The Ambassadors of Harmony

A few years back, I became acquainted with an inspiring group of male singers who call themselves, “The Ambassadors of Harmony.” My Aunt Catherine lives at an apartment complex for people in the age range of “55-plus,” and most of the ambassadors live there too. But if I were a betting woman (which I’ve been known to be) I’d wager that most of these gents are considerably older than 55 (like 20-40 years older). They perform in the community room a couple of times per year, and when they put on a show, I love to be present. Today was one of those days…

 

The group is comprised of about three dozen men who sing four-part barbershop harmonies every chance they get. They commit to practice on weekdays, and look forward to booking gigs out in the community. Sharply dressed in matching suit coats, shirts, pants and ties, they take turns with the tasks of directing, announcing, and joke-telling. Some of the men need to sit in their seats (most of the time), and some prefer to stand (most of the time).

 

The members of this impressive group of songsters have experienced most of what life can throw their way – the goods, the bads and the in-betweens. Some are happily married. Some enjoyed long-lasting and loving marriages, and now find themselves widowers. Some have “bach-ed” it through life, and a few have found divorce along their paths. Most have proudly served in a branch of our country's military, and fought for our/our country’s freedoms.

 

A four-part harmony quartet - they laugh when they call themselves "The B Flats" ;) 

But the one solid thing that these “boys” have in common is that they LOVE to sing – and they LOVE to sing it ALL! In four-part harmony, they perform some oldies but goodies: My Wild Irish Rose, Mem-o-ries, This Little Light of Mine (Do Lord…) and Let’s Bust a Chord. I was blessed to see them today, and since it’s so close to the holidays, they sang some of their Christmas fare: Silent Night, O Holy Night (complete with a tenor solo), Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and a rousing chorus of Jingle Bells. For me, personally, what touches my heart the most is when they move into their patriotic portion of the show. These gentlemen have such a strong love of God and country, that it feels contagious: God Bless America and The Battle Hymn. I was also moved to hear that during the Milwaukee Brewers’ 2014 season, “The Ambassadors of Harmony” were privileged to sing The National Anthem before a Brewers home game. They opened their set today with The Star Spangled Banner, and even those who could not physically stand for anything else, were helped to their feet, and proudly stood with their brothers, each with their hand over their heart.

 

All of the men standing, singing the Star Spangled Banner

 

There’s just something about this group of guys that inspires me. They were once young men, fought in wars, weathered all of life’s many storms. They married, had children, and now grand (and great grand) children. They worked hard at jobs and are now retired. They know where they’ve been, and they seem to know who they are. They love their God and they love their United States… to them, it’s that simple.

No matter their advancing age, they do not quit, saying they have nothing left to offer. No! They love to sing – a fact that is most obvious to all who hear them, and doesn’t appear to ever change.

Thank you all for sharing that gift with us, year after year. I feel blessed to know of you...


Katie Kolberg Memmel is the author of “Five Fingers, Ten Toes – A Mother’s Story of Raising a Child Born with a Limb Difference.” For more information, go to her website: www.katiekolbergmemmel.com