Chief Petty Officer Pierre Cayer

CPO2 Cayer was born in Montréal, Québec. Through his music appreciation classes in school, he heard the oboe and English horn for the first time, and was instantly drawn to them. He studied oboe at the province of Québec Music Conservatory where he earned a First Prize in Oboe and a First Prize in Chamber Music. He continued his studies in Europe, spending two years at the Rotterdam Music Conservatory in the Netherlands, where he obtained a soloist Diploma. Upon his return from Europe, he worked as a freelance musician in and around Montréal, playing oboe with various orchestras and chamber ensembles, and teaching.

In 1987, at age 30, he joined the Canadian Forces, with no previous military experience. His first posting was with the Central Band of the Canadian Forces in Ottawa Ontario. During his ten years with the air force in Ottawa, he also completed a Masters Degree in Performance from McGill University in Montreal.

In 1997, he changed environment and was posted to the Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific in Victoria, British Columbia. In 1999 he was promoted to Petty Officer First Class. During his time in Victoria, he performed regularly with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra and the Palm Court Orchestra, as well as teaching oboe at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. In his spare time, he became an avid sailor and enjoyed training and competing in triathlons.

In 2008, following another change of environment, he was promoted to Master Warrant Officer and appointed Band Sergeant-Major of The Royal Canadian Artillery Band.

In July 2009, CPO2 Cayer returned to the Navy and was posted back to Esquimalt as the Naden Band Chief. His wife Laura is a freelance cellist and is on faculty at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. His two sons, Gabriel and Charles, play violin and cello, respectively.