Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus names Dr. Vernon Huff as music director

Western New York's Grammy Award-winning symphonic chorus announces visionary new leader

Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus press release

The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus (BPC), Western New York's premier symphonic chorus and winner of the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance, has appointed Dr. Vernon Huff as its next music director, effective July 1. Huff will occupy the Cameron Baird Endowed Chair, named for one of the chorus’ most impactful early music directors.

Following a six-month national and international search, Huff was selected from a competitive pool of more than three-dozen applicants. The search committee, chaired by BPC President and Board Chair West Richter Jr., and comprising singing members, community board members and key collaborative partners, guided the process through interviews and auditions.

"Dr. Huff is an exceptional musician, educator and leader whose artistry and vision align with the BPC's commitment to artistic excellence, stewardship and community," Richter said. "His proven ability to elevate ensembles to national recognition, combined with his passion for music education and developing singers throughout their musical careers, positions him well to build on our proud tradition of choral excellence and our dedication to fostering the next generation of aspiring vocal artists in WNY. We look forward to the impact he will have on our singers, partners, and broader community."

Huff said, "I am thrilled to be joining the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus as its next music director and am deeply grateful to the search committee and board of directors for placing their trust in me. The BPC’s remarkable legacy of artistry, community engagement and musical excellence is truly inspiring, and I am honored to have the opportunity to help shape its next chapter. I look forward to collaborating with the singers, board, artistic partners, and the broader community as we advance the chorus’ mission and uphold its 90-year tradition of exceptional performances. I am eager to begin our work together!"

Huff currently serves as director of choral activities and associate professor of music at SUNY Fredonia, where he teaches courses in choral conducting, supervises graduate conducting students, and conducts the chamber choir, college choir and masterworks chorus. He oversees a choral program of five choirs and over 350 students. 

For the past three years, Huff’s choirs have earned the national distinction of the American Prize in choral performance (university large division). His ensembles have performed at the American Choral Directors Association regional conference in Boston and the New York State School Music Association conference in Rochester, and Huff has led the ensembles on tours to England (2023) and Italy (2025). The "Holidays at Fredonia" choral broadcast has aired on New York PBS stations for five years and is currently available on PBS.com.

Huff brings breadth to this role: 10 years of public-school teaching across California, Ohio and South Carolina; national board certification in choral music; and an active career as a clinician, adjudicator and presenter at local, state, regional and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Education. He has also performed professionally as a baritone soloist, including at the Piccolo Spoleto festival in Charleston, South Carolina.

He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Furman University, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from The Ohio State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Arizona State University.

Huff's first appearance on the BPC podium will occur this fall. Further details on the upcoming season will be announced in the coming months.

More about the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus: Founded in 1937, the BPC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the Western New York region through high-quality, diverse musical programs and developing singers of all ages in the choral arts. Consisting of more than 150 members, the BPC serves as the principal guest chorus of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. More information can be found at bpchorus.org.