Find Your People at the HPYO
The Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra is a place for young musicians to join together and create great music. With two streams, the HPYO has a place for most youth musicians who play an orchestral instrument. Younger musicians who have been playing for a few years and have never been in an orchestra will find a home in the Concert Orchestra. The Philharmonic Orchestra, on the other hand, provides a more advanced experience to those players with a higher level of technical ability and who have orchestral experience.
Our young musicians travel from across the Greater Hamilton Area and beyond on Saturday mornings to meet at McMaster University to make music and friends. With a focus on building community and ensuring that all HPYO players and their families feel valued and included, our faculty and administrative staff work hard to develop a comfortable and welcoming environment for them when they arrive.
Our philosophy is to provide high quality orchestral training as a vehicle for personal development and growth in our youth musicians. Music education is proven to enhance cognitive development, language skills and spatial-temporal abilities. Being a member of a youth music ensemble creates a sense of pride and accomplishment. It allows young people to be part of a larger community of musicians, and develops a sense of teamwork and interdependence.
