June in Buffalo

A contemporary music ensemble rehearses onstage in a concert hall, with a conductor standing at center facing seated instrumentalists—strings, harp, winds, and percussion—while vocalists stand to the right holding scores during a run-through.

Charles Wuorinen conducts the Slee Sinfonietta. Photographer: Irene Haupt

A Festival for Today’s Composers

With more than 50 years of history, June in Buffalo is a landmark festival and conference dedicated to emerging and established voices in contemporary music. Hosted annually at the University at Buffalo, the festival brings composers together with world-class performers, ensembles and mentors to develop new work, exchange ideas and build lasting professional connections.

June 1–7, 2026

UB's North Campus
Fully in-person festival

Learn about:

What to Expect

June in Buffalo is where new music is created, challenged and brought to life.

June in Buffalo offers an immersive, intensive experience designed to support today’s composers and performers at every stage of their creative journey.

Participants take part in:

  • Seminars, Lectures and Workshops: Led by world-renowned faculty composers and guest artists.
  • Professional Presentations: Explore current practices, technologies and artistic trends shaping contemporary music.
  • Participant Forums and Open Rehearsals: Collaborate closely with professional ensembles and receive direct feedback on your work.
  • Concerts Open to the Public: Afternoon and evening performances featuring faculty composers, resident ensembles and acclaimed soloists from around the world.

Festival highlights:

  • Each selected composer has one work performed during the week
  • Evening concerts spotlight leading composers, ensembles and adventurous new voices
  • Open to composers, performers and anyone passionate about contemporary music

Whether you’re here to compose, perform or listen, June in Buffalo is a place to engage deeply with new music.

Event Details

Year of the Composer/Conductor

The 2026 festival puts the composer/conductor in the central role. Each participant composer—selected through a competitive application process—will conduct their own work in rehearsal and performance with the festival’s resident ensemble, the Slee Sinfonietta.

Participants will receive close mentorship from distinguished figures, including:

Conductor Christian Baldini stands onstage in a dark concert hall, wearing a black suit and holding a baton as he leads an ensemble. His raised hand and focused expression capture a moment of active conducting under stage lighting.

Christian Baldini

Jason Thorpe Buchanan poses for a portrait outdoors, wearing glasses and a dark jacket, with a rocky coastline and ocean behind him. A cliffside village and stone structures rise in the background under a cloudy sky.

Jason Thorpe Buchanan

David Dzubay smiles in a professional portrait, wearing a dark blazer and black shirt against a light, neutral background.

David Dzubay

David Fulmer conducts with expressive hand gestures, wearing a black shirt and glasses against a dark concert-hall background.

David Fulmer

This hands-on model offers a rare opportunity to refine both compositional and conducting skills in a professional rehearsal environment.

Festival Schedule

A detailed festival schedule will be released closer to the event.

See past June in Buffalo

How to apply

Applications are now open!

Whether you’re an emerging composer or an established voice, June in Buffalo offers a dynamic environment to grow, create and connect with today’s new-music community.

June in Buffalo is designed especially for composer/conductors, providing a rare opportunity to develop the artistic vision and professional leadership skills essential to shaping the future of contemporary music. Through hands-on rehearsals, performances and mentorship, participants prepare for the creative and collaborative roles that define this field.

Take the next step and apply to be part of June in Buffalo. 👉

Application Deadline:

All application materials and the processing fee must be submitted by February 15.

Apply now