By Tim Kowols

The story of Washington Island student George Findlay’s “Opus One” being played by the community band started long before the conductor ever raised its baton. Findlay is just seven years old, but has already taken over a year of music classes thanks to the community’s generosity and support of the school. Findlay’s teacher, Donna Briesemeister, is funded by the Washington Island Music Festival. She says now is a great time for students to start developing their musical literacy.

His favorite music is rock and roll, but Findlay lists his classmates as his influences.  He says his first song started with just a few notes.

Briesemeister hopes other students learn from Findlay’s time in the spotlight as encouragement to write music of their own. Findlay says students should do it because it is fun.