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All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, May 16, 2025 - 4:30pm
Construction Work at Sherwood Branch

On Thursday, May 15, the library reopens with normal hours but with the following service limitations:

  • 1st Floor is closed to the public
  • Limited browsing collections of Express Adult Fic and Express DVDs are available on the 2nd Floor
  • Holds pickup is available on the 2nd Floor
  • Reduced number of public computers on 2nd Floor
  • Printing and copying available on 2nd Floor
  • Seating capacity is reduced
  • All 2nd Floor collections (teen, children, and graphic novels) are available 
  • Parking, washroom and elevator access are not affected

Please refer to hpl.ca/events for up-to-date program listings. Most programs will continue as normal on the 2nd Floor or in the basement. 

Published:
Thursday, May 15, 2025 - 2:30pm
All Branches Closed - May 30, Staff Professional Development

All HPL Branches are closed on Friday, May 30 for Staff Professional Development Day. Bookmobile is off the road and Extended Access service is not available. Our Virtual Branch is open at hpl.ca. Regular service hours resume Saturday, May 31. Thank you for your understanding.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, May 12, 2025 - 8:00am
Bookmobile Service Cancellations

These Bookmobile visits are cancelled this month:

Thursday May 15: Rockton and Meadowlands

Friday, May 16: Huntington Park

Friday, May 30: Huntington Park, Winona, and Maplewood

These Bookmobile visits are shortened:

Thursday May 15: Mohawk Gardens 2-2:30pm

Thursday May 15: Bennetto, 4:30-5:30pm

Published:
Friday, May 9, 2025 - 8:00am
All Branches Closed - Victoria Day 

All HPL Branches are closed on Sunday, May 18, and Victoria Day, Monday, May 19. Bookmobile is off the road. Extended Access and Study Hall services are not available. Our Virtual Branch is open at hpl.ca.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, May 1, 2025 - 9:30am
Turner Park Branch - Roof Repair

Due to the ongoing roof repair project, noise and parking disruptions are expected to continue until the end of June. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Monday, April 28, 2025 - 10:00am
Ancaster Branch - Temporary Closure, May 5-31

From Monday, May 5 to Saturday, May 31, the Ancaster Branch will be temporarily closed due to a roof and HVAC replacement. During this time, service hours will be available at the Ancaster Rotary Centre, 385 Jerseyville Road West, Ancaster. The last day to pick up your Holds is Thursday, May 1st. Thank you for your understanding.

www.hpl.ca/ancaster

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Published:
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - 11:00am
Central Library - Microfilm Machine

The digital microfilm machines at Central Library are not working. A single analog machine is available, but it doesn't print. We aim to have the digital devices repaired as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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Affected Branch: Central Library
Published:
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 3:30pm
Phishing Scheme

Please be aware of online phishing attempts impersonating Hamilton Public Library and Library Staff. HPL does not solicit paid freelance opportunities through social media or other messaging applications. HPL does not request personal or banking information through social media or require financial compensation when reviewing job applications. Please report phishing schemes to communications@hpl.ca. If you think you are a victim of fraud, please call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 10:30am

A Short History of Music and Music Education in Hamilton

Hamilton Conservatory of Music

The original home of the Hamilton Conservatory of Music
The original home of the Hamilton Conservatory of Music

In 1888 the Hamilton Musical Institute was formed by D.J. O'Brien. Prior to this, musical instruction was carried out in private educational institutions such as the Wesleyan Ladies College or Loretto College. Public schools also offered some musical instruction as part of their curriculum. The institute was renamed the Hamilton College of Music in 1889 and remained in operation until 1899 when the property at Main and Charles streets became the new home of the Hamilton Conservatory of Music. This music school had been founded in 1897 by C.L.M. Harris while acting as organist-choirmaster at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church in Hamilton. In 1904 the Conservatory was incorporated and moved to James St. South. Musical instruction has taken place almost continuously at this address ever since. In 1906, affiliation with the University of Toronto allowed the conservatory to prepare its students for the Bachelor of Music degree granted by that institution with 'disaffiliation' occurring in 1918 when the conservatory set up its own system of examinations.

Over the next six decades the conservatory thrived. Student enrollment expanded into the thousands and several branches of the school were opened throughout the city and within other communities in Southern Ontario. The conservatory received a royal charter in 1965 and was renamed the Royal Hamilton College of Music. Sadly the College closed in 1980 due to financial problems.

In 1997 after 17 long years, the beautiful old structure on James St. South was reopened as the Hamilton Conservatory of the Arts and once again offers music instruction along with art, performance and dance. 

Hamilton Conservatory of Music, Royal Hamilton College of Music, and now Hamilton Conservatory of the Arts
Hamilton Conservatory of Music, Royal Hamilton College of Music, and now Hamilton Conservatory of the Arts

 

Hamilton has a rich history of musical performance from its earliest days with many concerts, festivals and pantomimes featuring local talent as well as guest musicians and singers. In the early 19th century, Hamilton had an abundance of good music and good musicians but as the city was "almost entirely populated by people from the British Isles, where a singing tradition always has been strong" , a lot of the music presented was of a vocal and choral nature.

However, Hamilton possessed a wealth of military bands and talented church organists where the seeds of rich instrumental musical tradition were sown. Often musically inclined individuals and families dominated the music scene as both performers and teachers. Names like Littlehale, Stares, Nelligan, Carey, Robinson, Aldous, Ambrose and Hewlett are frequently mentioned in any discussion of Hamilton's musical past.

G. Roy Fenwick, Some Musical Memories, 1964 Wentworth Bygones, No. 6

 

Hamilton Musical Organizations

13th (Royal Regiment Bugle Band) Battalion Band  (1866)

Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (1903), formed by Harry Stares

Bach Choir (1932), formed by Graham Godfrey

Bach Elgar Choir (1946)

Canadian Orpheus Male Choir (1977), formed by Lyn Harry

Chamber Music Hamilton (2000)

ChamberWORKS (1993)

Czech Quartet

Dofasco Male Chorus (1945)

Elgar Choir (1905) , founded by Bruce Carey

East Hamilton Conservative Club Brass Band

East Hamilton Progressive Association Band

Fred Purser and the Washingtons

Hamilton All-Star Jazz Band (1984)

Hamilton Chamber Music Society (1951-1977)

Hamilton Children's Choir

Hamilton Choral Society (1883) , later known as the Hamilton Philharmonic Society

Hamilton Duet Club (1889 - ) founded by Ellen Ambrose

Hamilton Firefighters Drum Corps (1961)

Hamilton Male Quartet

Hamilton Musical Union

Hamilton Orchestral Society (1884)

Hamilton Orchestral Club (1885), founded by J.E.P. Aldous

Hamilton Opera Company (1898)

Hamilton Operatic Society (1926)

Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (1949 - 1996), (2000-)

Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (1965)

Hamilton Symphony Orchestra (1900)

Hamilton College of Music

Hamilton Conservatory of Music (1897-1965)

Handel Society

Harlequin Singers (1967), founded by Marilyn Alex

Harris Orchestral Club (1887), founded by C.M. Harris

Harry Waller and his Orchestra

John Laing Singers (1981)

Ladies String Orchestra (1908-)

McMaster Chamber Orchestra

Mendelssohn Society

Opera Hamilton (1980)

Ron Wicken Band

Royal Hamilton College of Music (1965-1980)

Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band (1866)

Sacred Harmonic Society

Sons of Temperance (1851)

Stelco Male Chorus (1941), formed by Cyril Hampshire

Symphony Hamilton

Te Deum Orchestra & Singers

Third Canadian Machine Gun Brigade Band

Vox Nouveau Singers (1990)

Waddington Venetian Orchestra

Wally Mack and his Orchestra

 

J.P. Aldous, William Hewlett, and Bruce Carey all played important roles in Hamilton's musical history and the Hamilton Conservatory of Music
J.P. Aldous, William Hewlett, and Bruce Carey all played important roles in Hamilton's musical history and the Hamilton Conservatory of Music

                                                                 

Early Music Venues of Hamilton

In the nineteenth century most musical performances took place in the larger churches of the city or in the concert hall located on the top floor of the Mechanics Hall on James St. North. In 1880, the Grand Opera House with a capacity to seat 1100 people was opened also on James St. North and provided the city with a "proper auditorium for theatrical and musical presentations". Other early venues were the auditorium of the YMCA, the Masonic Hall and larger school halls.

In 1973 a new concert hall, Hamilton Place, was officially opened as part of the city of Hamilton's massive urban renewal project. The hall seats 2193 and has been a popular venue in Southern Ontario ever since.

During the era of the big band, Hamilton was a destination for many of the top North American bands as well as local talent, like the Wally Mack Orchestra. Many of these later venues are also found here.

 

Association Hall (top of YMCA) 1889-1914

The Alexandra - James St. S. (1906 - 1964)

Duke's Lounge - Royal Connaught Hotel

Grand Opera House - James St. N. - opened in 1880

Mechanics Hall - James St.

Brant Inn, Beach Blvd., Burlington

Duke's Lounge - Royal Connaught Hotel

Oakwood Place

Winter Gardens

The Royal

The Downstairs Club- McNab St.

The Flamingo Lounge - McNab St. S.

The Grange Tavern - King St. W.

Golden Rail - King St. E. 

The Junction

The Jockey Club - Barton St. E.

St. Nick's - Barton St. E.

The Silhouette Club - corner of Main St E. and Walnut St. S.

The Sportsman Lanes and Lounge

Wondergrove - Parkdale & Main

                                                               

Hamilton Musicians, Composers, and Personalities with Notable Connections to Hamilton

Teenage Head

Conway Twitty

Richard Newell aka "King Biscuit Boy" (1944-2003)

Robert Ambrose (1824-1908)

George Washington Johnson (1839-1917)

George Roy Fenwick

Gordie Tapp

Jackie Washington (1919-2009)

 

Related Materials and Works cited in this Article

Bailey, Thomas, Hamilton Chronicle of a City, 1983

Wentworth Bygones, No.6

Hamilton Spectator

Canadian Digital Collections

Canadian Encyclopedia of Music

Carter, Doug, Cool Fool Blues Rockin' In The Hammer, 2010