From World Travel to Forest Falls

Explore the Story Further

To learn more about Terry William Hamilton’s work and the legacy of the Southern California Youth Chorale, you can explore the film and book below:

Watch the Film: Song of the Open Road - The Story of the Southern California Youth Chorale

About The Film:

SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD: The Story of the Southern California Youth Chorale

• Home - Song of the Open Road

• Cast & Crew

• Photo Gallery

• Screen Shots

• Fun Facts

• Thru The Years

• Leadership

• Inspirations

Purchase the Book, An Experience That Lasted a Lifetime:

For many young people, travel is an opportunity. For some, it becomes a turning point.

For Terry William Hamilton, his experience with the Southern California Youth Chorale became something far more lasting, shaping not only how he saw the world, but who he would become.

Hamilton joined the chorale in 1968 at the age of 18, becoming one of the first in his extended family to travel outside the United States. What began as an exciting opportunity quickly expanded into something deeper. Touring internationally exposed him to new cultures, languages, and ways of life that challenged and broadened his perspective.

At the time, the experience felt almost surreal, what he once described as “like Disneyland for adults,” with each country offering something new and unfamiliar. But over time, the meaning of those experiences evolved.

One of the most defining moments came during a 1973 trip to the Soviet Union. While the group was welcomed, the contrast in daily life was striking. Sparse grocery stores, limited resources, and tightly controlled interactions revealed a reality far different from what many of the students had known.

The impact of that experience became clear when it was time to leave. Faced with unexpected demands for cash in order to depart the country, the group found themselves in a situation that highlighted the stark differences between systems of freedom and control. Upon returning to the United States, the emotional weight of that moment was undeniable, the group broke into song as they landed, a spontaneous expression of relief and gratitude.

Experiences like these left a lasting impression, not just as memories, but as foundational moments that shaped identity and worldview.

Central to that experience was the influence of chorale director K. Gene Simmonds. More than a teacher, Simmonds became a guiding figure for many of the students. For Hamilton, who lost his father at a young age, that influence carried a deeper personal significance.

Simmonds’ leadership was not rooted in authority, but in inspiration. He recognized potential in his students and challenged them to grow, creating an environment that extended far beyond music. His impact continued long after the chorale years ended, as relationships evolved into mentorship and lasting friendship.

Years later, Hamilton felt compelled to preserve that story.

After retiring from a career in education, he began collecting photographs, film footage, and personal accounts from former chorale members. That effort led to the creation of a documentary film, for which he served as executive producer, as well as a book that reflects both the collective experience and his own personal journey.

The film, developed through a collaborative process, draws from decades of preserved material and firsthand accounts. The book, written afterward, offers a more personal perspective, combining storytelling with visual history to capture the essence of the experience.

Together, these works serve as both documentation and reflection, honoring the legacy of the chorale while also exploring the deeper impact it had on those involved.

Today, Hamilton’s life looks very different from those early years of international travel. After growing up in Pasadena and Newport Beach and spending much of his career in education, he now lives in Forest Falls.

The connection to the area began decades earlier through visits with friends, eventually becoming a place that stayed with him over time. Years later, that connection became permanent.

The contrast is striking, from global travel to the quiet pace of mountain life, but the thread that connects it all remains the same, reflection shaped by experience. And the lasting influence of being part of something that reached far beyond the moment.

For Mr. Hamilton, the message is clear. Discover what you are passionate about, pursue it fully, and step beyond what is familiar whenever the opportunity arises.

Because some experiences do more than shape a moment. They shape a lifetime.

The lasting impact of the Southern California Youth Chorale through the story of Terry William Hamilton.

Terry William Hamilton toured internationally with the Southern California Youth Chorale four times between 1968 and 1973, performing in countries including Germany, France, England, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Wales, and Russia. During high school, he also performed the lead role in Damn Yankees.

After earning a Master’s degree in Educational Management from the University of La Verne, Terry spent most of his career as an elementary school teacher. He later became the historian and curator for SCYC/Musical Americans.

Terry has also been involved in advocacy work, including early efforts that contributed to the overturning of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the advancement of marriage equality. In addition, he serves as Social Media Administrator for the Pacific Electric Railway Historical Society and the Mount Lowe Preservation Society.

He is married to John Ruble, whom he met in 1971.

About the Author

An Experience That Lasted a Lifetime