Jim Henry (singer)

James Henry (born 1964), most commonly referred to as "Jim Henry", is a vocal music professor, barbershop bass singer, and co-director of the Ambassadors of Harmony (AOH). He is a multiple international award-winning quartet member, whose quartets have appeared nationally on the NBC, PBS, and Fox television networks. Henry is the current director of choral studies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and a contributing author of widely used musical reference works.[1][2]

This article is about the music professor and barbershop singer. For the American folk singer/songwriter, see Jim Henry (musician).
Jim Henry
Born (1964-05-16) May 16, 1964
GenresBarbershop, a cappella
Occupation(s)Singer, coach, professor
InstrumentsVoice
Associated actsAmbassadors of Harmony, Gas House Gang, Crossroads

Early life

Henry grew up in St. Charles, Missouri and currently lives in St. Peters. He was 11 years old when he wrote a letter to the Daniel Boone Chorus begging to join. Henry soon became its youngest member.[3][4] In 1981, notable arranger David Wright joined the chorus as director and set the chorus on a path to excellence. About that same time, Henry met a transformative choir teacher and chose to make vocal music his life's work.[5] He graduated in 1986 from Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, Missouri[6][7] and then completed his doctorate in music composition from Washington University[8] in St. Louis in 2000.

Career

Henry is currently the Director of Choral Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL),[9][10] where he conducts Vocal Point and the University Singers.[11][12] He teaches choral methods, choral arranging, and choral conducting. From 2013 to 2016, Henry was the chair of the music department at the university. He is the clinician for the Acappellooza Fall field trips and Acappellooza Summer music camps, both partnerships between UMSL and AOH.[13][14][15][16] He was previously head of the choral music department at Lindenwood University[17][18][19] for nine years, during which time the University Chorus quintupled in size under his leadership. He also formed Voices Only,[20] an a cappella ensemble that performed at the 2004 Missouri Music Educators Association conference, toured Germany, Holland and Sweden, and produced a recording.[21] While at Lindenwood, he also taught and mentored 2004 Collegiate BHS Champions Vocal Spectrum (who went on to be 2006 Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) International champions).[22][23]

Barbershop harmony
The Ambassadors of Harmony in Nashville performing their 2016 BHS Gold Medal-winning set

Henry is the musical and artistic co-director of the four-time BHS international champion chorus, the Ambassadors of Harmony, a 130-voice men's a cappella ensemble. He took over the reins of direction of the chorus from David Wright in 1990,[24][25] and since 2013 has co-directed with Jonny Moroni. He currently sings bass with and arranges for Crossroads, 2009 BHS International Quartet Champions. Crossroads has performed worldwide, has appeared in television and radio broadcasts, and has produced three albums. Henry was previously the bass of the Gas House Gang, 1993 International Quartet Champions. The Gas House Gang produced five albums, performed in all fifty states and fifteen countries.[12][26][27] Their television appearances and radio broadcasts include NBC's Today Show, NPR's Present at the Creation,[28] and PBS specials.[29] Henry, along with Brandon Guyton, Mike Slamka, and Fred Farrell formed Crossroads in 2007 as a traditional barbershop harmony quartet, a cappella music styles. Crossroads performs worldwide,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36] and has also appeared on national TV programs such as Fox & Friends Weekend.[9]

Henry travels worldwide as a guest conductor, coach, and lecturer.[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] His doctoral thesis was on the origins of barbershop harmony.[45] He is a contributing author for the Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music and the Grove Dictionary of American Music. Henry also served as bass section leader for the Saint Louis Symphony Chorus.

Awards
  • 2019: Inducted to the Hall of Fame of the Barbershop Harmony Society[46]
  • 2016: Stand for Music Award from the National Association for Music Education – Crossroads[47]
  • 2016: Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus Championship as Co-Director of the Ambassadors of Harmony
  • 2015: Selected as bass of the BHS Fantasy Gold Quartet with lead Mike Slamka, tenor Tim Waurick, and baritone Tony DeRosa
  • 2013: Joe Liles Lifetime Achievement Award – Barbershop Harmony Society[48]
  • 2012: Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award – Best Barbershop Song (That Lucky Old Sun) – Crossroads[49]
  • 2012: Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus Championship as Director of the Ambassadors of Harmony[50]
  • 2011: International Leadership Network Dare to Lead Award[12]
  • 2010: Missouri Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching[51]
  • 2009: Barbershop Harmony Society International Quartet Championship – Crossroads[52][53]
  • 2009: Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus Championship as Director of the Ambassadors of Harmony[54][55][53]
  • 2008: Inducted to Hall of Fame of the Barbershop Harmony Society – with The Gas House Gang[56]
  • 2007: Outstanding District Director Award from the Missouri Choral Directors Association[57]
  • 2005: Inducted to Hall of Fame of the Central States District (BHS)[58]
  • 2004: Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus Championship as Director of the Ambassadors of Harmony[59]
  • 2001: Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award – Best Holiday Song (Go Tell It On The Mountain) – The Gas House Gang[60]
  • 1999: Inducted to Hall of Fame of the Central States District (BHS) – with The Gas House Gang[58]
  • 1997: Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award – Best Barbershop Song (Strike Up The Band Medley) – The Gas House Gang[61]
  • 1993: Barbershop Harmony Society International Quartet Championship – The Gas House Gang

References
  1. Williams, Adam (September 11, 2003). "For Ambassadors, Harmony Is Sweet, Discipline Is Strict". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. SC1. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  2. Rhoades, Sheila Frayne (May 20, 2014). "Ambassadors of Harmony make beautiful music internationally". MidRivers Newsmagazine. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  3. Armour, Amy (Summer 2017). "The Ambassadors Of Harmony: Keeping It In The Family". Streetscape Magazine. pp. 91–92. Archived from the original on 2017-05-28. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  4. Henry, Jim (November–December 2007). "Gold Medal Moments" (PDF). The Harmonizer. pp. 16–25. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 26, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  5. Heinz, Ryan (Spring 2011). "Two-part harmony". UMSL Magazine. p. 11. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  6. "Sweet Adelines Perform First Public Show, Sing Favorites". The Southeast Missourian. September 27, 1984. p. 9. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  7. "Sweet Adelines Harmonizing in Cape Girardeau". The Southeast Missourian. January 25, 1987. p. 3c. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  8. Jefferson, Robin Seaton (Summer 2009). "Ambassadors of Harmony: Note Perfect". Streetscape Magazine. pp. 60–61. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  9. Webb, Rachel (April 10, 2015). "UMSL Choral Studies Director Jim Henry Performs On National Television". UMSL Daily. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  10. Currier, Joel (August 6, 2004). "Open Wide And Say "A-O-H" - Barbershop Chorus Finds That Winning Is As Sweet As Adeline". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. SC1. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  11. Hockett, Tom (September 26, 2012). "Eye on UMSL: Vocal Point practice". UMSL Daily. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  12. Heinz, Ryan (April 12, 2011). "Choral Director Leads Groups Of All Sizes". UMSL Daily. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  13. Patterson, Leslie (May 12, 2013). "Summer Camp To Immerse Students In Singing". UMSL Daily. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  14. Krueger, Bonnie (January 25, 2017). "Ambassadors Of Harmony Creates Foundation To Bring Music To Kids". West Newsmagazine. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  15. Heinz, Ryan (July 14, 2014). "Eye on UMSL: Acappellooza". UMSL Daily. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  16. "Summer 2016 A Busy Season Of Harmony, Applause For UMSL's Jim Henry And Local Singers Young And Old". UMSL Daily. July 21, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  17. "Ambassadors Of Harmony Win A District Competition". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. October 19, 2001. p. SC1. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  18. Fallstrom, Bob (March 7, 2003). "Barbershoppers To Feature Gas House Gang". Herald and Review (Decatur, Illinois). p. 11. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  19. Sonderegger, John (December 15, 2004). "Ambassadors Bring Magic Touch To Holidays". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. SC2. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  20. "Voices only alumni to perform reunion concert". Lindenwood University. September 15, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  21. "Ambassadors Spread Barbershop Harmony On A Tour Of Sweden, Holland, Germany" (PDF). The Harmonizer. May–June 2004. p. 9. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  22. "Successful Barbershoppers Have Lindenwood Roots; Still Visit Campus" (PDF). Connection. Spring 2011. p. 7. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  23. LaPoint, Roger (February 1, 2015). "Vocal Spectrum quartet to perform in Oshkosh". Oshkosh Northwestern. p. B6. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  24. Currier, Joel; Kunz, Michael (May–June 2010). "Jim Henry: The Biggest Man In Barbershop Today" (PDF). The Harmonizer. pp. 18–24. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 26, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  25. Kunz, Michael (November–December 2004). "Hearts Of Gold" (PDF). The Harmonizer. pp. 11–15. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  26. Sullivan, Amy (February 15, 2002). "Humor & Harmony". Salina Journal. p. D1 – via Access Newspaper Archive.
  27. Lode-Gerke, Von Martina (March 8, 2004). "Blendender Barbershop und gehaltvolle Shows". Kultur in Dortmund. Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung. p. WDO 05.
  28. Wildman, Jim (March 18, 2002). "Barbershop Quartets, Present at the Creation". NPR: Morning Edition. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  29. Fenning, Esther Talbot (February 1, 2001). "Gas House Gang Barbershoppers Set To Harmonize At Community College". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. SC3. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  30. Oerding, Henrik (March 3, 2016). "A-capella-Musik: In feuchten Tüchern". Süddeutsche Zeitung. ISSN 0174-4917.
  31. Richards, Kevin (February 7, 2012). "Crossroads headlines festival". BYU-Idaho Scroll. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  32. "Crossroads quartet Folle journée 2014". dailymotion. February 2, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  33. Leroy, D.; LeMee, D.; Magdeleine, M.; Georgelin, M-C. (February 1, 2014). "Le Barbershop ou "musique chez le coiffeur" séduit la Folle journée". Culturebox. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  34. "la folle journee de Varsovie". Szalone Dni Muzyki America. September 27, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  35. "A Cuatro Voces". Fundacion Juan March. February 26, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  36. Askelund, Bitte (March 2016). "Sointujen suurlähettiläitä". Sulasol. p. 54. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  37. Lynch, Brian (August 26, 2016). "Jim Henry To Lead Chorus Of Music Educators At NAfME's Major Annual Conference". Barbershop Harmony Society Blog. Archived from the original on May 26, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  38. Garnett, Liz (June 8, 2011). "Masterclass with Jim Henry". Helping You Harmonise. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  39. Garnett, Liz (June 4, 2014). "Jim Henry and the Cottontown Chorus". Helping You Harmonise. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  40. "All-Ohio Choral Day & Crossroads Concert". Ohio Northern University. October 30, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  41. Lawson, Tom (June 22, 2017). "The Big Man Came to Town in June, not Santa, Jim". Barbershop Harmony Australia. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  42. Long, Kasy (October 26, 2015). "All-Ohio Choral Day & Crossroads Concert". Northern Review. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  43. Webb, Rachel (December 12, 2013). "UMSL conductor goes from Carnegie to Candlelight Concert with Bach Society". UMSL Daily. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  44. Lawson, Cheri (July 2, 2012). "The Olympics Of Choral Music Come To Cincinnati". NPR: All Things Considered. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  45. Henry, James (2000). "The origins of barbershop harmony : a study of barbershop's musical link to other African American musics as evidenced through recordings and arrangements of early black and white quartets" (PDF). WorldCat. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  46. "Hall of Fame Class of 2019: Dr. Jim Henry" (PDF). 2019 International Convention Program. Barbershop Harmony Society. July 6, 2019. pp. 48, 70. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  47. Krull, Ryan (May 23, 2016). "UMSL's Jim Henry wins national music award". UMSL Daily. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  48. "Joe Liles Lifetime Achievement Award". Barbershop Harmony Society. Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  49. Hoffman, Julia (April 5, 2012). "2012 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Winners". The Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA). Archived from the original on May 23, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  50. Johnson, Kevin C. (July 11, 2012). "Ambassadors Of Harmony Take Another First Place Prize". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  51. "Four UM Faculty Receive Governor's Award for Excellence in Education". University of Missouri System. Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  52. Miller, Sarah Bryan (July 26, 2009). "St. Charles Barbershop Quartet Wins International Competition". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. E4. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  53. Heinz, Ryan (August 5, 2009). "Choral Studies Director Grabs Gold, Twice". UMSL Daily. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  54. Miller, Sarah Bryan (July 7, 2009). "Ambassadors Of Harmony Win Barbershop Gold". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  55. "Ambassadors of Harmony Wins 2nd Gold Metal In 2009 Int'l Barbershop Chorus Competition". Broadway World. July 6, 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2009.
  56. "History of Barbershop – Our Heroes". Barbershop Harmony Society. Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  57. "Outstanding Director Archive". Missouri American Choral Directors Association. Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  58. "Hall of Fame". Central States Distrist. Archived from the original on 2015-08-29. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  59. Sieloff, Alison (December 5, 2007). "Living in Harmony". Riverfront Times. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  60. "2001 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Winners". The Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA). Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  61. "1997 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Winners". The Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA). Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
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