Artistic Director

                              Andrew Burger
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Andrew Burger is a conductor from Niskayuna, New York. In addition to his position with Octavos, he is currently the Director of Music Ministries at the Niskayuna Reformed Church and most recently, Founding Director of Excelsior Vocal Ensemble. Formerly, he has been Artistic Director of the Northern Berkshire Chorale, Adjunct Professor at Skidmore and RPI, Section Leader for Albany Pro Musica, and Chorus Director for the Albany Symphony.
 
During his time at Skidmore College he has led the Skidmore Chorus in dramatic contemporary programming including Caroline Shaw’s To the Hands, Ola Gjeilo’s Dark Night of the Soul, and Vaughan Williams Dona Nobis Pacem. Recently, he sung the role of Frank in the Schenectady Saratoga Symphony Orchestra’s production of Die Fledermaus where he was also vocal coach for Skidmore student soloists.
 
Highlights of his tenure as Artistic Director of Northern Berkshire Chorale included Beethoven Mass in C, Bach Wachet Auf, Duruflé Requiem, and Mozart Requiem among other large chorale-orchestral works. This ambitious programming, together with his ‘teach passionately’ style leadership and artistic vision, is something he has fostered with each community and collegiate ensemble with whom he has worked.
 
During his time at the Niskayuna Reformed Church, where he is in his tenth year as director, he has conducted numerous anthems and larger works including Fauré Requiem, Maunder Olivet to Calvary, and Vivaldi Gloria, and has conducted the department’s first concert as part of the New York Sacred Sites events, featuring works historically relevant to the church’s history. This coming year, he will be co-designing the church’s 275th anniversary celebration including a service and concert of special music. 
 
While at Bard College, he served as assistant conductor and administrator, conducting the Bard Chamber Singers, Bard Symphonic Chorus, and The Orchestra Now. He had the pleasure of conducting works such as Bruckner Te Deum among others and also served as rehearsal conductor for the department-wide performance of Handel Messiah and Bernstein Candide. He studied conducting with James Bagwell. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education from the College of Saint Rose, where he won the Concerto Competition playing Gregson’s Tuba Concerto. An active vocalist, he sings throughout the capital region and maintains a small voice studio. While not pursuing his wide-reaching musical career, Andrew helps on his family’s greenhouse and vegetable farm in Niskayuna.

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