Championed internationally by the renowned Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and echoed for generations inside spaces like Kleinhans Music Hall, classical music can bring listeners back to the streets of our one-time City of Light and deepen their appreciation of the modern Queen City. Throughout the summer, there are scores of classical performances across the region. But with the annual June in Buffalo—the June 9-15, 2024 festival dedicated to contemporary composers and set on the campus of the University at Buffalo—fans can enjoy multiple days of classical music appreciation and get lost in the beauty of arrangements that have stood the test of time. In this episode of Hear Here, we’ll talk festival specifics and legacy with June in Buffalo Artistic Director, Jonathan Golove; examine the genre’s trajectory and intricacies with conductor of the BPO, Fernanda Lastra; and connect with Buffalo-born composer, Amy Williams about her musical upbringing—and where classical music could take us next.

Hear Here is a production of Buffalo Toronto Public Media for Visit Buffalo Niagara.