Sam Gugliuzza '25 plays with the BPO at CHS

What an extra-special night of holiday music in Scaccia Auditorium for Canisius High School and Sam Gugliuzza ’25.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performed at CHS for the second straight December, and the Tuesday, Dec. 17 concert included a wonderful moment as the BPO invited Gugliuzza, an accomplished violinist, to join them.

Gugliuzza displayed his fantastic talents as the featured violinist for Polonaise Brilliante No. 1 in D Major, Op. 4. The piece was published by virtuoso violinist and composter Henri Wieniawski in 1853; it has been a staple of virtuoso violinists since its composition.

Gugliuzza’s performance was at about the halfway point of the one-hour concert, as he was welcomed to the stage by conductor Fernandra Lastra, BPO Assistant Conductor. Standing next to Lastra and in front of hundreds in attendance, he delivered a wonderful performance.

The “Christmas Classics with the BPO” evening featured 12 numbers, including Winter Wonderland, a selections from the Nutcracker, A Charlie Brown Christmas and others, closing with Sleigh Ride.

The BPO called our auditorium its home for a time – it performed here after the Elmwood Music Hall was demolished in 1938 and before Kleinhans Music Hall opened in 1940. It has now performed, led by Lastra, before packed houses at CHS three times in the last three years.

Those in attendance again marveled not only at the concerts but also about how wonderful the music sounded in the auditorium, which was built nearly 100 years ago for just these kind of great performances.

The concert was made possible by the generosity of Greg Yungbluth '67 and Robert Cronyn '67.

Students and families interested in the academic, athletic and artistic excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius can learn more by arranging an on-campus experience via canisiushigh.org/visit

This place is special. Let us show you why.

#AMDG