Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Names Jennifer Barbee President and Executive Director

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) has announced Jennifer J. Barbee as their new President and Executive Director effective September 1, 2026. Barbee, the current Associate Executive Director and Vice President of Development of the BPO, will replace Daniel Hart, who will retire after 22 years of leading the organization.

Barbee has over 25 years of experience in all aspects of orchestral management including fundraising, planning, governance, marketing, and community engagement. Barbee joined the BPO in 2010, and in 2017, she was promoted to Associate Executive Director and worked with Hart to manage the orchestra’s senior management team.

In the 15 years since joining the BPO, Barbee has been actively involved in the organization’s successful fundraising and institutional initiatives. These include the Crescendo Campaign that raised $35 million and contributed to the growth of the orchestra’s endowment fund to more than $60 million. She was also instrumental in the creation of the $10 million Next Generation Education Fund.

As President and Executive Director, Barbee will serve as a leader together with Music Director JoAnn Falletta and BPO Board of Trustees for the orchestra’s strategic vision. Falletta was excited about their future collaboration because of their dedication to artistic success and community involvement.

“It is my greatest honor to be selected to lead the BPO because I love this orchestra and this community,” “Buffalo is my home, and over the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand what this orchestra means to our community and what our community means to this orchestra.”

Jennifer J. Barbee

Prior to her recruitment into the BPO, Barbee served for more than eight years at the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Barbee has worked in other places like Virginia Arts Festival, Time Life, and National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution. Barbee is a classically trained bassoonist who has a Bachelors degree of Music in Bassoon Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Barbee will take on the role of leading the BPO as the organization continues its events under the guidance of Falletta and expanding its reach in Western New York.