North End West in Hamilton, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Ellen Ambrose and the Duet Club of Hamilton

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 26, 2024

1. Ellen Ambrose and the Duet Club of Hamilton Marker

Inscription.

Ellen Ambrose and the Duet Club of Hamilton. . , "Oh no, my dear. I couldn't possibly give a solo before all the others. I really must refuse, I'm far too nervous.", Miss Ellen Sophia Ambrose founded the Haydn Duet Club in 1889 as a response to her piano students who were too shy to perform in public. Students thereafter performed Haydn symphonies arranged as duets. The Haydn Duet Club evolved into The Duet Club of Hamilton, Canada, the longest running women's musical group of its kind in Canada., Ellen Ambrose arrived in Hamilton in 1875 where her late grandfather Charles Ambrose and her uncle Robert Ambrose had established musical careers. Charles had come to Upper Canada in 1837 from Sussex, England. He became the first organist at Christ's Church Cathedral. Tutoring as well, Charles provided lessons at Dundurn Castle for the daughters of Sir Allan MacNab. Charles's son, Robert was musical director at the Church of the Ascension. Ellen began teaching music at the Wesleyan Ladies' College, where Robert had taught since 1864. In 1889, she taught at Chesnut's Ladies School before opening her own studio. As membership increased and more space was needed, the club moved to a hall over Carey's Piano Warerooms and later to the Hamilton Conservatory of Music., In 1916, the Duet Club began sponsorship of recitals by noted artists, including Gerald Moore, the Baroque Trio of Montreal, and Vladimir Horowitz. A Duet Club Chorus was founded in 1900 and continues todav. A Student Duet Club flourished from the 1920s-1970s. In 1940, the Ellen Ambrose Memorial Scholarship was established, and the club now offers many scholarships and recital opportunities for young performers. Initially the club was only open to women, but associate membership included men by 1910. Today, membership is open to all who value and promote the three founding principles of the club (top left). The spirit of Ellen Ambrose lives on, contributing to the rich musical history of Hamilton. Duet Club members have the joy of enriching Hamilton's musical environment in the present and for the future.

"Oh no, my dear. I couldn't possibly give a solo before all the others. I really must refuse, I'm far too nervous."

Miss Ellen Sophia Ambrose founded the Haydn Duet Club in 1889 as a response to her piano students who were too shy to perform in public. Students thereafter performed Haydn symphonies arranged as duets. The Haydn Duet Club evolved into The Duet Club of Hamilton, Canada, the longest running women's musical group of its kind in Canada.

Ellen Ambrose arrived in Hamilton in 1875 where her late grandfather Charles Ambrose and her uncle Robert Ambrose had established musical careers. Charles had come to Upper Canada in 1837 from Sussex, England. He became the first organist at Christ's Church Cathedral. Tutoring as well, Charles provided lessons at Dundurn Castle for the daughters of Sir Allan MacNab. Charles's son, Robert was musical director at the Church of the Ascension. Ellen began teaching music at the Wesleyan Ladies' College, where Robert had taught since 1864. In 1889, she taught at Chesnut's Ladies School before opening her own studio. As membership increased and more space was needed, the club

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moved to a hall over Carey's Piano Warerooms and later to the Hamilton Conservatory of Music.

In 1916, the Duet Club began sponsorship of recitals by noted artists, including Gerald Moore, the Baroque Trio of Montreal, and Vladimir Horowitz. A Duet Club Chorus was founded in 1900 and continues todav. A Student Duet Club flourished from the 1920s-1970s. In 1940, the Ellen Ambrose Memorial Scholarship was established, and the club now offers many scholarships and recital opportunities for young performers. Initially the club was only open to women, but associate membership included men by 1910. Today, membership is open to all who value and promote the three founding principles of the club (top left). The spirit of Ellen Ambrose lives on, contributing to the rich musical history of Hamilton. Duet Club members have the joy of enriching Hamilton's musical environment in the present and for the future.

Erected 2019 by City of Hamilton.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 43° 16.608′ N, 79° 51.719′ W. Marker

Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 7, 2024

2. Ellen Ambrose and the Duet Club of Hamilton Marker

is in Hamilton, Ontario. It is in North End West. It is on Discovery Drive 0.2 kilometers north of Guise Street East, on the left when traveling north. The marker is on the Waterfront Trail, approx 150 metres west of Discovery Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 47 Discovery Drive, Hamilton ON L8L 8B4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe,

in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area,

and specifically in the Toronto Metropolitan Area.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Burlington Glass Works 1874 (approx. half a kilometer away); Leander Boat Club (approx. half a kilometer away); HMCS Haida - NCSM Haida (approx. half a kilometer away); HMCS Haida and the Tribal-Class Destroyers / Le NCSM Haida et les destroyers de classe Tribal

Ellen Ambrose and the Duet Club of Hamilton marker detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 26, 2024

3. Ellen Ambrose and the Duet Club of Hamilton marker detail

(approx. half a kilometer away); Ice-Fishing in Hamilton Harbour (approx. half a kilometer away); Grant’s Sail Loft (1869) (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s), 1940 to the Present (approx. 1.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.

Also see . . . The Duet Club Story.

The club’s community efforts cannot be overestimated. During World War I, all funds raised by public concerts were donated to the war effort. During WW II, the club staffed the local canteen for enlisted men every Saturday.

The Duet Club was very involved in bringing Community Concerts to Hamilton, aiding with the beginnings of the Bach-Elgar Choir, Kiwanis Music Festival, and Hamilton and Region Arts Council.

(Submitted on August 8, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Ellen Ambrose and the Duet Club of Hamilton marker photo detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 26, 2024

4. Ellen Ambrose and the Duet Club of Hamilton marker photo detail

Ellen Ambrose and the Duet Club of Hamilton marker photos detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 26, 2024

5. Ellen Ambrose and the Duet Club of Hamilton marker photos detail

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 8, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.