We lift our voices in song as ONE community.
Buffalo United Community Choir (BUCC) was founded in January 2023 by the BPO Diversity Council with a powerful mission: to unite the Buffalo-Niagara region through the transformative power of music. Drawing voices from across the area, this dynamic 100+ member choir brings together individuals from more than 50 local churches and organizations, embodying the strength, spirit, and diversity of the Buffalo community.
Under the artistic leadership of esteemed music directors Ella E. Robinson, Karen Saxon, and George Brown, BUCC made its debut at Buffalo United for Black History at First Shiloh Baptist Church. Since then, the choir has delivered stirring performances, including a featured appearance at the May 14th Remembrance event at the Johnnie B. Wiley Sports Pavilion, the national anthem at the Buffalo Bills last home game in the old stadium and collaborative performances with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at Kleinhans Music Hall and throughout the region.
Participating churches and organizations include:
Agape African Methodist Episcopal Church
Antioch Church of God in Christ
Bethel AME Church
Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church
Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus
Calvary Baptist Church
Canaan Baptist Church of Christ
Cedar Grove Baptist Church
Chapel at Crosspoint
Cold Spring Free Spirit Church
Community Music School
Elim Christian Fellowship Church
Emmanuel Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church
Ephesus Ministries
Evangelistic Temple Church of God
Faith Missionary Baptist Church
First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
First Shiloh Baptist Church
Free Spirit Missionary Baptist Church
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
God’s Purchase Choir
Greater Hope Baptist Church
Greater Refuge Temple of Christ
Hopewell Baptist Church
Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church
Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church
Love Alive Fellowship Church
Lutheran Church of Our Savior
Midtown Bible Church
Miracle Missions Full Gospel Church
Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Buffalo
Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Lackawanna
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church
New Beginning Choral Ensemble
New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ
Orchard Park Presbyterian Church
Our Savior Lutheran Church
Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church
Refuge Temple Church of God
Second Baptist Church, Buffalo
Second Baptist Church, Lackawanna
Soul Saving Revival Center
St. Bernadette Catholic Church, Orchard Park
St. Columba-Brigid Catholic Church
St. Joseph University Parish
St. Luke AME Zion Church
St. Martin de Porres R.C. Church
True Bethel Baptist Church
Villa Maria College
Word of Life Ministries, Niagara Falls
Zion Dominion Global Ministries, Amherst
Auditions
Auditions to join the choir for 2026 are now closed. To be put on the information list for 2027 auditions, please send an email to rparkinson@bpo.org.
Gospel Symphony Celebration: Richard Smallwood Tribute
Friday, October 16, 2026 @7:30pm
Kleinhans Music Hall
The BPO and BUCC honor the legendary Gospel Hall of Fame composer, pianist, and choir leader who bridged traditional church music, classical orchestral training, and contemporary R&B, exemplified by his modern-day hymn, Total Praise.
Audition for soloists for this concert will take place (open to BUCC members and the greater community):
Monday, August 31, 7:00pm @ St. Martin de Porres Church
We will be auditioning for the following selections:
Anthem of Praise – 1 male, 2 females
Angels – 2 females
Calvary – 2 females
That Name – 1 female
Coronation – 1 male, 1 female
Bless the Lord – 1 male
Holy Thou Art God – 1 female
If you would like to audition please make a reservation here: