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Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra photo courtesy of the BPO.
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra photo courtesy of the BPO.

BPO offers free tickets for active military & veterans at 'Star-Spangled Salute' on Memorial Day weekend

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Wed, Apr 27th 2022 02:15 pm

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra has a longstanding tradition each Memorial Day weekend of honoring this country’s fallen military service men and women, and celebrating the soundtrack of the American spirit. On Friday, May 27 (10:30 a.m.), and Saturday, May 28 (7:30 p.m.), the patriotic pageantry returns to Kleinhans Music Hall with two bombastic performances of “Star-Spangled Salute.” Veterans and active military personnel are invited to attend either performance free of charge, and their guests will receive a 20% discount on their tickets.

“Star-Spangled Salute” is led this year by frequent guest conductor Bradley Thachuk of the Niagara Symphony (Ontario, Canada). He is joined by the jubilant voices of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, along with Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts graduate Jay Dref, a Juilliard-trained, award-winning vocalist, fresh from Sarah Brightman's “A Christmas Symphony tour.” The program will feature an array of patriotic anthems and tributes, including Adolphus Hailstork’s “Three Spirituals,” John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare,” “America the Beautiful,” “The Armed Forces Salute,” and perennial favorite John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.” A special rendition of “Casey at the Bat” will be narrated by Tom Burns, former director of public relations and marketing for the Buffalo Bisons, who produces the BPO’s annual Independence Day performance at Sahlen Field. Students from Hutchinson Central Technical High School will present the colors at the start of each performance.

“Our Memorial Day weekend concerts have become an annual tradition for so many Western New Yorkers,” said Patrick O’Herron, vice president of marketing and communications. “Patriotic music has the incredible power to uplift us and unite us in the times that we need it most. We are honored to pay tribute to those we have lost in service to our country, and to give back to our veterans and active military by providing complimentary tickets.”

Tickets to “Star-Spangled Salute” can be purchased at bpo.org, by calling the BPO box office at 716-885-5000, or visiting in person at Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Active military personnel and veterans should call or visit the box office in person and mention their military status to receive their complimentary tickets and discount tickets for their guests. Tickets will need to be picked up at the box office window with a valid military I.D.

Elderwood presents the Friday morning “Coffee Concert” on May 27. Complimentary coffee and doughnuts will be available for all ticketholders prior to the performance.

For more information, visit bpo.org.

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