The Giamalis Family Music Scholarship will be given to a student at the West Hartford school who excels in music as well as academics.

From left: Christine, Nick and Steve Giamalis. Submitted photo

Submitted by Jackie Pisani, Kingswood Oxford School

If, as Plato insisted, music gives “wings to the mind,” then music students at Kingswood Oxford are ready to take flight. Christine and Stephen Giamalis of Glastonbury have established The Giamalis Family Music Merit Scholarship at Kingswood Oxford School to be awarded to one incoming or rising Upper School music student per year who will be participating in the KO Band, Orchestra or Choir.

Nick Giamalis on bass. Submitted photo

This $1,000 per year award will be given to a student who exemplifies both excellence in musical performance as well as academics. Interested students are required to perform the Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) regional audition repertoire for their audition via video. Faculty representatives from band music, orchestral music and vocal music and Creative Arts Department Chair evaluate the video performance. Finalists are then invited to a live audition before the adjudicators. Applications are due by January 15.

Chris Giamalis said she was inspired to give this gift to the school as gratitude for her son, Nick ‘s experience, a rising freshman at Brown University. “KO gave Nick varied and quality opportunities to allow him to figure out who he wanted to be. He was selected to be Head Senior Advisor for sixth graders, made the All Eastern musical conference for playing double bass, which is an incredible distinction but he also competed on KO’s championship football team last year. I don’t think many schools can offer that range and depth of experience.”

Giamalis was quick to add that this award is not just about her son, but to celebrate the multi-dimensional and talented students that are drawn to the school. “I cherish that at KO students don’t have to be in a box. You get to develop yourself and see how far you can go.”

Kingswood Oxford has a rich tradition of musical performance and values artistic expression as a fundamental part of an engaged liberal arts education. Music groups are an intrinsic part of school life and include a plethora of performance opportunities including: Orchestra, Upper School Concert Band, Upper School Jazz Combo, Upper School Wind Ensemble, choral groups such as the Concert Choir, Voce Novissima, Outlook and a cappella club groups, the Oxfordians and Crimson 7. Some outstanding students perform with the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra. In addition, the school offers a vast array of musical opportunities for Middle School students. Giamalis stated that KO’s music program takes students “to a higher profile of music. Any kudos the music department receives is well deserved.”

For more information on The Giamalis Family Music Merit Scholarship at Kingswood Oxford School and how to apply contact Todd Millen at [email protected].

The preeminent independent co-ed day school in Greater Hartford, Kingswood Oxford School is located just steps from Blue Back Square and West Hartford Center. Its 508 students come from 62 towns in CT and western MA as well as China and South Korea.