George Lesh Musical Biography

George Lesh began his musical career at the age of 5 years when he started studying the piano at Ray Cramer Studio in Abington, Pa. He continued his studies through elementary and high school, adding the oboe to his repertoire in band in high school. At West Chester University, he majored in music education, studying piano under Benjamin Whitten. Throughout his career, he took advantage of other graduate music education opportunities at Ithaca College and Westminster Choir College.

He started his career teaching band and chorus in Slatington, Pa. He moved on to teach vocal music in the Sayre Area School District and finally spent the remainder of his vocal music teaching career at Unatego Central Schools for the next 34 years, retiring in 2008. While employed at Unatego he was elected zone representative for NYSSMA to advocate for music education.

While teaching music at Sayre, he became director of the barbershop chorus and after moving to Unadilla, he also directed the Midstatesmen barbershop chorus in Oneonta for a few years.

When he moved to Unadilla, the Sayre chorus gave him the gift of an acoustic guitar, that he taught himself to play. He used the guitar to accompany singers when there was no other musical instrument available in school, social and church venues.

Once he retired, he gifted himself a classical guitar and took lessons from Dennis Turechek. Eventually he became the secretary of the board of the Classical Guitar Society of Upstate New York. He was instrumental in helping to advocate for the classical guitar and plan the yearly festivals held each fall.

He was also a church organist at Sacred Heart Church in Sidney, NY for 17 years and at the time of his passing, he was the church musician at the Unadilla United Methodist Church for the past 20 years. He has played for just about all the churches in the surrounding communities whenever requested.

George and his wife, Louise met at college through their mutual interests in music. They enjoyed singing together whenever they could. He assisted her in her direction of children’s choirs at church. Together they encouraged the musical pursuits of their children.

George was his daughter, Heather’s first piano teacher. She was one of his accompanists in choir in high school. She graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in piano performance and pedagogy from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. She taught for 15 years in Concord Community Music School in NH before teaching in the music department at Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY.

His sons have also been involved in music as well. Ben was in chorus and band in high school. Ben, an English teacher, is the theater director and collaborates with his colleagues in producing high school musicals. He sang in a band after graduation from college and continues to enjoy singing whenever he can. Brian was in band in high school, playing drums. After attending college, he taught himself to play the acoustic guitar with the help of his dad. He now plays in a cover band for enjoyment many weekends. Jon was also in choir and was involved in the musical productions in high school. He still continues to enjoy music whenever he can.