efore organizing the Greater Canton Men's Chorus, the late Bill Hamilton spent 35 years teaching and conducting music - beginning as Director of Choral Music and Drama at the former Glenwood High School in Canton followed by 22 years as Associate Professor of Music at Kent State University, Stark Campus. He also conducted the Canton Civic Opera for 22 years as well as various church choirs in the Stark county area.

With a Bachelors of Music Degree from Heidelberg College and a Masters of Education Degree from Kent State University, Bill was an active member of the American Choral Directors Association and served as an adjudicator for many national and international competitions.

Bill retired from the Directorship of the Greater Canton Men's Chorus during the summer of 2006.

He looked forward to travelling and spending more time with his wife, Nancy. Not long afterward, on January 15, 2007, the chorus and the surrounding community was shocked to learn of Bill's passing.

The Greater Canton Men's Chorus has lost not only a good friend, but a real pioneer of vocal music in the Stark County community and beyond. However, Bill's legacy is firmly in place as the Greater Canton Men's Chorus continues his tradition of "Singing for the Joy of the Song."