Annual Festivals
Buffalo State High School Honor Band Festival
This festival is hosted annually in the fall semesters and brings together the most talented high school band students from throughout Western New York State. Students work intensively for two days with a nationally acclaimed guest director. Sectionals with professors are offered on every instrument throughout the festival. Sessions for music educators from participating schools are also offered. The festival culminates with performance in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. For more information, contact Dr. Rick Fleming.
Buffalo State High School Jazz Band Festival
Participating high school Jazz Ensembles are invited for a day to perform for three nationally acclaimed jazz artists and educators. Clinics with rhythm sections, winds, and brass are offered in a supportive and celebratory manner. This events aims to showcase the excellent high school jazz talent located throughout the region. For more information, contact Dr. Rick Fleming.
Rantucci International Guitar Festival
The Rantucci International Guitar Competition now is in its eleventh year. Founded and directed by Mir Ali, president of the Buffalo Guitar Society, the Rantucci has become one of America's most important classical guitar competitions. It draws guitarists from around the globe for the competition as well as hundreds of audience members for the concerts and other events. Masterclasses, clinics, lectures and guitar manufacturers are all housed in Rockwell Hall, with overflow events located in the Burchfield Penney Arts Center (link) and the Albright Knox Art Gallery. For more information, please contact Mir Ali, Festival Director at mirguitarali@verizon.net or call (716) 884-0714.
African American Spiritual Contest
Routed in the historical context of the American negro spiritual, this contest endeavors to preserve, educate, and celebrate the spiritual. First held in May 2009, this unique event attracts vocal competitors from around the country with advanced degrees in vocal performance from the nation's finest schools. Prizes have included roles in world premiere operatic productions and guest appearances with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. For more information, please contact the Music Department at music@buffalostate.edu or (716) 878-6401.
