U of S “Ukulele Guy” strikes a chord with campus crowd

Between classes, one U of S student is helping others on campus strike a happier note with daily ukulele performances in the tunnels. Carla Shynkaruk reports.

If you’ve walked through the lower University of Saskatchewan hallways under the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Centre, just outside the Arts Tunnel around midday, there’s a good chance you’ve heard it.

Stephane Gerard, known by many as “the Ukulele Guy” plays there most days, filling the hallway with music as students pass by.

“I would hope that there’s a sense of positivity that people walk away from — these five-second snippets where they walk past the column and they hear a random song,” Gerard told CTV News.

Gerard says playing there started as a personal outlet while he works toward his degrees — now continuing into a master’s in philosophy. But over time, he’s realized the music is doing more than just helping him.

“There’s a chance at connection. I think that that’s extraordinarily important,” he said.

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And for many students walking through the tunnels, the music has become a welcome part of their day.

“It’s a little pick-me-up. You walk because there’s no music playing around campus anywhere really, so you come down here and ‘the Ukulele Guy’ is a nice little boost to your day,” second-year business student Steven Klus, said.

Gerard says he doesn’t want to get in anyone’s way and isn’t near any classrooms. He just wants to add a little something positive to the day.

“You could be having a terrible day, and you would just walk by and it would just lighten your spirits. You come out of a class and you’re rushing, and it just makes you stop and appreciate,” third-year biomedical student Zach Adamko said.

Gerard also plays the piano but likes the convenience of the ukulele.

“When this is strapped to your backpack and you think, ‘Okay, I’m waiting around here doing nothing,’ you can just pick it up — and it’s there,” he said.

The location where he plays for about 90 minutes each day was chosen intentionally. The tunnel’s acoustics help the sound carry, turning a simple practice session into a small performance for anyone walking by.

Gerard has been playing regularly in the spot since after the pandemic.

“I’m very glad that it’s been noticed and appreciated,” Gerard said.

At times, other musicians have even joined in, including drums, a banjo and another ukulele, helping turn the hallway into an impromptu jam session — striking a chord with the campus community.