Degrees:
- MM 2018, Wind Conducting, Ithaca College
- BA 2007, Music, University of Connecticut
- BS 2007, Education, University of Connecticut
2022-2023 Engagements:
- ASBDA - CT Chapter High School Honor Band - October 12
- Ithaca College Summer Music Academy HS Wind Ensemble - July 2023
- Guest Clinician: Public Schools of the Tarrytowns Conducting Symposium - May 18
- Suburban Council Music Festival Honor Band (Ballston Spa, NY) - April 28-29
- Niagara County High School Honor Band (Middleport, NY) - February 3-4
- Genesee Valley Music Association Elementary Honor Band (Perry, NY) - January 27-28
- HS Band Tour on Long Island, NY - William Floyd HS, Brentwood HS, Manhasset HS - January 11-13
- NY Division Five 11 & 12 Grade Honor Band (LI, NY) - January 10-14
- NYSSMA Conference Presentation
- Ithaca College Wind Repertoire Mini-Conference (Ithaca, NY) - October 21
- Shoreline Music Festival High School Honor Band (Durham, CT) - October 6 & 13
Fall 2023 Courses:
- Wind Pedagogy (MUED 37500)
- Band Techniques (MUED 21100)
- Class Trombone (PFSM 13500)
- Supervisor, Junior Student Teaching (MUED 37100)
Additional Courses Taught:
- Band Rehearsal Lab (MUED 38100)
- Laboratory Band (MUED 35600)
- Teaching Instrumental Music (MUED 36200)
- Brass Class (PFSM 35100)
- Contemporary Ensembles in the Public Schools (MUED 28100)
- Supervisor, Senior Student Teaching
- Brass instrument proficiency juror
- Conductor, Ithaca College Trombone Troupe (MUEN 12400/62400)
- Conductor, Ithaca College Symphonic Band
Service to Ithaca College:
- IC Summer Music Academy faculty
- Conductor's Colloquium
- IC Band Centennial Celebration Committee
- Guest conducting (IC ensembles, school visits, and festivals)
- Recruitment and outreach initiatives
Aaron S. Burgess is a dynamic conductor and music educator with close ties to the collegiate, public school, and community music arenas. He has been lauded for his exuberant and evocative performances and his collaborative approach to ensemble music making and administration. Mr. Burgess is assistant professor of music education at Ithaca College where he teaches courses in instrumental music education and supervises student teachers. Additionally, he is music director of the Ithaca Community Orchestra and resident conductor of the Ithaca New Music Collective.
Mr. Burgess has collaborated from the podium with many artists and composers including trombonist Peter Steiner formerly of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Vienna State Opera, Timothy Smith of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, composers Nathan Tanouye, Dana Wilson, Sally Lamb McCune, Jess Langston Turner, Eric Ewazen, Lewis J. Buckley, Kenneth Fuchs and Joshua Oxford, alto saxophonist Greg Case of the U.S. Coast Guard Band, trumpeter Louis Hanzlik of the American Brass Quintet, flutist Barbara Hopkins of the Hartford (CT) Symphony Orchestra, and numerous faculty in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Ithaca College. He has commissioned and premiered many new works for winds, strings, and percussion, guest conducted a wide array of ensembles and honor bands, and presented on topics pertaining to conducting and instrumental music education.
His work in recent years includes appointments as conductor and advisor of the acclaimed Ithaca College Trombone Troupe, director of bands in the Southern Cayuga Central Schools (NY) and junior high band director in the Trumansburg Central School District (NY), conductor of the Ithaca College Symphonic Band, as well as numerous guest appearances with the wind bands of Ithaca College. From 2010 until 2015, he served as director of bands at Edwin O. Smith High School (CT). In 2014, he was appointed an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Music at the University of Connecticut where he taught woodwind methods and guest lectured on topics pertaining to secondary instrumental music education. During the summers of 2008 and 2009, he served as music director and conductor of the Connecticut Wind Ensemble, an ensemble of professional and collegiate musicians. From 2007 until 2010, he was director of bands at Rocky Hill High School, Myrtle Stevens Elementary School, and West Hill Elementary School (CT). His work as a public school music educator includes ensemble and instrumental instruction at all grade levels, elective music courses, competitive marching band, and music program administration.
Mr. Burgess is a member of several professional and honor organizations and has held numerous leadership roles in the Connecticut Music Educators Association including co-chair of the Connecticut All-State Festival. He holds a Master of Music in wind conducting from Ithaca College and a Bachelor of Arts in music and a Bachelor of Science in music education from the University of Connecticut.