BPO Diversity Council IDEA Award

Honoring those in our community who create an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible environment in which music flourishes

The orchestral music world should reflect, and be accessible to our whole community. We seek to break down barriers for participation, especially for those who are underrepresented in the artform.

We recognize that we must all work together as a community to create an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment in which music flourishes.

To these ends, this award aims to recognize and lift up individuals and organizations in our local community who love any and all genres of orchestral music and embody the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) while promoting, supporting, and/or practicing this artform.

Honoring the recipients of the BPO Diversity Council IDEA Award

Come to the BPO Diversity Council’s annual Opening Doors event, taking place at Kleinhans Music Hall on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Awardees of the BPO Diversity Council IDEA Award will be honored in an event raising funds to promote inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in classical music. We hope to see you there!

2026 Awardees

Dr. Rick Fleming

Dr. Rick Fleming, Professor and Director of the Music Department at Buffalo State University, is honored for his decades of visionary leadership in cultivating an equitable and inclusive musical ecosystem in Western New York. A distinguished conductor holding a Ph.D. from Florida State University, Dr. Fleming has consistently utilized his platform to elevate the works of underrepresented composers, champion diverse student ensembles, and dismantle barriers for young musicians from historically marginalized communities. His most notable grassroots impact includes his long-standing leadership of an affordable, culturally responsive Summer Music Camp for High School Students, providing a crucial pathway for local youth to experience high-level ensemble performance and envision themselves as future music majors. Dr. Fleming’s deep collaborations across Buffalo’s schools, churches, and civic organizations have expanded access to transformative arts education far beyond the university campus. Through his tireless mentorship of students who now serve as regional educators and cultural leaders, Dr. Fleming embodies the core of the IDEA Award by proving that talent—not financial means—should always determine who gets to make music.

Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus

The Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) is recognized for its profound commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community through the power of vocal music. Beyond their rich tradition of high-quality choral performance, the BGMC serves as a vital advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, frequently appearing at regional Pride events and collaborating with local sports organizations like the Buffalo Sabres and Bisons to increase visibility and representation. Their innovative musical spirit was on full display in their recent performance of “Born This Way,” which seamlessly integrated orchestral masterworks by Mozart and Rossini with contemporary voices from local high schools. By championing works by women and people of color and bridging disparate musical genres, the BGMC exemplifies how artistry can unite a community across all boundaries.