Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra extends JoAnn Falletta’s contract as Music Director through 2029
Falletta to lead BPO in 30th concert season as Music Director
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc. Board of Trustees is thrilled to announce a three-
year contract extension for Music Director JoAnn Falletta, unanimously approved at their March
meeting. This extension takes effect when Falletta’s current term concludes at the end of the 2025-26
concert season, ensuring her leadership through the 2028-29 season. With this extension, Falletta
will mark her 30th anniversary at the helm of the BPO in 2029.
Since becoming Music Director in 1999 as the first woman to lead a major American orchestra,
Falletta has elevated the orchestra’s national and international stature, steered it through periods of
growth and challenge, and helped define Buffalo as a cultural destination. Reflecting on Falletta’s
visionary leadership, Board Chair Scott Stenclik remarked, “JoAnn is a treasure not only of the BPO,
but of all of Buffalo Niagara. Her stewardship since joining the BPO has been stellar, and her
continued association positions the orchestra for greater artistic achievement and community impact.”
Falletta shared her perspective: “It is amazing how one step forward in 1999 developed into a musical
journey that is so deeply fascinating, enriching and beautiful. My time with the BPO is the most
artistically satisfying period of my life, and living in this city and region is a joy. The musicians, the
Board, my brilliant colleague Dan Hart and the staff have been a dream team, continuously raising
our standard of excellence and celebrating the incredible community we love.”
Pointing to the foundation that has made this journey possible, Falletta added, “The sustaining fabric
of our work in Buffalo is the love of the people of this region, and the devotion of the extraordinary
musicians who have come from all over the world to join our Buffalo Philharmonic and to work
together to share great music for all people, in our city and beyond. It is truly an honor and the
greatest joy to see the development and growth of an orchestra whose artistic level, imagination and
character shine as a beacon of excellence in our country.”
Throughout her tenure, Falletta has established herself and the BPO as cultural pillars of Western
New York, forging a powerful legacy of musical excellence, innovation, and collaboration for the
orchestra and the region through countless accomplishments and initiatives:
Artistic Excellence and Innovation
- Premiering over 20 new orchestral works with the BPO, including numerous world premieres, and
advancing the musical canon through commissioning over 10 new works for orchestra by notable
composers such as Daron Hagen, Adolphus Hailstork, Wang Jie, and many others. - Bringing the world’s most renowned solo musicians—including Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Lang
Lang, and Renée Fleming—to perform with the BPO, allowing audiences to experience
international talent and building connections between the artists and Buffalo.
Recording Achievements - Initiating the BPO’s relationship with the Naxos record label, elevating its profile as a leading
recording orchestra with 31 albums released internationally, resulting in two GRAMMY Awards
and consecutive GRAMMY nominations in 2024 and 2025 for Best Orchestral Performance. - Establishing Beau Fleuve Records with the orchestra in 1999, through which the BPO has
independently produced an additional 31 albums, internationally available via digital streaming
services in partnership with Naxos.
Touring and National Visibility - Leading the BPO in its first international tour in three decades (Poland), five successful tours of
Florida, and three performances at Carnegie Hall. - Expanding the orchestra’s national reach through appearances on programs such
as Performance Today, SymphonyCast, From the Top, and nationally broadcast specials on PBS
and Sirius XM.
Community and Regional Engagement - Cultivating a robust partnership with Buffalo Toronto Public Media, resulting in local and national
radio broadcasts of BPO performances, the popular “JoAnn’s Classical Corner” program on
BTPM Classical 94.5 FM, PBS’ Intimate Portrait series, and the JoAnn Falletta International
Guitar Concerto Competition—the world’s first classical guitar concerto competition performed
with a full orchestra, leading to many premieres of new concertos for the instrument.
- Collaborating regularly with regional arts and educational institutions, including the Buffalo
Philharmonic Chorus and the students, faculty, and alumni of SUNY Fredonia’s School of Music
and Canisius University, enriching local artistic and educational ecosystems. - Heading benefit concerts and performances with regional arts and community organizations to
raise awareness around social issues and provide aid to those in need.
Advocacy and Recognition - Actively championing, programming, mentoring, and advocating for underrepresented conductors,
composers, and musicians. - Receiving numerous honors, including ASCAP Awards, the MOLA Award for Outstanding Service
to Music, the Dallas Symphony’s Award of Excellence, and the International Conductor’s Guild
Max Rudolf Award for outstanding achievement as both a conductor and pedagogue.
BPO President and Executive Director Daniel Hart emphasized Falletta’s enduring influence on the
organization: “We all benefit from JoAnn’s mission to consistently enhance the artistry of the
orchestra and have a meaningful impact on our greater community. She has created an enviable and
unique profile for the BPO amongst American orchestras, and her dedication to recording and
releasing albums of important orchestral works makes our impact global.”
Looking ahead, Falletta expressed her commitment to building a sustainable future for the orchestra:
“I personally will be dedicating myself with our team to strengthening our Buffalo Philharmonic
artistically, and to creating a legacy of support that will ensure that our beloved BPO will be here to
bring beauty and inspiration to many generations to come. Together, we are the stewards of an
incomparable treasure: our Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.”