Our mission is to serve both our audience and our membership by learning and performing great music. Our repertoire is a thoughtful mixture of beloved traditional oratorios as well as works by more recent composers, whose music is just waiting to become the new favorites of the choristers and listeners alike. |
WHO WE ARE
We are Schenectady County’s longest continuously active vocal ensemble, and we have developed a consistent and distinguished record of highly successful choral performances. We owe that distinction to a devoted and talented membership, as well as the solid musical leadership of our Artistic Directors (Gordon Mason, who founded the group in 1933; George Moross, Curtis Funk; and, as of September 2022, Andrew Burger) and our current collaborative keyboardist, Trevor Kahlbaugh.
The Octavos perform primarily in large urban churches, which make a perfect backdrop for the large-scale sacred choral works we typically present. Although the pandemic has required adjustments, we usually perform a Fall concert in October or November, followed by our traditional Handel's Messiah concert in December. and a Spring concert, usually in April or May. We also frequently do performances at community events such as the Saratoga Victorian Streetwalk.
Our group is governed by a Board of Directors which also functions as an Executive Committee. All ensemble members are encouraged to participate in the on-going operations of the group and are welcomed to attend Board meetings. If you have an interest in being part of the group’s governance, see our president, Diane Deacon or our Artistic Director.
The Octavos perform primarily in large urban churches, which make a perfect backdrop for the large-scale sacred choral works we typically present. Although the pandemic has required adjustments, we usually perform a Fall concert in October or November, followed by our traditional Handel's Messiah concert in December. and a Spring concert, usually in April or May. We also frequently do performances at community events such as the Saratoga Victorian Streetwalk.
Our group is governed by a Board of Directors which also functions as an Executive Committee. All ensemble members are encouraged to participate in the on-going operations of the group and are welcomed to attend Board meetings. If you have an interest in being part of the group’s governance, see our president, Diane Deacon or our Artistic Director.
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Board of Directors
Diane Deacon, President Tom Labelle, 1st VP Judith Singer, 2nd VP, Publicity Katie Rose, Secretary Wendy Luft, Treasurer Andrew Burger, Artistic Director Christine Yost, Member at Large Dave Roberts, Member at Large Nina Kryzak, Member at Large |
Committee Chairs
Gayle McLaughlin, Scholarship Committee Jerry & Fran Carroll, Donor Relations Nina Kryzak, Grant Writer Leslie Bottino, Webmaster Jan Walz, Pat Aycox, Personnel Committee Christine Yost, Membership Committee |
HISTORY
In the early 1930's, the Schenectady Recreation Department, with WPA funds, promoted low-cost recreation, including choral groups which met at several community schools and sang for fun. When the funds ran out, some of the singers founded the Octavo Singers out of their genuine delight in the challenge of learning and performing great choral works.
The founder and first artistic director was Gordon Mason, who conducted the Octavo Singers for 36 years - part of them while being the only oratorio society in this part of the state. After his retirement, George Moross, a member of the chorus, assumed leadership and introduced orchestral accompaniment to the Octavo Singers' performances. When George passed away in 2010, a memorial concert was performed in his honor by the Octavo Singers under the direction of Patricia Aycox. In 2011, Curtis Funk accepted the position of Artistic Director, and during his 11 years on the podium he was instrumental in growing the chorus in both size and sound - adding orchestral accompaniment to each concert and attracting/recruiting new members in each section, creating the Octavo Singers' signature "Wall of Sound."
The founder and first artistic director was Gordon Mason, who conducted the Octavo Singers for 36 years - part of them while being the only oratorio society in this part of the state. After his retirement, George Moross, a member of the chorus, assumed leadership and introduced orchestral accompaniment to the Octavo Singers' performances. When George passed away in 2010, a memorial concert was performed in his honor by the Octavo Singers under the direction of Patricia Aycox. In 2011, Curtis Funk accepted the position of Artistic Director, and during his 11 years on the podium he was instrumental in growing the chorus in both size and sound - adding orchestral accompaniment to each concert and attracting/recruiting new members in each section, creating the Octavo Singers' signature "Wall of Sound."
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Curtis Funk, Artistic Director, 2011-2022
Curtis Funk, former Artistic Director, born in Philadelphia and raised in Detroit, attended Michigan State University, where he studied piano with Ralph Votapek, tuba/euphonium with Leonard Falcone and organ with Corliss Arnold. He also attended Eastern Michigan University, where he studied composition with Anthony Iannaccone; upon graduation, Curtis studied conducting with Gustav Meier of the Tanglewood Music Center. Curtis has taught vocal, instrumental and classroom music in three public school districts and has been the Music Director at numerous churches for over 35 years. Currently, he is the organist at Trinity United Methodist Church on Lark Street in Albany. He is also the Music Director of the Fort Orange Club Singers, and an Adjunct Professor of Music at the College of St. Rose. In addition to his permanent positions, Curtis has guest conducted the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Dorothy Welch Choral Society, the Burnt Hills Oratorio Society, and various ad hoc music ensembles in New York City and Long Island. Curtis also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and is the Director of the Finance and Budget Office for the Department of Public Service. He lives in Niskayuna with his wife, Danielle Funk, and a menagerie of pets. He has two daughters, Liz and Allie. |
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