Founded by Ellen Ambrose in 1889, the Duet Club of Hamilton is the oldest women’s musical club in Canada. Ellen taught at Kingsthorpe School where she would have her students play piano duets when too shy to perform solos. Duet Club meetings have been held through the years in the Carey Piano Warerooms, the Hamilton Conservatory of Music, Dalewood School, Hamilton Place, and currently are in Melrose United Church, where our Steinway grand piano resides, that Vladimir Horowitz selected for us, travelling from New York City to be its first performer.

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 provides nine piano, vocal, and instrumental scholarships for first class Conservatory students. Each deserving student has the opportunity to perform for a knowledgeable and talented audience: the Duet Club members.

The Duet Club raises funds for the scholarships through donations, membership fees, and through fund-raising events, such as our annual dessert and card party.

The Duet club also includes a SSAA women’s chorus that sings in various venues throughout the Hamilton area. Practices are Wednesday mornings, 9:30 to 11 am. We invite you to join us in making “Music for the Joy of It”.