The Ambassadors of Harmony

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 2009, under the direction of Jim Henry, The Ambassadors of Harmony won the International Chorus Championship held in Anaheim California, achieving the highest score ever recorded. They had previously won the championship in 2004. In July of 2007, The Ambassadors of Harmony came very close to a gold medal 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 2008. the chorus again took the Silver Medal at the International competition in Nashville, Tennessee, missing a win by three tenths of a percentage point.

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) in 14 consecutive attempts, the most recent win occurring in October 2008.

The chorus has acquired four 4th Place, five 3rd Place Medals in International chorus competition, as well as the 2009/2004 Gold and 2007/2008 Silver Medals.

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.

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 - now the Barbershop Harmony Society) in April of 1964 (click for details). Current membership in the chapter is approximately 250 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 157 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 sang bass with The Gas House Gang (1993 International Quartet Champions). He now sings bass with CrossRoads, the 2009 International Champion Quartet. 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.