Remembering! (Oh, how the time flies!) the ministry of music by the Ambassadors Christian Male Chorus since 1969 in the Hamilton and other Ontario communities. Although the choir has now been retired (2019) this September (2024) is the 55th year since its beginning.
Following was originally posted on July 17, 2014 by JS
For the occasion of the Ambassadors Christian Male Chorus 45th Anniversary – September 1969 – 2014
Being 45 years old speaks of maturity and yet the choir, having certainly ‘matured’ (read: longtime) members, also has singers that have just joined in the last few years. Singing along with other men is certainly the attraction for some of them and a passion for others. Being challenged to memorize the music and songs by heart is at times a real ‘man like’ effort and takes discipline and dedication. Attending the practices each week is of utmost importance, especially for those who do not read music that fluently and who have no other tuning exercise at home (like a piano) that can guide them in their practices.
It is also surprising to note that ‘singing together’ helps sound the right note and contributes to the memorization of the songs. It appears easier to sing the right notes and words ‘together as a group’ than if one was to tackle the work on your own. Singing along with others creates its own rhythm and allows a proper atmosphere to produce all the things necessary towards gaining that perfect scoring of the song. It is a bit ‘magic like’ that this blend of the voices produces memory of the music and increases the recall of the memorization of the words. (even hearts begin to synchronize – see article excerpt below)
The human voice is a tremendous instrument and a gift of God that enhances the pleasure of life’s experiences and gives adoration for the grace and the beauty of the creation and awakens man’s much intimate expressions and feelings about God, creation and relational community. There is an awakening of the breathing process and an acknowledgement of lungs and voice so that when the right chord is sung, the feeling and hearing of the common (camaraderie) effort is enhanced, WOW! the sound is sweet.
While all said, the discipline of the practice and being at the weekly sessions are of upmost importance. The direction given for the music must also be clear and precise, especially for those who do not have the ‘knowledge or training’ of rhythm and measure that go into becoming an accomplished musician. Most of us are ‘interested’ and ‘motivated’ marginal amateurs and therefore need a firm and familiar hand for the perfectional outcome of the performance. Enunciate clearly the words you are pressing on your audience!
Harold de Haan has given leadership (with the much able piano accompanist Laura Pin) to many choristers that have been members of this choir over the years since that September in 1969. (Thank you Harold!) Many have come and gone over the years but there are some who have stuck with it for all this time. Coming week after week for practice has been for all of them a love and a leisure time to explore and develop their musical gifts and with practice they have obtained satisfaction and blessings from their efforts.
Thanks to First Hamilton Christian Reformed Church congregation for letting us use their facilities for over 40 years. It has been much appreciated and a great contribution to the ‘fellowship of the church’ in giving space this worthwhile effort that was used to birth the blessings of many groups and organizations (senior homes, church congregations, school societies) and community affairs such as the ‘Dutch/Canadian connection in remembrance of the efforts of liberation (1945).
For many years now the Ambassadors have also participated in the annual ‘Praise Festival’ which was started to encourage and showcase the music and song of Male choruses in our communities of different places throughout south/western and central Ontario. This effort has been a blessing to many who have participated and listened to the glorious songs and tunes that have expressed Christian faith and encouragement of our common life concerns and efforts.
May God bless the Ambassadors as they celebrate and may the younger generation in our circles be encouraged and blessed by these efforts and so take note and become interested to pick up the challenge and become involved in singing with their peers and so blessing the communities in which they live.
The pleasure of a good song can increase and encourage faith and relational understanding and provide an ambiance in your relation with God and your family and friends. King David the music making king of the Bible expressed it this way:
Book of Psalms number 33
1 Release your heart’s joy in sweet music to the Eternal. When the upright passionately sing glory-filled songs to Him, everything is in its right place.
2 Worship the Eternal with your instruments, strings offering their praise; write awe-filled songs to Him on the 10-stringed harp.
3 Sing to Him a new song; play each the best way you can, and don’t be afraid to be bold with your joyful feelings.4For the word of the Eternal is perfect and true; His actions are always faithful and right.
5 He loves virtue and equity; the Eternal’s love fills the whole earth.8 Listen, the eye of the Eternal is upon those who live in awe of Him, those who hope in His steadfast love, 19 That He may save them from the darkness of the grave and be kept alive during the lean seasons.20 We live with hope in the Eternal. We wait for Him, for He is our Divine Help and Impenetrable Shield. 21 Our hearts erupt with joy in Him because we trust His holy name. 22 O Eternal, drench us with Your endless love, even now as we wait for You. Amen. (Translation – The Voice, courtesy biblegateway.com)
- Benefits of singing in a choir: (Article in the New Scientist) – The heart rates of people who sing in a choir quickly synchronize with one another. The discovery may offer clues to the health benefits of group singing. Björn Vickhoff at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, recruited 15 singers and asked them to undertake a number of joint singing tasks, from monotone humming to singing a meditative mantra or Christian hymn. Their vital signs were monitored throughout. The team found that choral singing increased the amount by which an individual’s heart rate varied. That might confer a potential health benefit because low variability in heart rate is known to be related to high blood pressure, says Vickhoff. They also found that the singers’ heart rates tended to fluctuate in synchrony when they were singing structured songs. This was linked to an effect known as respiratory sinus arrhythmia – where your heart beat varies in synchrony with breathing, which is known from research on meditation to be soothing, says Vickhoff. So choir singing, he speculates, might be achieving calming effects in a similar way to breathing exercises in yoga. “But the medical effects need investigating further,” he says.
Some of the choir’s songs are listed on YOUTUBE.
Originally posted in blog ‘One man’s view’
JS 
Sept 27, 2024
On the Road 
