Duet Club of Hamilton

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Duet Club of Hamilton

Founded in 1889, the Duet Club of Hamilton is the longest standing women's musical club in Canada. Currently the Duet Club meets at Melrose United Church.

The Duet Club awards scholarships through the HMF and supports a chorus, Women of Song. The Duet Club of Hamilton is the longest-standing women’s musical club in Canada. In 1889 Ellen Ambrose founded the 'Haydn Duet Club' as her students played Haydn symphonies in piano duet form when too shy to play solos. Originally, meetings of the Club were held at the Carey Piano Warehouse and fees were set a

t $1.00. In 1909 meetings were moved to the Hamilton Conservatory of Music then, in 1969, to Dalewood School and the Studio Theatre at Hamilton Place. In early years, meetings for study of specific composers were prepared by members themselves, with musical illustrations and including live performances. After a glorious past of presenting such eminent musicians as Gladys Swarthout, Gerald Moore, Jan Rubes, Herman Geiger Torel, and the Canadian Opera Company, the Duet Club now offers three concerts during the year, with guest performers. The Ellen Ambrose Scholarship was established in 1939. New scholarships have been added over the years and today the Duet Club offers up to 12 scholarships each year in vocal, choral, piano, strings, brass, organ and musical theatre to young area musicians. Each scholarship recipient has the opportunity to perform for a knowledgeable and appreciative audience at a concert hosted by the Duet Club. The Duet Club raises funds for the scholarships through donations and fund-raising events, such as our annual trip to the Shaw Festival and the Ellen Ambrose Tea & Silent Auction. The Duet club also includes a SSAA women’s chorus - WOMEN OF SONG - that performs in various venues throughout the Hamilton area. Practices are Wednesday mornings, 10 a.m. til noon. We invite you to join us in making “Music for the Joy of It”.

07/13/2026

A piano with a remarkable history. 🎹

In 1922, The Duet Club purchased a seven-foot Steinway grand piano that remains part of Hamilton's musical community today.

The piano was ordered from New York, where legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz advised the Club on its selection. Club members raised funds for its purchase and maintenance, hosting annual Piano Parties to support this treasured instrument.

Over the years, many distinguished pianists have performed on it, including Horowitz himself, along with Valerie Tryon, Neil Chotem, Gerald Moore, Stuart Hamilton, and many others.

The piano has also had quite a journey, moving from the Hamilton Conservatory of Music to several locations throughout the city before finding its current home at Melrose United Church.

More than a century after its purchase, this remarkable instrument continues to be played by talented musicians, carrying forward a legacy that began in 1922. 🎶

06/24/2026

A tiny pin with a very big story. 🎶

The Duet Club President’s pin is more than jewelry - it’s a tradition passed from one President to the next.

Designed by Hamilton artist Julian Ruggles Seavey, the crest features a treble clef, the notes D and C, and “Founded 1889.” In 1929, on The Duet Club’s 40th anniversary, founder Ellen Ambrose received a gold pin created in this design, with diamond-set notes donated by the acting President.

Here’s the part that makes it even more special: the original die used to create the pin was later lost in a fire at the George H. Lees jewelry firm, making the President’s pin effectively irreplaceable.

Only a small number of additional pins were ever made, and some may still be tucked away in family jewelry boxes, their history forgotten. ✨

06/03/2026

“I really must refuse.”

Not exactly the words you’d expect to launch a musical tradition!

In the late 1800s, a student’s reluctance to perform solo inspired the beginnings of The Duet Club, a musical community that would shape Hamilton’s cultural life for generations.

Music teacher Ellen Ambrose brought students together to play for one another in homes and studios - and many became founding members of The Duet Club.

More than 100 years later, the music continues. 🎼

04/25/2026

Many members of Women of Song have talents in addition to singing!

Elizabeth Tessier is a Hamilton poet whose work was published in Evenings on Paisley Avenue: Seven Hamilton Poets. She self-published a collection of poems entitled “The Words They Cannot Say” inspired by thirty years of working in Hamilton museums. Her work, “Frozen Charlotte”, details her struggle with Parkinson’s disease. She appeared with the Duet Club as the voice of their founder, Ellen Ambrose in their 135th Anniversary Concert. Her Whitehern inspired narrative musical, “I’ll Be a Mother”, premiered in the fall of 2024.

Elizabeth will be reading one of her poems at our Annual Spring Concert tomorrow.

Sunday, April 26 | 2:30 pm
Melrose United Church, 86 Homewood at Locke, Hamilton

Tickets available at https://duetclub.ca/springconcert or at the door.

See you there!

04/24/2026

We are pleased to welcome back one of our guest performers from last year's spring concert!

Daniel Martens’ acting credits include leads with The Buchanan Park Opera Club, Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School’s ArtSMART, The Highlands Summer Festival, Penny and Pound Theatre, Theatre Ancaster, as well as supernumerary roles with Highlands Opera Studio. Television credits include productions with The History Channel, and The Discovery Channel. In 2024, he was the recipient of the Howard Fairclough Bursary for his vocal leadership in The Baptist Church.

Sunday, April 26, at 2:30 pm.
Melrose United Church, 86 Homewood at Locke, Hamilton

Tickets available at https://duetclub.ca/springconcert or at the door.

We look forward to seeing you there!

04/23/2026

We're excited to announce some of the local talent who'll be joining Women of Song at our Annual Spring Concert this Sunday.

Lyla Miklos is a multiple award-winning q***r feminist activist, broadcast journalist, community organizer, education worker, publicist, vocalist and writer. She is the host of Centre Stage on 933 CFMU, owner of Lyla-The Publicist, and a 2025 Hamilton Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement nominee.

Lyla has belted out O Canada at special events, recorded in studio with local area musicians, performed numerous musical theatre roles, added her voice to several choirs and showcased her unique vocal talents as a soloist in countless venues across Southern Ontario.

04/21/2026

Do you have your tickets yet?

Join the Duet Club of Hamilton this Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 PM as the Women of Song chorus and guest performers present From Far and Wide: A Salute to Canadian Music.

This inspiring afternoon will feature beloved favourites and moving selections celebrating Canada’s rich musical landscape — a concert not to be missed.

Free parking is available in the Melrose United Church lot and on surrounding streets.

Please join us afterwards for a reception and light refreshments.

Tickets
Adults $25
Students & Seniors $20
Children 12 and under: FREE
Available online or at the door.
https://duetclub.ca/springconcert

04/07/2026

A Tradition of Music and Community

For generations, the Duet Club of Hamilton has brought voices together in song, fostering connection, creativity, and community spirit.

Our Women of Song chorus continues this proud tradition in the upcoming Annual Choral Concert, From Far and Wide: A Salute to Canadian Music. Whether you attend each year or will be joining us for the first time, we warmly invite you to share in this special afternoon of music and fellowship.

Sunday, April 26, 2026 | 2:30 PM
Melrose United Church
Tickets available online and at the door
https://duetclub.ca/springconcert

Stay after the performance for a reception and an opportunity to visit with friends old and new.

We look forward to welcoming you.

03/24/2026

From Far and Wide: A Salute to Canadian Music

The Duet Club of Hamilton proudly presents the Women of Song chorus in our Annual Choral Concert celebrating music created right here in Canada.

Experience a rich variety of styles and voices reflecting our nation’s musical heritage and contemporary spirit.

Sunday, April 26, 2026 | 2:30 PM
Melrose United Church
86 Homewood Ave. at Locke, Hamilton

Tickets
Adults $25
Seniors & Students $20
Children 12 and under: FREE
Order tickets online or pay at the door (cash or debit).

https://duetclub.ca/springconcert

03/12/2026

Join us on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. for the Duet Club of Hamilton’s Annual Choral Concert at Melrose United Church.

This year’s program, From Far and Wide: A Salute to Canadian Music, will be performed by the Women of Song chorus under the direction of conductor Dawn Martens, with accompanist Christabel Pinto. Enjoy a musical journey featuring Canadian compositions ranging from traditional folk songs to recent popular favourites.

The concert will be followed by an open reception in the church auditorium.

Tickets may be purchased online or at the door. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing music for the joy of it.

Address

86 Homewood Avenue
Hamilton, ON
L8P2M4

Website

http://www.duetclub.ca/

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