John Burge was born in Dryden, Ontario in 1961. He holds degrees from the University of Toronto (B.Mus. and M.Mus.) and the University of British Columbia (D.M.A.) where his composition professors included John Beckwith, Walter Buczynski, Stephen Chatman, John Hawkins and Derek Holman. Since 1987 he has been teaching at the School of Music, Queens University where he currently holds the position of Associate Professor. Burges composition output is marked by a number of major choral works including: Mass for Prisoners of Conscience (1989), a seventy-five minute work for three soloists, choir and chamber orchestra; Thank You God (1992), an eight-movement prayer cycle for childrens choir and chamber orchestra; and Divinum Mysterium (1995), a Christmas composition for choir and brass band.

Similar to his close connection in recent years with The Thirteen Strings of Ottawa, John Burge has also worked productively with the Kingston Symphony and their Music Director, Glen Fast. They have commissioned and premiered his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1991) with pianist Brian Finley, and his cantata, That we may not Lose Loss (1993) which is a setting of a poem by Canadian poet, Margaret Avison and in 1997 they premiered a short orchestral work entitled, Snowdrift.

John Burge has received commissions from the Canada Council, the Ontario Arts Council and numerous privately funded organizations. His music is published by Boosey and Hawkes, Gordon V. Thompson and Jaymar Music and is available from the Canadian Music Centre where he is an associate member.