The BPO, with the guidance of the Diversity Council, commits to the following specific goals to promote Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access:
- To feature artists of color (soloists, conductors, composers) annually in our concert offerings whether it be Classics, Pops, Family, Rock, Education and/or Community Engagement concerts.
- To create programs tied to community events and history that are relevant to diverse audiences, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Hispanic Heritage Month.
- To establish partnerships with diverse organizations and colleagues and collaborate with them on programs relevant to our community.
- To support music education in underserved areas and encourage broad participation in music programs.
- To seek diversity at all levels of the organization including board, staff, volunteers and the orchestra itself.
26-27 Featured Programs
September
- Vocalist Alexandra McArthur sings Gershwin’s best-known songs on S’Wonderful Gershwin (Sep 25 & 26)
October
- 4th Annual Festival Encanto Hispano in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY (Oct 3)
- Disney’s Coco in Concert Live to Film celebrating the Day of the Dead (Oct 3)
- A Gospel Tribute to Richard Smallwood conducted by Jonathan Taylor Rush, with the Buffalo United Community Choir (Oct 16)
- Music for Youth Concerts with conductor Grant O’Brien, presented to students in grades 1-6 from Buffalo Public Schools. Featuring works by Soon Hee Newbold and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
November
- Xavier Foley Double Bass Masterclass for local young musicians (Nov 20)
- Vaughan Williams and Double Bass featuring soloist and composer Xavier Foley performing his own Soul Bass Concerto (Nov 21 & 22)
- Annual holiday concert at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf (Nov 24)
December
- Exceptional Holiday Concerts presented for listeners with special needs (Dec 1 & 2)
January
- Mozart + Melissa White, featuring violinist Melissa White (Jan 23 & 24)
- Sphinx Orchestral Partner Auditions in Detroit, MI
- Annual East Side church collaborations in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February
- Annual East Side church collaborations in honor of Black History Month
- Collaborative concert with the Buffalo United Community Choir and the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus at First Shiloh Baptist Church (Feb 6)
- Let’s Misbehave Pops concert celebrating Cole Porter and featuring tap dancer John Manzari (Feb 12 & 13)
- Music of the Knights with Grant O’Brien on the podium (Feb 27)
- BPO Youth Concerts, featuring conductor Grant O’Brien, presented to students from Buffalo Public Schools
March
- BPO Youth Concerts, featuring conductor Grant O’Brien, presented to students from Buffalo Public Schools
- West Side Connection for Buffalo Public Schools featuring Sphinx Competition winner Allette Williams (Mar 3)
April
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Stevie Wonder featuring vocalist Gavin Hope (Apr 16)
- Sorcerer’s Spell featuring the world premiere of Iman Habibi’s Violin Concerto (Apr 24 & 25)
- Side by Side, featuring students of Buffalo Public Schools’ Academy for Visual and Performing Arts (Apr 27)
May & June
- Heroes and Villains family concert, conducted by Grant O’Brien (May 2)
- Pianist Clayton Stephenson is featured on Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 (Jun 4) and on Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy (Jun 5)
- The BPO Diversity Council’s annual fundraiser, Opening Doors, raises awareness and funds for IDEA initiatives at the BPO, and presents the annual IDEA Awards (Jun 17)
Our Commitment
We believe that access to the power of music is the right of every individual. Music is a unifier. Its deep and compelling impact moves across generations, cultures, genders and socio-economic classes.
Our Actions
We aim to align our actions with our goals and track our intentional progress towards a more inclusive organization.
BPO Diversity Council
Formed in 2016, the BPO Diversity Council is comprised of community leaders, BPO staff, and musicians, and helps the BPO foster greater inclusion, diversity, equity and access within the organization and the classical music world.