The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra is thrilled to welcome Dr. Armand Hall as conductor for the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s 2026-2027 season. Hall initially joined the HPYO as conductor for the Fall 2025 term.
“We are thrilled to welcome Conductor Armand Hall to the HPYO,” said HPO Executive Director Kim Varian. “Under his leadership the HPYO will continue nurturing not only exceptional musicians, but also thoughtful, engaged leaders, equipping them with skills that extend well beyond the stage.”
In the 26-27 season, Hall will be the primary conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra, the HPYO’s more advanced ensemble, with General Manager Megan Benjafield continuing as conductor of the Concert Orchestra for young musicians newer to the orchestral setting.
Hall will support HPYO auditions for the 26-27 season. Video-submission auditions are due June 11, and in-person auditions take place on June 13. Late applications will be accepted by video submission only for any remaining seats in the ensembles until the third rehearsal of each term.
ABOUT ARMAND HALL
A conductor, clarinetist and educator, Dr. Armand Hall is the Director of Programs for the Gateways Music Festival and a faculty member at the Eastman School of Music teaching courses in the Art Leadership and Music, Teaching, and Learning departments. He is formerly the Executive and Artistic Director of ROCmusic Collaborative, an El Sistema-inspired community-based, free music learning program in Rochester, New York. Hall served as the conductor for the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in the Fall of 2025 before signing on as conductor for the 26-27 Season.
Prior to ROCmusic, Hall was Associate Director of Bands and Coordinator of Instrumental Music Education at the University of Memphis and, prior to that, as a middle and high school band director in the state of Michigan. Hall is the immediate past board chair of El Sistema USA and served on the boards of the Archipelago Project and the Rochester Youth Philhamonic.
Hall earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from the University of Michigan and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting from Michigan State University. He, along with his partner Dr. Leah McGray, co-conducts the Roads Less Travelled Ensemble, a contemporary music ensemble focused on platforming new works, many by underrepresented populations, and designing audience-focused concert experiences.
About the HPYO: Founded by Glenn Mallory in 1965, the HPYO has given the joy of orchestral music to generations of young people and has delighted thousands of audience members. This student-based symphony orchestra is the flagship education program of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Graduates of the orchestra are involved in professional and community orchestras across Canada, in the United States and in Europe. In addition to performing regular local concerts, the orchestra has performed as far afield as Banff, Moosonee, New York City’s Carnegie Hall, Huntsville, Alabama and Northampton, England. The HPYO continues Dr. Mallory’s legacy of extraordinary music education.
About the HPO: For over 140 years, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has presented orchestral music and education programs with a mission to enrich the wellbeing of the greater Hamilton region. The HPO presents dynamic orchestral performances ranging from standard classical repertoire to popular music and world premieres by living composers. As one of Canada’s leading professional orchestras, the HPO has proudly contributed to the shaping of Hamilton’s cultural landscape.
HPO Media Contact:
Megan Nourse
Marketing & Strategic Initiatives Manager 289-216-8273
mnourse@hpo.org