HAMILTON, ON—The Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (HPYO) is celebrating 60 years with an outstanding concert that showcases the talents of current players and alumni members for an inspiring intergenerational performance. Conducted by HPYO Music Director David Willms, the concert program honours the enduring brilliance of orchestral classics and works special to the HPYO including the overtures to Bizet’s Carmen and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, the Thunder and Lightning Polka by Johann Strauss II, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, and Legacy by Liam Ritz, former member of the HPYO and past HPO Composer Fellow.
“It’s so exciting the HPYO is celebrating 60 years of music making in Hamilton,” said Willms. “It is a huge honour for me to welcome back and collaborate with so many HPYO Alumni from the orchestra’s earlier years. By inviting past players to join forces with the current roster, the HPYO ‘family reunion’ will be on full display! My hope is that past and present HPYO musicians will maintain their connection with the organization and that their memories of playing in the HPYO will always hold a special place in their hearts. A special thank you goes out to the participating alumni for prioritizing this event and revisiting their musical roots as the HPYO celebrates 60 years!”
Generations of musicians will play together and, in some instances, share a music stand at the concert. Intergenerational groups include three families of parents and their children, teachers and students, older and younger siblings, and a family of five ranging in age from 40+ years to a teenager.
“We are so excited to welcome Alumni back to play with the current orchestra,” said Megan Benjafield, General Manager of the HPYO. “With players from as far back as 1974 up to players who just left us at the end of last year, there will be a wide range of performers on stage. We are delighted to be revisiting Liam Ritz’s Legacy, a piece commissioned by the HPYO for the 50th anniversary of the orchestra. Not only is Liam the HPO’s first Composer Fellow, he is also an alumnus of the HPYO. We are also excited to perform a selection from Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony, which the HPYO was preparing to perform when the pandemic hit. Finally being able to perform this work at our 60th Anniversary concert is especially meaningful for all the players. At a Reunion Reception following the concert, we will also be launching our new HPYO Alumni Circle. We look forward to welcoming six decades of players back into the HPYO community.”
Founded in 1965 by noted music educator Glenn Mallory, the HPYO is the flagship education program of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Generations of young people in the Hamilton region have received high quality orchestral training that includes mentorship and coaching by professional players in the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Players have multiple performance opportunities throughout the year including the special tradition of a side-by-side performance with professional musicians at the HPO’s annual holiday concert.
“The HPYO has been such a huge part of my path as a musician so far,” said Marina Martinak who has participated for three years in the HPYO. She is currently principal cello of the HPYO Concert Orchestra and a section cellist in the HPYO Philharmonic Orchestra. “Playing in an orchestra is really just so much fun and has helped me learn more about music and myself, as well as meet fellow young musicians with the same love and passion for music.”
All concert attendees are invited to a reception immediately following the concert.
To learn more about this concert or to purchase tickets online, visit HPO.org.
ABOUT THE HAMILTON PHILHARMONIC YOUTH ORCHESTRA
The Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (HPYO) provides orchestral training and performance opportunities to young musicians aged 11 to 24. Founded by Glenn Mallory in 1965, the HPYO has given the joy of orchestral music to generations of young people and has delighted thousands of audience members. Graduates of the orchestra are involved in professional and community orchestras across Canada, in the United States and in Europe. David Willms has led the HPYO as Music Director since 2022.
ABOUT HAMILTON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
For 140 years, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has presented orchestral music and education programs with a mission to enrich the wellbeing of the greater Hamilton region. The HPO presents dynamic orchestral performances ranging from standard classical repertoire to popular music and world premieres by living composers. As one of Canada’s leading professional orchestras, the HPO has proudly contributed to the shaping of Hamilton’s cultural landscape.
The HPO is deeply committed to inclusivity, diversity, equity and accessibility in all programs, including symphony concerts (in-person and online); the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, administered by the HPO since 2021, and now the flagship music education program for young musicians in the region, closely linked to all community youth music education activities; 60+ community-based partner programs designed to meet the needs of diverse communities; music education performances, talks in schools and libraries; performances for children, youth and seniors; chamber music concerts in diverse neighbourhoods; lifelong learning and wellbeing events.
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