H. Gerald Murphy Jr., B. Mus.

Gerry began music studies as a young boy in Germany, where his family was stationed with the R.C.A.F.  He started learning the Accordion at 5 yrs, Organ at 8, and as soon as he was old enough to join, he began playing Euphonium with the Volunteer Band on the Air Base.  During high school he switched between Euphonium and Tuba.  After graduation Gerry auditioned for and was accepted into the R.C.A.F. as a musician.  Unfortunately his military career was short lived as the Bands were reduced in number due to government cut-backs.  Undaunted, he attended Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario where he completed a double-major on Tuba and Euphonium with honors in Conducting, Composition and Arranging.  In his third year at Queen's, Gerry was hired to conduct the Belleville Concert Brass Band, a post he held for 12 years.  After graduation he helped with the restoration of the Belleville Municipal Band, conducting that group for 8 years.  During that time he held the position of associate music teacher at Albert College, was “Conductor in Residence” for the Pinnacle Playhouse Music Theatre Co., toured the Hastings County Schools as part of the “Artist in the Classroom” programs and taught private lessons from his home studio.   Gerry moved to Oshawa, Ont. in 1999 and joined the Whitby Brass Band on Eb Tuba.  He held the position of principal tuba and was the director of the Junior Band program. In January of 2018 Gerry accepted the position of Conductor of the Pickering Community Concert Band.  He continues to teach privately, performs with various ensembles, local musical theater productions and in the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. In addition to working as the Brass Band representative for the Canadian Band Association, he is also a member of the North American Brass Band Association.