The Hamilton-Gibson Treble Choir will officially begin their 32st Season on August 11 at a special kick-off rehearsal at Three Springs Ministries in Nauvoo (between Morris and Liberty.) 

Registration for the choirs is now open and all singers from grades 2-8 are encouraged to sign up. Opportunities include the Treble Choir featuring singers from grades 5-8 and the Choir Too, the training choir for children in grades 2-4 or those who are still working on their singing voice. Enrollment is open to all children, and typically includes students from all three school districts, private schools, and home-schooled children. 

Each choir meets once a week and performs an autumn concert, a holiday concert, and a spring concert. The choirs also perform for local civic and church groups and join with other choirs for joint concerts. Touring began early in the HG Choir history and since then the choirs have toured in Washington D.C., New York City (joining with the Newark Boy’s Choir), Toronto (joining with the Hamilton, Ontario Children’s Choir; who then came to Tioga County for a joint concert the following year.) The choirs also toured Prague in the Czech Republic, and Brazil, and completed a never-before-attempted plan to sing in all the counties in Pennsylvania. One of the highlights of the Philly tour being the invitation to sing the National Anthem at a Phillies game in front of over 40,000 people. Recently, the Treble Choir toured Yorkshire England, singing in numerous places—planned and unplanned—including a 1000-year-old church!

Rehearsals are Tuesdays after school at First Presbyterian Church of Wellsboro and begin August 18. Since 2001, the choirs have performed the National Anthem at the Little League World Series in Williamsport. This year the date is Saturday, August 22 at the 3pm game. All singers in the Treble Choir (grades 5-8)—including new singers—can perform the National Anthem. Attendance at the August 11 all day kick-off rehearsal as well as the rehearsal on August 18 is mandatory for participation in this event.

There has been a renewed interest in reviving the HG Youth Choir for singers in grades 8-12. Consideration of this possibility will depend on the numbers of interested boys and girls. This choir would be open to all singers within driving distance who would commit to the weekly rehearsals and concerts.

There is no tuition cost for participation (except a $40 registration fee) due to gifts from local citizens who are committed to offering a quality community choral experience for local students. Choir fundraisers (primarily a poinsettia sale every winter) help to keep costs low. Parents are expected to help with the fundraisers. 

David Wert, HG board member and public school music teacher says: “I have watched for years as the Hamilton-Gibson choirs have given children of various backgrounds the opportunity to feel at home making meaningful music. They then take that love of music on the road giving kids the chance to connect with the world and fellow musicians within it.” 

Dr. Peggy Detwiler, recently retired Director of Choral Activities at Commonwealth University-Mansfield from the Mansfield University choral music department, has worked with the choir program in a number of capacities. She has spent many individual rehearsals with the groups over the years. Dr. Detwiler invited the choirs to perform at MU choir concerts, and arranged for the children’s choir to be the choir-in-residence at the 2002 Pennsylvania American Choral Directors’ Conference at Penn State with the renowned Jean Ashworth Bartle as the clinician.

“The Hamilton-Gibson Children and Youth Choir is recognized as one of the finest children’s choirs in the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania,” stated Dr. Detwiler. “They have sung for special events here at Mansfield University and have always presented themselves in a very professional manner. They sing great literature with beautiful choral tone. Thomas Putnam is an inspiring leader who has taken the group all over the world. I recommend any child who loves to sing to join this choir.” For more information and to obtain registration forms, call the HG office at 570-724-2079, email thomas@hamiltongibson, or visit the HG website at hamiltongibson.org/youth-choir