Octavo Singers

**A choral tradition since 1933!** Octavo Singers is a choral tradition that began during the Depression. They sang for fun, but decided to give public concerts.

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. Directed by a young music teacher, Gordon Mason, the groups sang just for fun. When the WPA funds ran out, some of the singers, wishing to continue, founded the Octavo Singers. At first, they took a collection during the concerts,

but later established an admission charge. The singers, numbering approximately fifty, came from many different backgrounds. Some had professional vocal training; others did not. What they had in common was a genuine delight in the challenge of learning and performing great choral works. Mason, the founder and director of the first, and for many years, the only oratorio society in this part of the state, conducted the Octavo Singers for thirty-six years. Upon his retirement at the end of the 1969-1970 season, George G. Moross, a member of the chorus, assumed leadership. Moross introduced orchestral accompaniment to the Octavo Singers' performances. The group, which traditionally performs an orchestrated Messiah concert each December, also has concerts in mid-fall and early spring. Under Moross' leadership the group introduced several lesser known pieces include: Orff 's Carmina Burana, Rachmaninoff 's Vespers, Bloch's Sacred Service, as well as commissioned compositions by local composers Thomas Savoy, Cici Hunt, Joseph Orietas, and Brian Hoffman. Sadly, George passed away in 2010. A very fitting memorial concert in his honor was performed by the Octavos 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."

05/04/2026

Looking ahead already to our next concert season! JOIN OUR MAILING LIST to stay in the loop on the details as they develop: http://eepurl.com/dKf_p6

04/26/2026

Come to St. John the Evangelist Church in Schenectady to hear two beautiful works! Details at octavosingers.org/upcoming.

04/23/2026

A few scenes from last night's rehearsal ... Come see us on Sunday at the beautiful St. John the Evangelist Church in Schenectady! octavosingers.org/upcoming

04/20/2026

It's not too late to get tickets!! Pairing the radiant Schicksalslied with the rarely heard The Cloud Messenger, this program explores longing, destiny, and the human search for connection beyond ourselves. While Brahms’ masterpiece is beloved, Holst’s sweeping choral epic is a true hidden gem—an extraordinary work that will be new to most audiences. Tickets and info: octavosingers.org/upcoming

04/14/2026

LISTEN! ▶️ Artistic Director Andrew Burger and President Diane Deacon sat down with Classical WMHT's Rob Brown to provide a preview of our upcoming Spring concert.

Artistic Director Andrew Burger and President Diane Deacon preview the upcoming Octavo Singers Spring Concert

03/14/2026

Pairing the radiant Schicksalslied with the rarely heard The Cloud Messenger, this program explores longing, destiny, and the human search for connection beyond ourselves. While Brahms’ masterpiece is beloved, Holst’s sweeping choral epic is a true hidden gem—an extraordinary work that will be new to most audiences.
🎟 Info and Tickets: octavosingers.org/upcoming.

01/21/2026

Go see our SSSO friends, some of our concert soloists, and our own Andrew Burger in this thrilling new opera this Sunday!

12/28/2025

We are currently welcoming new members for our April 26 concert! While all sections are open, we are especially looking for tenors and basses to balance out our sound.

If you’ve been looking for a creative outlet, a way to meet new people, or just a reason to sing your heart out, this is it. No scary auditions—just show up and find your spot!

Find all the details at octavosingers.org/join

12/13/2025

Its TODAY! Tickets will be available at the door starting at 2 p.m.!

12/11/2025

If you're coming to our concert this weekend, check out this custom interactive map showing available lots on the Union College campus near the Memorial Chapel. It also shows the lot at the corner of Nott and Seward, from which a shuttle will take concert-goers directly to and from the Chapel. ... It's not too late to get tickets: octavosingers.org/upcoming!

Parking is available in several lots near the Memorial Chapel and there will be a shuttle to take concert-goers directly to the Memorial Chapel from the Nott-Seward parking lot and back.

Address

PO Box 722
Schenectady, NY
12301

Telephone

+15183806938

Website

http://www.octavosingers.org/

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