Phoenix Chorale Artistic Director to Leave
After 18 seasons, Charles Bruffy will step down from his position as artistic director of the Phoenix Chorale at the end of October. The October concerts will celebrate Bruffy and his accomplishments with the Phoenix Chorale, featuring a “Bruffy’s Best” theme.
Bruffy holds artistic leadership positions in his hometown of Kansas City, including the Kansas City Chorale, director of music at Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church and artistic director of the Kansas City Symphony Chorus.
Bruffy originally agreed to be in Phoenix for one season – which stretched into 18 years. “It’s been quite a journey, and I am so proud of what we have accomplished together,” he says.
Bruffy began working with the then-named Phoenix Bach Choir in 1999. The organization changed its name to the Phoenix Chorale in 2008, and Bruffy embarked on a journey to increase the organization’s profile nationally and internationally. Soon the Phoenix Chorale was signed to the Chandos record label and Bruffy developed major recording projects for the organization. His recordings with the Phoenix Chorale and Kansas City Chorale received 10 Grammy Award nominations and three Grammy wins, including the Grammy for Best Choral Performance in 2016 for the recording of Rachmaninoff’s “All-Night Vigil.”
“Bruffy’s Best” opens the season featuring some of the signature choral works Bruffy has conducted in Phoenix. These include Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir. Performances will be held across the Valley October 27-29.
