FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 19, 2020

Media Contact: Heather Hare
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
(716) 845.7155 • hhare@wned.org

Falletta Guitar Competition Postponed

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra today announced it will postpone the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition scheduled for June 3-5, 2020. Produced in collaboration with Buffalo Toronto Public Media, the biennial competition was founded in 2004 and draws the finest guitarists in the world to Buffalo to participate in what has become one of the most anticipated competitions in the world of guitar. Its artistic directors are renowned guitar duo Joanne Castellani and Michael Andriaccio.

The competition is being postponed due to the nearly impossible logistics of mounting an international competition in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. The BPO will announce a rescheduled date at a later time.

Buffalo Toronto Public Media President and CEO, Donald K. Boswell said, “This competition is one of our favorite endeavors. It has been an opportunity for Buffalo Toronto Public Media and the BPO to broadcast this important classical competition to the world, through WNED Classical's radio stream and our YouTube and Facebook live streaming.”

JoAnn Falletta, music director of the BPO and the namesake of the competition commented, “It is with a heavy heart that we made the decision to postpone the Competition. It is always one of the true highlights of the year. The guitarists that come to Buffalo are always outstanding and amazed by the warmth and generosity of our community. We look forward to a time when we can again welcome them to Buffalo.”

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