THE PASSION FOR PIZZA

Directors

Jim Henry

Men's & Mixed Chorus Director

Jim Henry holds degrees in vocal music education, music theory and music composition, including a Ph.D. in music composition from Washington University. He is currently the Director of Choral Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he conducts the University Singers and Vocal Point and teaches choral methods, choral arranging, and choral conducting. He was recently named the MCDA St. Louis Suburban District Outstanding Director and has been named the 2009 recipient of the Missouri Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

In addition to his duties at UMSL, Dr. Henry is the musical and artistic director of the Ambassadors of Harmony, a 160-voice men's a cappella chorus that performs barbershop, jazz, and light classical music. The Ambassadors of Harmony have produced six recordings, and were recently named the Barbershop Harmony Society’s 2016 International Champion Chorus.

Dr. Henry’s singing experience spans classical music to jazz. He currently sings bass with and arranges for Crossroads, who were recently named the 2009 BHS International Championship Quartet (making Dr. Henry the only man in history to win an International Competition as a singer and as a director in the same year). Crossroads has performed across North American and Europe and have produced one recording. Dr. Henry was previously the bass of the Gas House Gang, also International Quartet Champions. Over the span of 18 years, the Gas House Gang entertained audiences in all fifty states and fifteen countries, and in venues from the Grand Ole Opry to Carnegie Hall. They were featured on NBC’s “Today Show,” NPR's “At the Creation,” and two PBS specials, “Voices in Harmony” and “The Egg.” The Gas House Gang produced five recordings.

Dr. Henry served as bass section leader for the Saint Louis Symphony Chorus and sang bass with Odyssey, a popular St. Louis-based jazz quartet.As a composer, Dr. Henry has won awards for his songs and piano pieces. He served for three years as composer-in-residence at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School under the aegis of Washington University, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, and the Buder Foundation. He was also a music mentor for the “Music, Words, Opera” educational program sponsored by Opera Theatre of St. Louis.

Dr. Henry travels the world as a guest conductor, coach, and lecturer. He is also a contributing author for the Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music, published by Routledge Press.

Debbie Cleveland

Women’s Chorus Director

Debbie Cleveland is the choral director at Gaither High School in Tampa, Florida, where she serves 165 students each year with a full program that includes three choruses, and SHOWCASE, a pop music ensemble consisting of sixteen singers accompanied by a live ten-piece band.

Under Debbie's leadership, her choirs have maintained consistent overall "Superior" ratings at yearly District MPAs for more than 20 years. SHOWCASE 2010 was selected as featured performer at 2010 FMEA state convention, and the Gaither Concert Chorus was selected and performed four times in New York City cathedrals. She was also named the 2018 Music Educator of the Year by the Barbershop Harmony Society and the National Association for Music Education.

Debbie has sung in two gold medal quartets in Sweet Adelines. Most recently as the lead singer of the 2005 International Champion Quartet "the BUZZ," and before that as the lead singer of the 1994 International Champion Quartet "Showtime". She is also a studio singer for Warner Bros. promotional materials for educational choral publications.

Debbie is a much sought after coach, teacher, and performer, with "Showtime" and "the BUZZ" appearing in the U.S., Canada, England, Scotland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. She is also a Certified International Faculty member of Sweet Adelines, International, and has been a Guest Clinician for Youth Harmony Festivals in Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Georgia and California.

The Ambassadors of Harmony

ACAPPELLOOZA SUMMER
June 27-30, 2023
University of Missouri-St. Louis

Directors

Sponsor

4x International Barbershop Harmony Society International Champions

"SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!"

Want to Sponsor?

Give the Gift of Music

Would you like to make a difference in a young person’s life? With your support, campers in need will have the opportunity to participate in a fun-filled week of specialized choral instruction, the opportunity to learn from positive role models and mentors, and create friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

We have several ways you can contribute. Please consider sharing your gift with dedicated students who strive to improve their knowledge and skills in a cappella music! Sponsorships will be accepted in full or partial amounts.

Sponsor a Camper ($395)

Your name will appear in the concert program.

Contact- Matt Suellentrop

locations

Overview

“Acappellooza Summer” is an overnight a cappella music summer camp held at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) for students in grades 9-12. For four days students will be immersed in singing led by some of the world’s most prominent names in a cappella music, including four-time international champion chorus the AMBASSADORS OF HARMONY, and two-time gold medalists DR. JIM HENRY and DEBBIE CLEVELAND.

Music and learning tracks will be sent to the students in advance so that they can come together to perfect their skills in preparation for a one-of-a-kind a cappella concert on Friday night. The concert will feature all the “Acappellooza Summer” participants who will comprise a men’s chorus, a women’s chorus and a combined chorus. They will share the stage with Evening Glow, Newfangled Four (2019 BHS International Finalists), as well as other groups.

In addition to the intense rehearsals there will be many opportunities to just have fun with educational classes, guest performances, tag singing, a movie night and more.

Costs

Early Bird Registration: $365 (through May 8, 2023)

Regular Registration: $395 (after May 8, 2023)

Includes 3 nights in Oak Hall, Breakfast (Wed-Fri), Lunch (Tue-Fri), Dinner (Tue-Fri), Camp T-Shirt, Drawstring Bag
Note- Breakfast is not provided to commuter participants

Where You'll Be Staying - Oak Hall!!!

SCHOLARSHIP MONEY IS AVAILABLE! TO APPLY, CLICK THE LINK BELOW

Scholarship Application Coming Soon

Registration deadline is Monday, June 12, 2023. All forms (including camp registration and housing request) must be completed by this date.

Cancellations by June 12 will receive a full refund. Cancellations from June 6 to June 19 will receive at 50% refund. Cancellations after June 19 will receive no refund.