Terry Dwayne Geates

1958 -

Terry Geates, a saxophonist and conductor, taught music at three academies for over a decade. He now directs music ensembles as needed while maintaining a piano tuning business.

Terry was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, and raised on a farm until his teenage years, the younger of two sons of Robert and Mildred Whipps Geates. Music was an important activity in the home, with both sons taking piano lessons beginning at an early age and progressing through several levels.

When he was twelve, his mother, who was a skilled secretary, became Director of Admissions and Records at Canadian Union College, now Canadian University College, and Terry began study on a number of instruments in grade school, choosing saxophone as his preferred instrument as he entered academy.

He was a member of music ensembles all through high school and college, playing under Bruce Kuist and studying saxophone with him while in the academy. Terry particularly enjoyed the teaching and mentoring provided by Curtis Wolfe at CUC, and in making music with and working for him as a college student developed an enduring and rewarding friendship that continues to this time. He also was inspired by the teaching and choral leadership of Wendolin Munroe.

After starting study at CUC, Terry transferred to Walla Walla College, now University, in the fall of 1979 to pursue a degree in music, since that was not possible at CUC. At the end of the fall quarter, upon his return home for Christmas break, he learned that CUC would be offering a degree in music. He stayed at CUC and became one of the first persons to complete a degree in education with a music specialization there, with saxophone as his performing area. Most of his study in the instrument was done at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

During his senior year at CUC, Terry taught music at nearby Red Deer Adventist Academy, directing its band and choir. After graduating in 1982, he married Brenda Lukinuk, a musician who had sung in the choir, studied voice extensively under Munroe, and taken piano under Hiroko Kojima Sheppard and Charles Pierce. An accomplished pianist, she would subsequently successfully complete examinations through grade ten in piano, theory, and music history through the Royal Conservatory of Toronto program.

Following graduation, Geates became the music teacher at Chinook Winds Academy where he taught for the next five years. In 1987 he and Brenda moved to Grandview, British Columbia, where he directed the music program at both North Okanagan Jr. Academy and at Okanagan Academy, joining the programs when concerts were presented. At the end of five years, he started a piano tuning service in Okanagan but also continued to teach mostly woodwind and some brass lessons privately for a year.

The business, Precision Piano Service, prospered and by 1993 was providing a living for the Geates family. Since leaving NOJA, he has on occasion returned to the school to temporarily assist in the music program, directing its band or choir as needed.

Brenda also teaches private piano lessons and prepares students for Toronto Conservatory Examinations up through grade nine. The Geates have two children, Lyndon Bryce, a violinist who is attending CUC and majoring in psychology, and Amber Coralee, a singer and trombonist. A recent academy graduate, she is interested in possibly pursuing a career in animal husbandry, particularly in caring for dogs and horses.

　
ds/2012

Source: Information provided by Terry Geates, June 2012; Interview in August, 2012.