The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is thrilled to announce the appointment of Ron Spigelman as Principal Pops Conductor, starting this Fall with the beginning of their 2025-26 concert season. Spigelman, a familiar face to BPO audiences, brings a wealth of experience and a decades-long connection with the orchestra and Western New York to the helm of the orchestra’s annual Pops Series.
Spigelman’s work with the BPO began in 2001 when he won the position of Assistant Conductor – a role that soon evolved into Associate Conductor. During his four-season tenure, he worked closely with the musicians and Music Director JoAnn Falletta, forming a lifelong friendship and mentorship.
Among the many highlights of his early years with the BPO, Spigelman conducted alongside Falletta at Carnegie Hall in 2004, and led the orchestra in concerts with renowned guest artists Peter, Paul and Mary, Arturo Sandoval, Leslie Odom Jr., Gladys Knight, and many others. In recent years, Spigelman has conducted many BPO Pops and “Film with Live Orchestra” performances, including Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol and Frozen in Concert, and he will be back on the Kleinhans Music Hall stage on May 2 to conduct Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert.
Reflecting on his return to Buffalo in this new position, Spigelman shared: “It means the world to me that the BPO has entrusted me with such an important role, to become the next Principal Pops Conductor. I have worked with them in their Pops Series for nearly 25 years, and the orchestra truly values the importance of Pops concerts offering something for everyone. I recognize the giant shoes I am filling – when I was Associate Conductor I worked closely with Marvin Hamlisch, and I am a great admirer of John Morris Russell – so my goal is to continue their excellence and the dynamic performances they consistently brought.”
Looking ahead, he added, “I most look forward to having a deeper connection with Buffalo, the superb BPO musicians, the audiences, and the orchestra’s world-class creative team to grow audiences and discover opportunities to bring even more diverse concert offerings – with excitement, joy, and humor accompanying all of it! The next season is shaping up to be a blockbuster, and I am so excited to be a part of it.”
On this appointment, BPO President & Executive Director Daniel Hart expressed his enthusiasm: “Ron’s return to the BPO as Principal Pops Conductor is a homecoming in every sense of the word. His longstanding relationship with our orchestra, his incredible rapport with audiences, and his dedication to creating performances that are fun make him an ideal leader for our Pops Series. Ron’s artistry, energy, and deep ties to Buffalo will undoubtedly take this series to new heights. Music Director JoAnn Falletta and I are thrilled to welcome him into this role.”
All WNY is made possible thanks to coffee and sleep deprivation.
We appreciate your readership. We like money, too.