Hamilton, ON : The Hamilton Children's Choir (HCC) announces the Chamber Choir has placed in the finals of the 2009 LET THE PEOPLES SING COMPETITION through the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), to be held October 18 ^th in Oslo, Norway. HCC will perform via satellite (audio only) from the CBC studios in Toronto.

"Let the Peoples Sing" is an international choral competition for amateur choirs (and radio stations) organised by the EBU. Today, the competition is held every other year.

The aim of the competition is threefold:

• to stimulate interest in choral music by amateur choirs
• to promote the EBU's role in the organization of major radio musical events
• to provide participating Members with programmes of choral music

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), founded in 1950, is the largest association of national broadcasters in the world with a mandate to promote cooperation between broadcasters and facilitate the exchange of audiovisual content. "It is quite an honour to be placed in the finals - and one well deserved" states Neil Crory, Senior Music Producer of the CBC Radio Music Department.

For more than 30 years, the Hamilton Children's Choir has gathered children together in song, enriching their lives and the lives of those touched by their magnificent music.

Under the guidance of gifted artistic staff, HCC offers young people, from Hamilton and surrounding regions, aged 5 to 25 years, the unique opportunity to learn and grow through the study of choral music. Choristers experience the joys of singing, teamwork, musical understanding and artistic expression. They share their musical gift with concerts and performances locally, nationally and internationally.

Winners of the 2008 CBC/Radio-Canada National Radio Competition for Amateur Choir, GRAND PRIZE, Cantabile Award, for best performing choir, the Chamber Choir has previously toured in Poland and Spain. Locally, HCC Choirs/Choristers have performed with Celine Dion at the Juno Awards, Opera Hamilton, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hamilton Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bach Elgar Choir, Chorus Niagara, High Park Choirs and The Canadian Male Orpheus Male Choir. In addition our choirs have performed at special events/venues such as the HAIDA celebration, Ivor Wynne STADIUM, the Skydome, and "Ontario Sings".