On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Victoria Bach Festival, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to William Buck Moore for his outstanding leadership and dedicated service as Executive Director. As Buck concluded his tenure on June 30 to begin an exciting new opportunity in Houston, we celebrate the lasting impact he has made on our Festival and the Victoria community.
When Buck joined the Victoria Bach Festival in January 2022, he shared that he looked forward to serving the community while continuing the Festival’s tradition of bringing exceptional music and arts experiences to Victoria. During his tenure, Buck fulfilled that promise with vision, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, leaving the Victoria Bach Festival stronger and well-positioned for the future.
As Executive Director, Buck served as the Festival’s chief administrative leader, partnering closely with Artistic Director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez and the Board of Directors to advance the Festival’s mission while ensuring its artistic success, financial stability, and long-term sustainability. While audiences experienced the magic of Festival week, Buck worked hard year-round building relationships, securing resources, and providing the leadership that made those moments possible. Whether working with donors and sponsors, supporting the Board and volunteers, planning for future seasons, or solving the countless challenges that come with presenting a world-class festival, Buck approached every task with dedication, creativity, and a genuine commitment to serving both the organization and the Victoria community.
Buck successfully guided five Victoria Bach Festival seasons, as well as off-season performances and community events, bringing world-class musicians to Victoria while strengthening the Festival’s reputation as one of Texas’s premier cultural organizations. His thoughtful stewardship strengthened the Festival’s financial foundation, expanded fundraising initiatives, fostered meaningful community partnerships, and positioned the organization for continued success.
Perhaps most notably, Buck helped champion the Victoria Bach Festival’s historic 50th Anniversary Season in 2025—a milestone celebrating five decades of musical excellence, community engagement, and cultural enrichment. Under his leadership, the Festival presented an extraordinary week of orchestral, choral, chamber, family, and outdoor performances featuring internationally acclaimed artists, reinforcing Victoria’s reputation as a destination for exceptional classical music. He also helped bring to fruition the permanent 50th Anniversary Monument on the University of Houston-Victoria campus, creating a lasting tribute to the artists, volunteers, patrons, and supporters whose dedication has shaped the Festival’s remarkable legacy for generations.
Throughout his tenure, Buck embodied the Festival’s core values of artistic excellence, hospitality, accessibility, and community engagement.
Whether welcoming patrons at performances, supporting educational and outreach initiatives, or representing the Festival throughout Victoria and the Crossroads region, he led with integrity, humility, and a genuine love for both music and community. His collaborative spirit, servant leadership, and unwavering dedication strengthened every aspect of the organization and will leave a lasting legacy.
While we are saddened to see Buck leave Victoria, we are excited for him as he begins this new chapter in Houston. We thank him for his leadership, friendship, and steadfast commitment to the Victoria Bach Festival, and we wish him every success in the years ahead.
Buck’s contributions will continue to resonate well beyond his time here, and for that, we are deeply grateful.
Simon McCloud, Board President