Gilbert Jacobson

Gil started playing the violin at age seven in Philadelphia and a year later moved to New York here he attended the Juilliard School of Music. In high school, he was concertmaster of the orchestra and also played with the Queens College Orchestral Society and Great Neck Symphony. At age 16, Gil was selected as one of 25 high school students to play with the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Maestro Wilfred Pelletier in Carnegie Hall. His summers were spent at music camps.

Gil majored in music at the State University of New York at Fredonia, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree. During this period, he played in the College Orchestra and was selected to be soloist with the orchestra as part of an Honors Senior Recital playing the Bach Violin Concerto #2 in E Major. In addition, Gil played with the Erie Philharmonic in Erie, Pennsylvania, for three years under the direction of James Sample.

Upon graduation, Gil taught instrumental music for seven years in two public schools and earned a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Queens College.

Gil then left teaching and focused on educational administration where he served as an Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Pennsylvania and New York. During this period, he earned a Doctorate Degree from Columbia University, Teacher’s College.

Upon his retirement from education, he then served for seventeen years as Director of Special Projects for a Risk Management Company.

Prior to relocating to Florida, Gil joined the New Westchester Symphony in New York and served as concertmaster. Once in Fort Myers he joined the Gulf Coast Symphony.

Gil has been an avid pilot, sailor biker and traveler. He and his wife Jeanne together, have three daughters and six grandchildren.