Founded in 2013 by vocal teacher Sue Crowe Connolly, Hamilton Sings! is a non-audition choir for adults and older youth. That year, Sue invited award-winning Hanna Bech Mathieson to co-direct the choir and their combined talents produced a unique, well-rounded sound and repertoire.
From 25 original members based in Christ’s Church Cathedral, the choir grew rapidly and moved its activities to St. Peter’s Church, 705 Main St., East, Hamilton. The choir rehearsed, performed, held meetings and maintained a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, which ran the space and shared a common mandate of community building.
In 2014, members of the choir formed a steering committee to oversee administrative and fundraising activities, as well as to plan for the future. Early in 2017 the choir became a registered non-profit Ontario corporation, in March it elected its first board of directors, and in April 2018 the choir approved its new by-laws.
In 2017, Hamilton Sings! returned to Christ’s Church Cathedral for a sold-out spring concert, and did so again in 2018, attracting an audience of 300. By September 2017, 100 people had registered for membership, which then had to be capped at 80. Interest and membership in Hamilton Sings! continued to grow, along with a number of new fundraising initiatives.
In 2019, Sue and Hanna were honoured with a Hamilton Arts Award for Community Arts and Education, and Hamilton Sings! received its federal registered charity status.
With the coming of COVID-19, the choir moved to online sessions. Sue and Hanna had announced a wish to retire from their duties, so the Board advertised for replacements and auditioned the applicants. New directors Piper Hayes and Emma Moss co-conducted the Zoom sessions of the fall of 2021 and winter of 2022. Sadly for us, Emma Moss has departed to graduate music studies at the University of Toronto.
But happily, Hanna Bech will be returning as co-conductor alongside Piper Hayes commencing September 2022.
