Popular teacher left USS a musical legacy

Ants Sulev, the head of the Uxbridge Secondary School music department from 1975 - 1990, passed away last month. Photo from Facebook

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ants Sulev, a popular former music teacher who led the Uxbridge Secondary School music program for 15 years, has passed away.

Sulev reportedly passed on May 23 at his home in Sault Ste. Marie. He was born in Tallinn, Estonia, on May 22, 1939. According to his son, Tarmo, Sulev and his younger brother came to Canada as displaced refugees in 1946. His father was killed during the Second World War.

A well-known figure in the local and Estonian-Canadian communities, Ants Sulev was highly regarded for developing the music program and bringing the USS Concert Band to regional prominence. Prior to his time at USS, Sulev was a music director at Riverdale Collegiate Institute in Toronto. Outside of his teaching career, he was also recognized for playing in the Ants Sulev orchestra, which provided music for community dances.

Steffan Brunette, founder of the Uxbridge Community Concert Band (UCCB), remembered Sulev continuing in the music field after he retired from USS. Sulev was head of the music department at USS from 1975 to 1990.

"He still really wanted to have a hand in making music and (formed) the Uxbridge Wind Ensemble as a Fall/Winter companion to the summer UCCB concerts," said Brunette. "He valued seeing his alumni returning on their instruments. He never forgot the glory days of the massive 90-piece bands that USS was well-known for in the ‘80s."

The USS Concert Band from the early ‘80s, one of Ants Sulev’s epically large bands.

Photo from Facebook, originally done by Terry Paul

Brunette said the music room at USS still bears the imprint of Sulev.

"He designed it, insisted on certain features, including the floor plan etched into the tile, and the wiring of the room for rehearsal recordings that he could start with a push of a button on his special podium tape-deck. The man was ahead of his time in that!"

Sulev was known throughout the region for his strict and exacting work ethic when it came to both the classroom and his band practices. In his time at USS, he formed training bands for instrumentalists in grades 9 and 10, the famed concert bands, marching bands, and smaller stage bands. During the ‘80s, the marching band was a regular feature at parades and events throughout the Region of Durham and beyond, and the concert band often numbered up to 90 players at a time. In 1980, the bands even produced a record entitled “An Evening of Music 1980” under Sulev’s guidance.

Brunette said Amy Peck, who now runs the USS music program, was among the students who thrived under Sulev.

A gathering in memory of Ants Sulev's life and contributions will be held at 169 Hanna Road, Leaside, on June 27 between 2 and 5 p.m.