Welcome to Kleinhans Music Hall! With our 2025–26 season well underway, we hope to brighten your autumn with music across eras—from Romantic 19th-century treasures to signature works of the 20th and 21st centuries, plus a cherished film score that continues to captivate today.
Our two-weekend Beethoven Festival (Oct 17–Oct 25) begins with concertmaster Nikki Chooi stepping into the spotlight for Beethoven’s monumental Violin Concerto in D major; Verdi’s dramatic Overture to La forza del destino; and Tchaikovsky’s impassioned Francesca da Rimini. The festival continues the following weekend in a program that pairs Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony with Debussy’s evocative Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and Buffalo-native composer Robert Paterson’s Triple Concerto, “Summit”—featuring Nikki Chooi, principal cellist Roman Mekinulov, and New York Philharmonic pianist Eric Huebner, who also serves as chair of the Department of Music at the University at Buffalo.
To delight audiences of all ages, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial lands Halloween weekend in a special screening, with the BPO performing John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score live as the film is projected above the stage. Then into November, the Classics Series continues with Mahler & Mahler, showcasing the emotional breadth of not only Gustav Mahler’s works but also those of his wife, Alma. Soprano Andrea Bickford joins the orchestra to perform Alma’s expressive Lieder (German art songs), while Gustav’s Symphony No. 1 offers a sweeping finale under JoAnn Falletta’s baton.
We’re thrilled to have you with us to share in these wonderful musical experiences. If you are not already a subscriber, we encourage you to join the BPO family and enjoy the best value and benefits throughout the season. You can find the full 2025–26 concert schedule at bpo.org to discover upcoming performances that are sure to uplift and inspire you.
Your presence sustains the music that enriches our community and keeps our orchestra’s legacy vibrant for future generations. Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Scott R. Stenclik
Chair, Board of Trustees
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc.
Officers
Scott Stenclik, Chair
John Yurtchuk, Vice Chair – Chair Elect
Karen Sperrazza, Vice Chair
John Zak, Treasurer
William Keefer, Secretary
Board of Trustees
Cindy Abbott Letro
Karen Arrison*
Jonathan Borden †
Anne Conable
Stephen B. Edge, MD*
JoAnn Falletta*
Brenda Feldstein
Nickole Garrison
Daniel Hart*
Mark Hodges †
Kate Holzemer †
Matt Low
Ronald Luczak
Roman Mekinulov †
Kyle Morgan
Erin Peradotto Terhaar
Corinne Rice
Lynne Ruda*
Rev. Melody I. Rutherford
Diana Sachs †
Ricardo Saeb
Karen Saxon
Robin G. Schulze, Ph.D
Christine Standish
David Stark
Rev. Jonathan Staples
Henry Ward †
Tracy S. Woodrow
* ex-officio
† musician representative
Life Members
Anthony Cassetta
Randall Odza
John N. Walsh III
Robert G. Weber
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation Board of Directors
Karen Arrison, Chair
Holly Hejmowski, Treasurer
Aleks Spellman, Secretary
Thomas Emmerling
Michael Munschauer
Lisa L. Smith
John Yurtchuk
Administration
Daniel Hart
President & Executive Director
Diana Martinusek
Executive Assistant
Development
Jennifer Barbee
Associate Executive Director & Vice President, Development
Mindy Takacs
Director of Development
Jacqueline Chagnon
Donor Relations Manager
Franziska Macur
Annual Fund & Grants Manager
Carson Mannino
Special Events & Project Coordinator
Jordan Walker
Prospect Research & Development Operations Manager
Lindsey Roth
Development Assistant
Finance
Kevin James
Vice President, Finance & Administration
Nicole M. Bodemer
Director of Finance
Jacqueline Henry
Finance/Accounts Payable Associate
Deborah Cammarano
Payroll & HR/Benefits Administrator
Andrea Bickford
Finance Assistant
Education & Community Engagement
Robin Parkinson
Vice President, Education & Community Engagement
Rachael Pudlewski
Associate Director of Education
Marketing
Travis Estes
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
AndréeRenée Simpson
Marketing Manager
Kelcie Rose
Digital Marketing Manager
Cary Michael Trout
Design Services & Branding Manager
Simone Viola
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Sales & Patron Services
Adam Cady
Director of Patron Services
Laura Papit
Patron Services Manager
Patron Services Representatives
Anne Boucher
Ryan Fisher
Karen Kohlhagen
Maya LaMacchia-Beeny
Danielle Rennicks
Amy Sturmer
Operations
Jonathan Parrish
Vice President, Artistic & Orchestra Operations
Matt Hart
Orchestra Operations Manager
Sarah Abend-Fritz
Orchestra Personnel Manager
Juan Herrera
Operations Assistant
Kleinhans Music Hall
Jess Basil
General Manager
Brian Seibel
Event Manager
Jenifer Grasha
Audience Services Manager
Michael Cassidy
Chief Engineer
Dennis Nawojski
Concessions Manager
Lucas Parks
Parking & Set-Up Supervisor
IATSE Local 10 Production Crew
Christine Kramer
Master Property Manager
Wesley Krantz
Assistant Property Manager
Nicholas Kogut
Master Electrician & Master Video Engineer
Robert Hillman
Master Audio Engineer