A tradition in music

This month, Jimmy Osborne Music will be celebrating 25 years in business in Center Moriches.

Over 80 years ago, Jimmy Osborne’s father, Chester G. Osborne, started passing on the tradition of music as director of music in Center Moriches High School, and the high school dedicated the high school auditorium to him.

The entire family are music educators and performers and have devoted their lives to music.  The family motto is “A Tradition in Music.”  In June of 1997, Jimmy and Jackie Osborne had a vision of continuing that tradition by opening the music school in their hometown of Center Moriches.

“Jimmy and I love the feeling of family, friends, and community in Center Moriches,” said wife and co-owner Jackie. “With Jimmy growing up in Center Moriches, we have a strong bond to our community. Giving back to our community is extremely important.”

What do they love about their family business the most? Sharing the gift of music.

“It was important for us to carry on my father’s legacy of giving music back to the community,” Jimmy said. “We love the fact that many of our students have gone on to continue to give this gift of music as music educators, performers, composers, and some of our musicians have gone to compete in ‘The Voice’ and ‘American Idol.’  The feeling is so special when a former student comes back to visit and tells us how much music has made a difference in their lives.”

Their students are everyone, from those just learning how to play music, those who want to learn to perform and become professional musicians and recording artists, to adults and children.

The business offers lessons on piano, guitar, bass, voice, drums, as well as woodwind, brass, violin, viola and cello, with a dedicated teaching staff of music educators and performers, including two specially dedicated managers, Josephine Fay and Lynn Dalen. 

The couple, and business owners, are also involved with the Moriches Chamber of Commerce as well as several other community services. At the chamber, they help with the St. Patrick’s Day and Veterans Day parades as well as the town fairs. Jimmy was also recently honored as this year’s member of the year. Additionally, for the past three years, they have implemented a music program at OLQA Our Lady Queen of the Apostles in Center Moriches.

“When you think of the Center Moriches’ downtown business district, you think of Jimmy Osborne Music,” said chamber president Art Gerhauser. “Jimmy and his family have been fulfilling the music needs of the community for 25 years. This includes lessons to children and adults.  Jimmy and Jackie are longtime chamber members dedicated to serving and improving the community.”

For the past 14 years, they were an integral part of the organization of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event held at Center Moriches High School, donating their time to raise money and organizing the event. They have also hosted annual events and fundraisers, including Relay Idol and Relay’s Got Talent as well as the annual fundraising recital in which all proceeds are donated to local charities. In addition, their band Chain Reaction and their duo After Dark perform all over Long Island. 

To celebrate their anniversary, for the month of June the music school, located at 377 Main Street, Center Moriches, be holding an open house on June 18 from noon to 3 p.m. for anyone interested in coming. They will also be hosting a summer program in July and August, with a ribbon-cutting dedication ceremony to be announced. For more information, call 631-874-7441 or visit https://jimmyosbornemusic.com/.

“We want to thank our community for all their support and love.  It has been an honor serving our community for the past 25 years and carry on our family tradition by passing on the gift of music,” Jimmy added.

During their next 25 years, they hope to continue to pass on their love of music to the next generations of musicians.