BUFFALO, NY – The Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius University, the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo and the Chopin Singing Society will present a special celebration of the birthday of Frederick Chopin on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center at Canisius University, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208. The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the performance. Ample parking is available in campus lots and on surrounding streets.
This year’s annual celebration will commemorate America’s 250th Anniversary and honor Revolutionary War heroes Thaddeus Kosciuszko, his aide-de-camp Agrippa Hull and Casimir Pulaski. The multi-faceted program will feature music, poetry and historical presentations highlighting the enduring connections between music, history and cultural heritage.
The program will include music by Chopin, rarely performed music by Kosciuszko, patriotic selections, a dramatic appearance by Agrippa Hull portrayed by actor Charles Eberhardt, poetry by Phyllis Wheatley, the first African American author to publish a book of poetry, readings from Chopin’s letters, and a display of memorabilia related to the celebration.
Featured performers, along with Eberhardt, include the Canisius University Chorale and the Chopin Singing Society, both under the direction of Dr. Brad Wingert, and pianists Karen Schmid, Melanie Bebak and Michael Cygan.
This program is made possible in part through a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts and Culture Initiative, administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
For information contact Mary Lou Wyrobek at @email.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
