Hamilton, ON, March 31, 2026 — Hamilton’s momentum as a leading music city continues beyond the JUNO Awards, with the Hamilton Children’s Choir (HCC) being selected to perform at the World Symposium on Choral Music 2026 (WSCM 2026), one of the most prestigious global gatherings in the choral world.
The Hamilton Children’s Choir is among only eleven choirs worldwide invited to perform, and notably, the only choir – adult or children’s – representing all of the Americas at this year’s symposium. For Artistic Director Melanie Tellez, this invitation is both artistic and personally meaningful to the community she serves.
“This invitation is an extraordinary distinction,” says Tellez. “That a choir from Hamilton, Ontario, stands as the sole representative of the Americas makes this moment all the more powerful. We are incredibly proud to bring the voices of our young singers to this global stage.”
Taking place from August 23–28, 2026, in Macau, China, the World Symposium on Choral Music is a triennial event organized by the International Federation for Choral Music. The symposium brings together some of the world’s finest choirs, conductors, composers, and educators for a week of performances, workshops, and cultural exchange, all centred on advancing artistic excellence and global collaboration in choral music.
With a 2026 theme of Reimagining the Future, the symposium highlights diverse musical traditions from around the globe and creates space for dialogue, innovation, and shared artistic growth.
For a choir with a long-standing tradition of excellence, this invitation marks the next chapter in a remarkable international journey. Over its 50-year history, HCC has performed across North America, Europe, and Asia, earning top honours at global competitions and appearing at leading festivals including Polyfollia in France, Tolosa in Spain, and most recently, the Llangollen International Choral Eisteddfod in Wales.
“I am deeply proud of our brilliant artistic team and hard-working choristers, who have worked diligently to earn our international reputation,” says Executive Director Gillian Alexander. “Not only will our choristers experience some of the most high-calibre choral performers in the world, but they will be able to immerse themselves in the culture and history of Macau while doing so. Not many children are offered such an opportunity at this age.”
As Hamilton continues to celebrate its rich musical identity, this achievement marks an exciting next chapter, one where local voices resonate on a world stage.
