named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Choral Workshop
Collaborative event with the Buffalo United Community Choir that brings together singers from diverse backgrounds to build community through music.
Establishing Roots
Fall concert and community sing event at Asbury Hall featuring the chorus and chamber players, including audience participation and local food and drink vendors.
Handel's Messiah Performances
Annual holiday tradition featuring performances of Handel's Messiah at multiple venues across Western New York, including Our Lady of Victory Basilica and St. Mary's Church in Swormville.
PASSION Projects
Intimate concert series highlighting medium-length choral works through collaborations with groups like the Westminster Choir, emphasizing artistry and repertoire diversity.
The Poet's Voice
Performance series combining poetry and music, featuring works by Buffalo’s Poet Laureate and musical interpretations of classic poets, held at Asbury Hall.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Deliver youth and community engagement programs in choral musicProvides performance and mentorship opportunities for high school vocal students through the Aspiring Voices program, pairing them with chorus members and performing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in major works. Hosts community choral workshops, festivals, and sing-along events to engage diverse populations across generations and neighborhoods, including joint initiatives with groups like the Buffalo United Community Choir.
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
- Present choral music performances with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and independentlyPerforms as the principal guest chorus of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in classical, pops, and contemporary works, including major productions such as Orff's Carmina Burana, Mozart's Great Mass in C Minor, and newly commissioned pieces. Also presents self-sponsored concerts, including annual performances of Handel’s Messiah for thirty consecutive years, and collaborative events at Kleinhans Music Hall and other regional venues.
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Commissioning New Musical Works 1 activity
- Produce and perform new and broadcasted choral worksPresents world premieres of commissioned music, such as Lee Hoiby's A Whitman Symphony, and produces annual choral broadcasts like “Holidays at Fredonia,” aired on PBS stations across New York State. Engages in recording projects that have earned national recognition, including the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance for The Passion of Yeshua.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Support organizational capacity through specialized staff and leadership developmentEmploys a music librarian and assistant music librarian to support chorus operations and maintains organizational continuity by recruiting key leadership roles such as Music Director. These roles ensure artistic excellence, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability of the ensemble.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$311K
Contributions & grants$191K61%
Program service revenue$98K31%
Investment income$20K7%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$333K
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$140K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.43M
Cash$99K
Investments$1.30M
Liabilities$90K
Net assets$1.34M
Liquid reserves50.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +21.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MADELINE HARTS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THRU 6/24) | 40 | $35K |
| DAN JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | $3K |
board members · 16
- ALEXANDRA RICHTER — DIRECTOR
- ANDREA COPLEY — DIRECTOR
- BETSY CAMPBELL — SECRETARY
- CATHY AGNELLO — DIRECTOR
- DEE JAKEL — DIRECTOR
- ELISE EDWARDS — DIRECTOR
- GARRET MARTIN — DIRECTOR
- JOSHUA WISINSKI — DIRECTOR
- NIA BADGER — DIRECTOR
- NICOLE TYRPAK — VICE PRESIDENT
- REBECCA VOGT — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT BINISZKIEWICZ — DIRECTOR
- SCOTT SCHAEFER — DIRECTOR
- STEPHEN EDGE — PRESIDENT
- TIMOTHY HOAG — TREASURER
- WEST RICHTER — DIRECTOR
relationships · 43
Who they work with
- American Choral Directors Association Partner — Collaborates through conference performances and leadership roles including Resources and Repertoire Coordinator and collegiate activities coordinator for the New York chapter.
- Amos Lemon Burkhart Foundation Partner — Serves as Vice President of the board, promoting visual art and supporting teens through the 'Stay Alive and Make Art™' initiative.
- Arts Services, Inc. Funder — Major sponsor supporting the chorus.
- Asbury Arts Collaborative Network — Member organization sharing administrative space and participating in a multi-arts collaborative.
- Association of Fundraising Professionals, WNY Partner — Collaborated with the National Philanthropy Day Committee and served as Event Chair in 2024.
- Bruce and Susan Baird Funder — Supporting sponsor of the chorus.
- Buffalo Chamber Players Partner — Collaborated with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus on performances including the "Establishing Roots" concert and season preview.
- Buffalo Chamber Players Partner — Collaborating ensemble in performances.
- Buffalo Chamber Players Partner — Shares musicians and performance activity with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus.
- Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus Partner — Previous collaborative engagement through shared musical performance.
- Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Network — Performs as the chorus component of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, indicating a core artistic affiliation.
- Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Collaborates musically with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus through shared performances and musicians.
- Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Collaborates with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra to provide performance opportunities for high school students.
- Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Performs choral masterpieces regularly with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Primary artistic partner for joint concerts, including performances of Mozart's Great Mass in C Minor and Orff's Carmina Burana.
- Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Primary choral partner performing in joint concerts and recordings.
- Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Primary choral partner, collaborating on performances and artistic development.
- Buffalo State University Partner — Previous institutional affiliation involving musical collaboration.
- Buffalo United Community Choir Partner — Collaborated with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus on the Community Choral Workshop to unite singers across Buffalo.
- Buffalo United Community Choir Partner — Collaborating chorus in performances.
- Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra Partner — Collaborating ensemble in performances.
- County of Erie Government — Provides significant annual support for the chorus's programming.
- Explore Buffalo Partner — Volunteers with the organization.
- M&T Bank Funder — Major sponsor supporting the chorus.
- Moog, Inc. Funder — Major sponsor supporting the chorus.
- NY State Council on the Arts Funder — Supports the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus through funding.
- New York State Schools Music Association Partner — Performs at annual conferences and engages in professional music education networks.
- Niagara Symphony Orchestra Partner — Jointly performed Mahler's Second Symphony with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
- PBS Partner — Broadcast partner for the "Holidays at Fredonia" choral program across New York state and online via PBS.com.
- Ryan Homes Funder — Major sponsor supporting the chorus.
+ 13 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Artistic Excellence Through Collaboration 148 orgsmethodology: excellence-through-collaborationBy combining high-caliber artistic leadership, collaboration with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and collective dedication to excellence, the chorus achieves high-quality musical performances that elevate community engagement, because the integration of professional standards and institutional partnerships strengthens artistic outcomes.shared approach: Accessible Arts Engagement →
- Community Engagement Through Shared Musical Participation 148 orgsmethodology: community-engagement-through-musicBy involving community choirs in collaborative workshops and sustaining traditions like annual Handel’s Messiah performances, the chorus builds cross-generational and cross-neighborhood connections, because shared musical experiences foster collective belonging and cultural continuity.shared approach: Accessible Arts Engagement →
- Mentorship and Youth Development in Choral Arts 148 orgsmethodology: mentorship-modelBy pairing high school students with current chorus members, the organization supports artistic growth and integration into professional settings, because peer mentorship fosters skill development, confidence, and long-term engagement in choral music.shared approach: Accessible Arts Engagement →
- Advancing Choral Art Through Commissioning and Thematic Programming 10 orgsmethodology: artistic-commissioningBy commissioning new works and structuring seasons around unifying themes, the chorus deepens artistic impact and audience transformation, because intentional programming and investment in original music enable innovative and emotionally resonant performances.shared approach: Repertoire Innovation Through Tradition-Contemporary Synthesis →