Ambassadors of Harmony performed at UMSL on Dec. 8-Dec. 10. Over 800 people attended. They sang a total of 17 songs which included “Christmas Time is Here,” “Jingle Bells,” “Twelve Days of Christmas,” and many more holiday classics. During the first scene it was pirate themed. They were on a giant ship and everyone was dressed as pirates. Their goal was to steal presents every year. The first scene was filled with more dancing. During the second half it was more of a classical chorus setting. Members were dressed in black pants, black vests, white shirts, white jackets and red ties. The backdrop was a star that looked like a cross. There were actors that dressed up as shepherds to symbolize the Three Kings. This scene was mainly just standing and singing.

“We do this African Christmas song with drums and dancing,” Adam Busby, a member of AOH said. “People often complain if we take it out.” Adam Busby, a member of AOH said.

Ambassadors of Harmony have been around since 1963. They were originally known as the Daniel Boone Chorus, but the named changed around 1990. They won International Championship gold medals in 2004, 2009, 2012 and 2016. They are  four time International Chorus Champions of the Barbershop Harmony Society. A major accomplishment was when they beat Vocal Majority, an undefeated group of 30 years. This took place in 2009 in Anaheim, CA at the International Barbershop Competition.

“Everyone was crying,” Busby said. “We worked really hard to get there and our hard work paid off.”

AOH’s main goal is to reach out to the youth. They go out to high schools and recruit youth that would be interested in singing barbershop. This is known as Project Harmony.

They participate in Acafest which is a gathering of local high school and college acappella groups to form stronger relationships with the youth acappella community. Some of the ways they raise money is at galas where they sing at big dinners and silent auctions. All of their money goes straight towards the project.

“We are convinced that music can change the world for the better,” Busby said.

One of their upcoming events is the Ambassadors Gala that takes place on Feb. 17 starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 10 p.m. This is an elegant event filled with special guests and silent auctions. About a month after that they have a St. Louis Cathedral Concert Series on March 24 starting at 8 p.m. and ending at 10:30 p.m. During this concert they will be performing their versions of acapella and barbershop music.

“I try my best to attend all their concert, so I cannot wait to see what the March concert has in store,” fan Megan Melton said.