Student band The Ambassadors is known for its uplifting message and clean, wholesome music. 

The Ambassadors first debuted among other Hillsdale student bands at Centralhallapolooza Showdown in 2023. Since The Ambassadors placed in the competition, they earned a spot to open for DWLLRS at 2023’s CHP.

The band’s founding members are seniors Jacob More and his wife Lilliana, seniors Paul Lindauer, Stephen Conner, Daniel Ladzinski, and sophomore Nicholas Blatner. The band’s membership is currently in flux.

“We’re still trying to figure out who is in the band,” More said. “Several of our members graduated, and a lot of us have busy schedules.” 

The Ambassadors first formed the summer of 2022 when More said he noticed a lack of  “wholesome music at Hillsdale events.” The band’s mission was to provide an alternative to music they perceived as “vulgar” at events they attended. 

“The band wants to bring fun and nostalgic songs to Hillsdale events,” More said. “Our goal is to show that people can have fun while listening to music and still maintain a clean conscience.”

The group decided on its name as a reflection of these values. More said he wanted the band to be seen as “ambassadors” to promote more wholesome music at Hillsdale.

The band rehearsed for about a year until its first official gig.

“Practicing for CHP and the showdown presented some difficulties because all of our members had such busy schedules, but Jacob, our drummer, took leadership to keep us on track,” guitarist Lindauer said.

Lindauer said there were many challenges the band had to work through on a number of difficult pieces.

“One solo in the middle of ‘Follow the Light’ was a challenge for me, and the first time I fully played it through my effects pedal,” Lindauer said. “Jacob was so excited that he dropped everything to give me a hug without finishing the song.”

A number of students had positive things to say regarding how The Ambassadors stood out to them at CHP this past spring.

“I really enjoyed The Ambassadors. I think their music was great as the opening hype to CHP,” senior Luke Joyce said. “I appreciated the more laid back party music as a nice departure from the other bands.”

Another student, junior Caitlin Filep, said Lilliana’s vocals stood out to her as a highlight of the performance. 

“Lilli’s vocals were super solid, especially since she did the whole concert six months pregnant,” she said.

The Ambassadors do not have any gigs set in stone coming up, but they are interested in playing at CHP Showdown again this coming spring. Jacob More has been hard at work finding new members for the band and preparing for the upcoming school year.