Our History
Symphony Hamilton is a community based volunteer symphonic orchestra serving Hamilton, Burlington and surrounding areas. Our Conductor and Music Director James McKay, masterfully leads the Orchestra offering diverse, challenging concert programs, affordably priced. Now entering our 36th year, Symphony Hamilton plays an important role for aspiring young musicians through it's annual Young Artists Competition. We are also honoured to have a well known and respected Hamiltonian Sabatino Vacca as our regular guest conductor.
Great Beginnings
Symphony Hamilton began in 1973 as the McMaster University Symphony Orchestra under the leadership of Dr Lee Hepner. Registered as a charitable organization in 1981, the orchestra left the University in 1988 and became the Greater Hamilton Symphony Association, an independent community orchestra operating under the name of Symphony Hamilton. The orchestra still maintains its original objectives:
- to perform symphonic music of high quality;
- to stimulate excellence in instrumental performance;
- to support, improve, and expand the musical opportunities for those living in the Hamilton and Burlington regions
Symphony Hamilton plays an important role in expanding the opportunities for enjoyment of music in the Hamilton and Burlington regions, by offering attractive and diverse concert programs at affordable prices. It provides musical training and enrichment for aspiring young musicians and qualified amateur players who enjoy the privilege of playing challenging symphonic music together with a core of professionals. Since its inception, more than 500 musicians have performed with our orchestra and many of them have gone on to distinguished professional careers in Canada and internationally. Symphony Hamilton has performed with the Mohawk College Singers, the Guelph Chamber Choir, the Brampton Festival Singers and other regional ensembles.
The Symphony Hamilton Young Artists' Competition, held annually since 1991, offers junior and senior winners the unparalleled opportunity to perform concerto movements with full orchestra, and reveals year after year the tremendous depth of talent and quality of music education in the Hamilton-Burlington region.
Throughout its history, the Symphony has attracted support from a broad base. Granting agencies such as the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Hamilton, the Hamilton Community Foundation, The Ontario Trillium Foundation and Canadian Heritage have provided funding, and institutions such as McMaster University and Mohawk College have furnished valuable resources. In addition, local corporations, businesses, community organizations and numerous individuals have supported the orchestra with their donations, purchases of program advertising, and donations in kind.
Following the untimely death of Lee Hepner in 1986, Matthew Airhart was appointed Music Director for two seasons. McMaster University severed ties with the orchestra in 1988. Distinguished guest conductors, including Roberto Da Clara, Morley Calvert, Peter Oleskevitch, Voltr Ivanofski and Clyde Mitchell, lead the orchestra from 1988 until 1990. Clyde Mitchell was appointed Music Director in 1990 and was succeeded by James R. McKay in 1994.
James R. McKay, Professor of Music at The University of Western Ontario, is now in his fourteenth year as Conductor and Music Director of Symphony Hamilton. Under his skilled guidance, the orchestra has achieved a high level of performance and continues to improve. With a challenging program and the excitement of our 35th season "Voyages" ahead in 2007-2008, the Board, members, and patrons of Symphony Hamilton look forward to another wonderful year of music making.
