The Hamilton Children’s Choir (HCC) has been selected as one of only 11 choirs worldwide to perform at the World Symposium on Choral Music (WSCM) 2026 in Macau, China. It’s also the only choir from either North or South America to take part in the international event.
The WSCM is often dubbed the “Olympics of choral music”, and features a range of the world’s best choral ensembles. It takes place from August 23 to 28, 2026 in Macau, China.
There, the HCC will be performing in front of some of the world’s leading conductors and educators.
“This invitation is an extraordinary distinction,” says Artistic Director Melanie Tellez in a statement. “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.”
Over its half century of history, HCC has toured across North America, Europe, and Asia, and taken home top prizes at international competitions.
Beyond performance, Hamilton Children’s Choir Hamilton Children’s Choir offers musical education and opportunities for children and youth. Over 51 seasons, HCC has worked with more than 3,000 young singers. HCC offers a Financial Award Program to make sure than young voices can participate regardless of their financial circumstances.
LV spoke to HCC Artistic Director Melanie Tellez about the upcoming trip.
HCC In June 2026
There will also be a chances to hear the HCC, and for young singers to get a taste of the fun and musical friendship of choral singing, in June before they set out.
June 13: How To Build A Tree (llumini Choir)
On June 13, Ilumini (HCC’s more advanced choir, and primary performing ensemble) presents How To Build A Tree. The musical journey of tradition and discovery takes place across Turtle Island, Europe, and Asia, and includes in story and singing. The choir will be joined by Jamie Drake (percussion), Laura Pin (piano), Phillip Darley (cello), Brent Fifield (organ), and conductor Melanie Tellez.
“I think ‘How To Build a Tree’ is ultimately a call to presence,” said Tellez. “Young people — really, all of us — spend so much time trying to construct a future that we forget everything meaningful begins in the present moment. The music in this program reflects that idea in many different ways.”
- Find tickets and concert details [HERE].
June 27: Sing As You Are, Guest Performance
The HCC will be singing at the Discovery Centre at Hamilton’s West Harbour for an afternoon of fun that starts at 1 p.m. Sing As You Are is a pop-up program for children. The free event invites kids to attend and explore sounds while they learn about their vocal instruments. An instant choir will be built through easy to learn and catchy songs. Even if you can’t read music, and don’t think you can carry a tune… you’re welcome to take part.
Hamilton Children’s Choir’s Ilumini performs Dr. Shireen Abu-Khader’s arrangement of “Lao Rahal Soti” يتوص لحر ول (If My Voice Departs), Lyrics and Music by Samih Choukeir:
Melanie Tellez: The Interview
The theme for the World Symposium on Choral Music (WSCM) 2026 is Reimagining the Future, with a focus on highlighting diverse musical traditions from across the globe. Conversations, innovation, and shared artistic growth are the goals.
“The theme for this choral symposium has to do with the future,” says Tellez.
She, as well as the Symposium organizers, felt that a young choir like HCC, which incorporates a solid percentage of music by living composers in their repertoire, would make an ideal addition to their lineup. Tellez also acknowledges that, with the rising expense of travel, there were probably fewer application than in some other recent years.
For HCC, the time was also right.
“There are years when a children’s choir is very strong, and there are years where there’s a strong turnover,” she points out.
With the host country able to emphasize their own choral ensembles, the Symposium offers the opportunity for a greater exposure to Asian choral music and practice. “I think it’s wonderful that they’re highlighting a series of Asian choirs,” Melanie says.
The Choir(s)
“I’ve worked with HCC since 2010,” says Tellez. It’s her fourth season as the organization’s Artistic Director.
“The whole organization has a very similar scheme to thriving children’s choirs across Canada,” she explains.
It incorporates a large group of kindergarten age children in multiple groups. The numbers get smaller as the choristers age, develop, and become part of other groups, and culminates in Ilumini, which includes singers aged about 13 in grade seven, up to university age. It numbers about 40 singers in 2026. “They’ve been a strong cohort. Many of them have been there for four years,” she says.
Ilumini tackles challenging repertoire, and also add other dimensions to performance. “There’s a lot of movement,” Melanie says. They work with Choreography and Movement Specialist Joanne Chow, a graduate of the Juilliard School. “She’s designed a lot of unique theatrical productions.”
Adding movement creates a more dynamic concert experience. Part of that is the expectations of modern audiences. “Audiences are more and more stimulated visually,” Tellez points out. “We include and consider what the full human body is doing. I think it’s more meaningful for audiences.” It’s also about how the young choristers learn. “They’re really not [typically] being asked to embody things,” Melanie adds. Learning in a strictly receptive mode, they’re only asked to respond cognitively. But, that’s now how music works.
“Your body is your instrument. The brain actually can’t sing,” she points out.
A focus on what is happening within the body is a facet that is brought into rehearsals. How do the singers impact the space around them?
“That is the format within they spend most of their day,” she says of rehearsals. “We still touch on the basics, articulation, pitch and all that,” she continues. But, it begins with a question. “Have you been paying attention to your body today? It’s sort of the invisible foundation which can impact making art with your voice.”
The Hamilton Children’s Choir – Ilumini – sing La Belle Se Promène Arr. by HCC alumna Meghan Quinlan
To Macau
Just as the host country will highlight Asian choral music, HCC will be showcasing its own ground base.
“We have a program with a good amount of Canadian music,” Tellez says.
The music will include selections from composers across the country, including a piece by Newfoundland based The Ennis Sisters, arranged by Leslee Heys, and a song by Marie-Claire Saindon, a Franco-Ontarian composer now based in Montréal.
Another piece is by Canadian composer Meghan Quinlan, who began her musical journey as a singer in the Hamilton Children’s Choir. “That’s become a bit of a signature piece for the choir,” Melanie says. “They love it.” HCC has competed with the piece on several occasions.
When The Earth Stands Still by British Columbia composer Don MacDonald is also on the program.
“We’re singing treble music,” she explains. “We’ve programmed a lot of music that has two alto parts,” she adds. MacDonald was flexible in how his work was arranged. “He freely sanctioned us to play with the voicings.”
Boys and their changing voices can become part of the equation, depending on timing. One of the alto parts is generally deeper, to accommodate those singers.
Two pieces by Malaysian-Canadian choral conductor Dr. Tracy Wong have also made it to the list for Macau. Other Canadian repertoire includes music by Palestinian-Jordanian-Canadian composer, conductor, and music educator Dr. Shireen Abu-Khader, and Cree-Dene composer Sherryl Sewepagaham.
Along with the Canadian works, there are pieces from Iceland and Latvia, and Finland.
“Quite a few of them are children’s folk songs, but arranged with a lot of complexity,” she says. “It’s in six and eight parts now, and they’re also creating the rhythmic ostenati.”
Naturally, the members of the Ilumini choir are excited about the upcoming trip. “They were thrilled because they knew it was not a given,” Melanie says. But, the choir was already planning for international tours. “It’s also the World Choir Games this summer in Sweden.” That also takes place in August, an alternative option if Macau hadn’t turned out.
Travel to Macau is expensive, but Tellez reports that there is a subsidy available for lodging and food while they’re there. “A lot of our families participate in the choir via financial support,” she notes.
“After having done the competition in Wales a few years ago, they’re happy to do something that’s not a competition,” Tellez adds. The Symposium offers the opportunity to create the kind of program that they want to sing, rather than according to competition requirements. “I think that’s a more interesting way to make music and present music,” she says.
It puts the focus on the music, and the possibilities, rather than constant vigilance against making errors.
Final Thoughts
“We’re really grateful to bring a big team [to Macau],” Tellez says. That includes a pianist, percussion, and cellist.
- You can support the Hamilton Children’s Choir tour fund [HERE].
- Find out more about their June 13 Build A Tree concert [HERE].
- Young singers can find out more about how to take part in HCC’s programs [HERE].
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