Abbey Siegfried Named First Billings Chair

Continuing a tradition of generosity and excellence, Andover’s newest teaching foundation will benefit the school’s flourishing music program.

Abbey Siegfried P’25, ’26, who has led the department since 2020, officially became the George H. Billings ’68 Music Department Chair this fall thanks to the philanthropy of the late donor and much-admired alumnus.

“For him, endowing this chair was endowing a program—endowing a purpose,” says Siegfried. “George wanted his gift to be about something that could last forever. With the chair comes the opportunity to shape programming and create meaning for students.”

As an Andover student, Billings enjoyed singing in the choir and performing in musicals. He later attended Brown University and Harvard Business School but remained exceptionally close to his PA classmates. Music and Andover were true constants for him.

This affinity for the Andover community led to conversations about his legacy and opportunities to make a lasting difference. It also forged a connection with Siegfried, who has taken to heart her friendship with him and wishes to ensure his presence in the department’s teaching moments.

Says Siegfried, “To think that I had the opportunity to learn from such an extraordinary human being has changed my life forever. I promise to do the best I can to carry his hope and vision forward.”

Winner of numerous performance prizes, Siegfried arrived at Andover in 2011 as an instructor of music and school organist. She received a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music in organ performance from the University of Washington in Seattle. Siegfried also holds bachelor’s degrees in organ and German from the University of Iowa and attended the Conservatory of Music in Freiburg, Germany.