The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, under the direction of Music Director Dr. Adam Luebke, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the Western New York region and beyond through the performance of high-quality, diverse musical programs and developing singers in the choral arts through independent programming and artistic partnerships. The BPC is the winner of the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance for their recording of Richard Danielpour's The Passion of Yeshua with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor JoAnn Falletta. The Chorus is frequently heard as the principal guest chorus of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Chorus was founded by Jessamine Long as the Buffalo Schola Cantorum in 1937. Artistic leadership has included such noteworthy musicians as Cameron Baird and the 22-year leadership of Thomas Swan. In 1992, the Chorus was renamed to reflect its mission more accurately to the community. With a roster of over 140 singers, the Chorus makes appearances throughout the region and produces self-sponsored concerts, including annual performances of Handel’s Messiah.
Recent collaborators include the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Niagara Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo-Niagara Concert Band, Buffalo Chamber Players, SUNY Fredonia School of Music, and more. Recent performance venues include Chautauqua Institution, ArtPark, Temple Beth Zion, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Our Lady of Victory Basilica and Shrine, and Asbury Hall, a downtown Buffalo multi-arts venue in a repurposed 1870s Gothic Revival church, where the BPC is a member of the Asbury Arts Collaborative. The Chorus performs annually at events throughout the community, BPO Classics and Pops performances, and more!
Visit BPChorus.org to learn about the Chorus and our 2024-2025 Season, Lyrics of Life, which includes a collaborative concert with Buffalo Poet Laureate Jillian Hanesworth, Western New York’s Holiday Tradition: Handel’s Messiah, and the World Premiere of Lee Hoiby’s A Whitman Symphony.