rendition of the timeless ballad "Unchained Melody." Both selections were masterfully arranged by Associate Director David Wright, whose musical artistry helped shape the chorus's winning performance.

The Ambassadors of Harmony previously earned International Chorus Championships in 2004, 2009, 2012, 2016, and 2023. Under Barbershop Harmony Society competition rules, champions must sit out of international competition for two years before becoming eligible to compete again, making the 2026 title a triumphant return to the world stage.

Since first competing internationally in 1989, the Ambassadors have now placed among the top four choruses in the world 20 times, cementing their reputation as one of the most successful choruses in barbershop history. The International Chorus Contest is hosted annually by the Barbershop Harmony Society, an organization dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of four-part a cappella harmony through education, performance, and competition.

The Ambassadors of Harmony serve as the flagship ensemble of HarmonySTL, an organization committed to inspiring singers of all ages through musical excellence and education. HarmonySTL's family of ensembles also enjoyed an outstanding showing at this year's international competitions. The Recruits, the organization's youth chorus, placed 16th in the world, while Visions of Harmony, HarmonySTL's treble voice chorus, earned an impressive 11th-place world finish. HarmonySTL is also home to several award-winning barbershop quartets that perform and compete throughout the year.

"This championship is more than a victory for our chorus—it is a celebration of the incredible musical community that exists here in St. Louis," said Moroni. "We're honored to represent our city on the world stage and grateful to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey."

About the Ambassadors of Harmony

The Ambassadors of Harmony is an internationally acclaimed men's a cappella chorus based in St. Louis, Missouri. As the flagship performing ensemble of HarmonySTL, the chorus has earned six Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus Championships and is recognized worldwide for its innovative performances, musical excellence, and commitment to inspiring audiences through the power of harmony.

Media Contact

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