Music has been an integral part of the Jamieson family landscape for many years and paved the way for four siblings to leave a GIYO family legacy.
Oldest brother Henry studied piano for 12 years, violin for three years, performed in the Youth Orchestra ensemble, and attended GIYO camps. Brother Turner studied piano for 10 years. Henry and Turner performed in recitals and at nursing homes. Music discipline benefited their sports training across martial arts, football, basketball, tennis, golf, and baseball – each was a collegiate baseball player.
Younger sister Isabella played viola in the St. Francis ensemble, Symphonette and Philharmonia and performed in many venues across the community. She also attended several music camps, has studied piano for 11 years and is now focused on dance in high school.
The GIYO torch has now been passed to George Jamieson. George Jamieson took the plunge into music with piano lessons at the age of five. While he has continued to play piano for 12 years, seven years ago he expanded into strings instruction in the fourth grade. George is well on his way to mastering both piano and violin. He placed first in the Mozart Society’s piano competition in 7th and 9th grades.
George’s mom, Michele Jamieson, a very accomplished pianist, nurtured his love for music. George played in GIYO’s symphonette group in the fifth grade under the instruction of longtime Symphonette conductor Todd Lockwood. George continued his music education at St. Francis Catholic School, where he played violin in the school’s ensemble in sixth through eighth grade, at which time he advanced into GIYO’s Philharmonia.
George has thoroughly enjoyed playing with GIYO’s ensemble, noting that they have played concerts and recitals “everywhere” — churches, homes, retirement communities, in public venues. He loves Philharmonia and finds it challenging. Philharmonia takes a semester to perfect a work of music. He finds it very rewarding to hear months of work come together at the capstone concerts culminating the semesters’ work. As for his favorite composers, Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach top his list. But Vivaldi, Puccini, and Rosini are close favorites.
George’s weekends are filled with practice, though if auditions are looming, he will practice all through the preceding week. George finds the GIYO camps to be a great experience with good, knowledgeable instructors. The instruction is very helpful in building his repertoire and preparing him for auditions. He likes to instruct and give tips to new players who may be in his camp strings section.
Like her son George, Michele played piano from age five though 17. Although she took time off during college, she started piano lessons anew when she became a mother. She has played for special school programs, weddings and funerals, and accompanied mass musicians at her church and St. Francis School. In 2022, she wowed everyone with her performance of a Mozart as the featured pianist for GIYO’s Fall Recital.
Michele has found her time with GIYO’s ensemble to be great fun. She notes that the group is a great ambassador for GIYO all across the community, be it First Friday, Cotillion, Marsh's Edge, or graduates’ Baccalaureate. As for her service on the GIYO Board, she enjoys being part of a working Board, referring to it as a dedicated “village” which steps up when needed.
GIYO cannot ask for a more dedicated cheerleader or accompanist than Michele Jamieson. And son George could not have a better musical mentor than his mom Michele.
