Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus Begins its 2026-2027 Season: “Da Capo”

BUFFALO, NY – August 2026 – The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus (BPC), Western New York's premier symphonic chorus and winner of the 2020 GRAMMY® Award for Best Choral Performance, is proud to announce the beginning of its 2026-2027 season: DA CAPO, the first with recently appointed Music Director Dr. Vernon Huff. Dr. Huff, the Director of Choral Activities at SUNY Fredonia, has led choirs to national and international acclaim, and brings more than 20 years of experience to the role. His career as a choral director has earned him 2 runner-up placements for the American Prize in Choral Performance, and concert performances across much of the U.S. and Europe. 

The BPC in Concert: 

• MESSIAH – Continuing a beloved Western New York holiday tradition, this performance features members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) and soloists
  Friday, December 4, 2026 at 7:30 PM, Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica; Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 2:30 PM, St. Joseph University Parish
• UNITED WE SING – The BPC is proud of its commitment to building community, which is why we are excited to announce a pay-what-you-will celebration of togetherness this February in collaboration with the Buffalo United Community Choir. Music from diverse traditions- and over 200 singers- will come together to foster a truly unique experience.
  Saturday, February 6, 2027 at 2:30 PM, Location To Be Announced
• MASS IN BLUE – A concert in two parts, featuring “Mass in Blue,” the groundbreaking jazz composition by British composer Will Todd, and “Mass: A Celebration of Love and Joy,” by André Thomas. The BPC looks forward to presenting the concert, in a first for the organization, at UB’s Slee Hall.
  Saturday, March 13, 2027 at 2:30 PM, Lippes Concert Hall at Slee Hall

Guest Appearances:

• FRANCIS: A New Oratorio – The BPC and BPO are thrilled for the world premiere of this composition, inspired by the life of St. Francis of Assisi, on the 800th anniversary of his death. The performance will be led by conductor JoAnn Faletta and feature Claudia Christian as narrator. 
• JoAnn’s Classical Christmas and Holiday Pops – The BPO will continue its longstanding holiday tradition with two concerts featuring music for the season.
• Sorcerer’s Spell  – The BPO will perform pieces by Ravel, Dukas, and Poulenc, and feature the world premiere of a violin concerto by Iman Habibi. The performance will include star violinist Nikki Chooi and soprano Hailey Clark.
• Patriotic Pops – An annual tribute to the American spirit, and to the men and women who have fought and died for this country.
• Beethoven in Retrospect II – Michael Stern, conductor, and Clayton Stephenson, pianist, bring Beethoven’s ideals to life in this performance of the Eroica Symphony and other classics in recognition of the 200th anniversary of his death.

From the musical term for “from the top,” Da Capo is all about new beginnings. We look forward to reimagining our history with a fresh perspective from Vernon Huff, and to offering our listeners and our community a chance to share in that with us. In addition to our signature performance of MESSIAH, we are proud to highlight new beginnings for both music and musicians through our Aspiring Voices program, the world premiere of FRANCIS: A New Oratorio, and the launching of the BPC’s MASS IN BLUE at UB’s Slee Hall in an organizational all-time first.

Founded 1937, the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus is committed to providing the highest quality performances of choral music to the Western New York community. As a nonprofit symphonic chorus, our 130 volunteer and professional singers serve both as an independent performing ensemble and as the primary choral partner of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. 

For more information about the upcoming season or to arrange interviews, please contact: 

Riley Nahlik

Assistant Director of Administration and Operations 

operations@bpchorus.org 

(716) 464-2776

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