With the 2026/27 season, The Hamilton Philharmonic is not only celebrating 77 seasons of classical music in the city, it’s looking forward to the expansion of its Centre for Musical Leadership initiative with the addition of a Conductor Fellow & Assistant to the Music Director, as well as two Conducting Apprentices.
“Giving conductors at varying stages of their development and careers consistent mentorship and
training is an essential part of shaping of the next generation of conductors in Canada,” said HPO Music Director James Kahane. “We are proud to introduce this program at the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, creating meaningful opportunities for emerging composers.”
The Inaugural Conducting Fellowship Cohort
The Conducting Fellow and Apprentice programs are designed to give emerging conductors a next step in their path to a sustainable career. They get hands-on opportunities in an immersive environment, tuition-free for one season, including meaningful podium time, personalized mentorship, and experience working with a professional orchestra.
For the 26-27 Season, Thomas Burton will be Conductor Fellow & Assistant to the Music Director, and Charles Amoah and Keegan Thomas Hedley will be Conducting Apprentices.
As the Conducting Fellow, Thomas Burton will assist James Kahane, and work directly with the orchestra’s musicians and administrative staff. He’ll gain experience in rehearsal leadership, score prepping, artistic collaboration, and planning.
Charles Amoah and Keegan Thomas Hedley, the Conducting Apprentices will observe James Kahane as he works with the orchestra. They will be mentored, and learn from the administrative staff, as well as gaining experience in rehearsal leadership, score preparation and artistic collaboration and planning.
The conducting fellows and apprentices will begin their term at the Orchestra’s rehearsals for the 26-
27 Opening Night concert, and come back for the rehearsals and performance throughout the entire season.
Thomas Burton, Conductor Fellow & Assistant to the Music Director
Burton was raised in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. He is currently the Artistic Director of the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, Artistic Director of Durham Region’s RESOUND Choir, and Co-Conductor of the Halifax-based Borealis Chamber Choir. Thomas is also a member of the choral faculty at the University of Toronto. There, he instructs undergraduate choral conducting and directs the Faculty of Music’s Tenor/Bass choir. Burton has been noted for his innovative programming, and has become a sought after guest conductor, clinician, and educator.
Charles Amoah, Conductor Apprentice
Trombonist and conductor Charles Amoah is entering his third year of the Bachelor of Music program at Western University. He is also the founder and Artistic Director of the chamber brass ensemble Western Brass Brigade, which made its stage debut in March 2026. Along with his work in the musical field, Amoah serves as an Officer in the Cadet Instructors Cadre of the Canadian Armed Forces. For the past two years, Charles has served as an instructor and conductor for cadet summer military band courses at the Valcartier Cadet Training Centre.
Keegan Thomas Hedley, Conductor Apprentice
Bassoonist and conductor Keegan Thomas Hedley is based in Montréal, where he’s studying towards his Bachelor of Music in Orchestral Performance at the Schulich School of Music. As a musician, Hedley has performed regularly with regional ensembles throughout the Greater Toronto Area. As a conductor, Hedley frequently works with the musicians of the Schulich School of Music. He is a former actor, and has worked in the arts since the age of eight.
The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra 2026/27 Season
“The season reflects the immense ambitions of the Orchestra, inspired by the elements of our natural world,” says HPO Music Director James Kahane. “We invite you to a whirlwind of fiery emotions, and earthly and heavenly feelings, with some of the most acclaimed artists that the Orchestra has had the honour to bring to Hamilton.”
The season features appearances from Canadian virtuosos, including pianists Marc-André Hamelin and Jean Phillippe Sylvestre, violinist Jessica Linnebach, and cellist Rachel Mercer, along with guest artists from the Bayerische Staatsoper Opera Studio, and iconic Canadian fiddler Natalie MacMaster.
Here’s a look at the concerts and music at a glance.
Mainstage Concerts
Beethoven’s Sixth (October 3, 2026)
James S. Kahane, Conductor
Jessica Linnebach, Violin
The Program:
- Berlioz, Roman Carnival Overture
- Chausson, Poème for Violin and Orchestra
- Leo Purich (HPO Composer Fellow), New Work, World Premiere
- Beethoven, Symphony No. 6
Symphony in Space: The Ultimate Sci-Fi Concert (October 24, 2026)
Evan Mitchell, Conductor
The program includes music from iconic science fiction movies, including Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, E.T., Alien, Interstellar, Tron, Dune, Back to the Future, and more.
Schubert & Tchaikovsky (November 14, 2026)
James S. Kahane, Conductor
Rachel Mercer, Cello
The Program:
- Schubert, Symphony No. 8 “Unfinished”
- Dvořák, Silent Woods (Rachel Mercer, soloist)
- Bruch, Kol Nidrei (Rachel Mercer, soloist)
- Tchaikovsky, Souvenir de Florence (Strings)
Murdoch Mysteries: Sugar Plum Murdoch (December 12, 2026)
Lucas Waldin, Conductor
Murdoch Mysteries: In Concert comes to Hamilton for the first time, hosted by the star of the internationally successful hit CBC series. The concert features behind-the-scenes insights from composer Robert Carli, festive sing-alongs, along with a live orchestral performance of “Sugar Plum Murdoch” on the big screen.
Mendelssohn, Beethoven & Schumann (January 16, 2027)
James S. Kahane, Conductor
Marc-André Hamelin, Piano
The Program:
- Mendelssohn, A Midsummer Night’s Dream “Overture”
- Abigail Richardson-Schulte, Composer-in-Residence, New Work, World Premiere
- Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 2, (Marc-André Hamelin, soloist)
- Schumann, Symphony No. 1, “Spring”
Bizet’s Carmen in Concert (February 13, 2027)
James S. Kahane, Conductor
Bayerische Staatsoper Opera Studio, Guest Artists
The concert version of Bizet’s iconic opera Carmen comes to life on stage in a semi-staged production, sung by rising stars from the Bayerische Staatsoper Opera Studio, one of Europe’s most prestigious opera training programs.
Natalie MacMaster with the Hamilton Phil (March 6, 2027)
Rosemary Thomson, Conductor
Natalie MacMaster, Fiddle
Celtic music icon Natalie MacMaster comes together with the HPO, bringing the spirit of Cape Breton to the concert hall.
Sibelius & Saint-Saëns (April 17, 2027)
Simon Proust, Conductor
The Program:
- Sibelius, Wood Nymph
- Mozart, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
- Saint-Saëns, Carnival of the Animals
Prokofiev & Dvořák (May 15, 2027)
James S. Kahane, Conductor
Jean Phillippe Sylvestre, Piano
The Program:
- Borodin, In the Steppes of Central Asia
- Pépin, Un Monde Nouveau
- Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 3 (Jean Phillippe Sylvestre, soloist)
- Dvořák, Symphony No. 9 “New World”
Off-The-Mainstage Concerts
Handel’s Messiah (December 4 & December 6, 2026) at St Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church
James S. Kahane, Conductor
Co-presentation with Bach Elgar Choir
The HPO and the Bach Elgar Choir come together for Handel’s monumental Messiah, a longstanding holiday tradition.
Intimate & Immersive (April 1, 2027) at The Cotton Factory
James S. Kahane, Conductor
The historic Cotton Factory loft is the setting for this immersive experience, including multimedia art installations that will be custom-made to enhance the program.
- Subscriptions are now available, and single tickets go on sale on June 30, 2026. Find details of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2026/27 season [HERE].
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