HAMILTON, ON, March 4, 2026 — The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO) welcomes elementary and secondary students to FirstOntario Concert Hall on Tuesday, March 24 for this season’s education concert: The Spirit Horse Returns! With two performances at 9:30am and 12:30pm, more than 2500 students will experience this moving musical tale about Ojibwe Horses and their stories, their roles as traditional helpers and spirit guides, and the evolution of their relationships with Indigenous and settler communities. After an unforgettably touching performance of this work in the 22-23 concert season, the HPO is thrilled to share this meaningful contemporary masterpiece with Hamilton’s youth. 


The Spirit Horse Returns tells the story of a symphony horn player and an Indigenous friend who travel through time and across North America to learn about a group of small horses that embody the importance of taking care of each other and the land we share. The orchestral work, composed by Kevin Lau and Andrew Balfour, incorporates original English and Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) songs written and performed by Jodi Contin, set against stunning paintings and photography by artist Rhonda Snow and horn player Ken MacDonald. The story was created by Ken MacDonald (former HPO Principal Horn from 1997 to 2014), Rhonda Snow and Jodi Contin, inspired by a shared love of Ojibwe horses and dedication to their conservation. 

“In preparation for this education concert, the HPO connected with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board’s Indigenous Education Department to ensure that local Indigenous voices were represented and honoured in our presentation of this truly impactful work,” said Megan Benjafield, HPO Education Manager. “In collaboration, an advisory committee was formed that includes a local elder, HWDSB Indigenous Education Consultants, an HWDSB Arts Consultant, members of The Spirit Horse Returns creative team, and myself as the representative for the HPO. Together, we worked to craft a locally developed supplemental educational package and professional development resources for teachers attending the concert.” 

In addition, the Teacher Resource Package from the team at The Spirit Horse Returns offers significant curricular connections include lessons about orchestral instruments, Indigenous Woodland artwork and songs that can be learned in the classroom, Truth and Reconciliation resources and more.  

“Guided by Indigenous knowledge and grounded in relationship-building, the collaboration supports meaningful student engagement and reflects a shared commitment to reconciliation and culturally responsive arts education.” said a representative of the HWDSB. 

Tickets are $15 with complimentary chaperone tickets at a ratio of one per 10 students. Schools can register for tickets by contacting HPO Music Education and HPYO Manager Megan Benjafield at mbenjafield@hpo.org. A select number of tickets for community members are available for purchase at hpo.org. 

The Spirit Horse Returns Education Concert 
March 24, 2026 at 9:30am and 12:30pm 
FirstOntario Concert Hall 
1 Summers Ln., Hamilton, ON, L8P 4Y2 

 
About the HPO: For 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