Gary Cooper

From Glengarryceltic

Gary Cooper has lived all of his life near Metcalfe, Ontario. His parents were involved in a group of family members and friends who regularly sang and played fiddles, guitars and the piano throughout the community. Three uncles as well as his father played the fiddle. In time Gary became actively involved and played for house parties and dances. Much of his early musical experience was in singing and playing the guitar but he was able to play the fiddle for square dances and waltzes.

Bruce Ross, a cousin, and Bruce’s father, Reuben, would come to visit and provided Gary’s first exposure to the Glengarry style of fiddling. Later on, he began to attend practices of the Glengarry Strathspey and Reel Society. The handing out of written music at these sessions prompted him to teach himself to read music and to learn the tunes. He appeared for some years as a member of this group.

The Cooper family continues to be a very musical one. Gary’s wife, Doris, accompanies him on the piano, their daughter, Cheryl, is an accomplished vocalist and guitarist and their son, Cory, is a fiddler with a tremendous “ear” for music.

Gary was employed with the Department of Agriculture in Ottawa but is now retired. An avid outdoorsman, he has named his composition “Trip to Griffith” for one of his many trips to the family cottage on Centennial Lake.