One never knows when a genius could be lurking in the back of the band in the tuba section. That’s Ray Brooks. Not only is he a composer but he is also a poet. He recently wrote a beautiful number for the band titled “In His presence”. In 2005 he published a book of his poems “As seen through glass”.

Ray was born in Green’s Harbour, Trinity Bay in 1940. A son of Salvation Army officers, he grew up in various Newfoundland communities, graduating from the Salvation Army high school in Windsor in 1956.

After attending university for one year, he returned to Windsor and began his teaching career as a classroom teacher. Continuing his university studies, he received degrees in Education (1962) and Arts (1966) from Memorial University. He has held teaching positions at Peterview, Hare Bay (B.B.), Middle Brook (Gambo ), Grand Bank, St. John’s and Grand Falls-Windsor.

While teaching in St. John’s he pursued an interest in music. A student of Mrs. Carla Furlong and the late Dr. Eric Abbott, he received a Licentiate in Tuba performance from Trinity College of Music (1970). He continued further studies in Music theory and Brass pedagogy at Mount Allison University and completed a year’s study in Music history at the University of Toronto.

He received his Masters of Education degree from Boston University in 1975.

From 1971 until his retirement in 1992 he taught instrumental music at Grand Falls Academy.

He now resides in London, Ontario with his wife Elsie. They have a son Noel, daughter-in-law Trish and grand kids Andy and Lauren. They also have a daughter Nancy, son-in-law Jason and grandkids Brooke and Evan.

Jubilee Brass is blessed to have Ray in the Tuba section and a vital part of that fellowship of musicians.