Trombone choir to perform at BPO’s music director’s 20th anniversary celebration

The Fredonia Trombone Choir, under the direction of Jonathan Lombardo, will have the honor of performing at JoAnn Falletta’s 20th anniversary celebration as Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

The black-tie affair will be held on Friday, Oct. 18, at the historic Hotel Henry on the Richardson Olmsted Campus. Due to space considerations, eight trombone students, the honors octet, will play in the lobby from 5 to 7 p.m. to welcome guests to the event.

“It is an honor that the artistry and dedication of the students are being recognized by JoAnn Falletta, one of the music industry’s most iconic leaders,” said Mr. Lombardo, who also serves as Principal Trombonist of the Buffalo Philharmonic. Being granted the privilege to perform at Maestro Falletta’s 20th anniversary celebration is an incredible opportunity to showcase the talent at Fredonia while simultaneously serving the greater Buffalo community, he added.

“I am very proud of the work ethic and professionalism put forth by my students as they prepare for this high-profile event,” Lombardo said.

It’s also a major fundraiser, Lombardo noted, so Falletta, the BPO administration as well as board members, donors and friends of the orchestra and others in the classical music community are expected to attend. BPO management contacted Lombardo during the summer about performing at the event.

Two years ago, the 25-member trombone choir embarked on a new holiday tradition of performing in the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s Community Spotlight Series, which serves as a pre-concert concert for the BPO, in the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall. These performances have been a big success each year, Lombardo noted.