Chris Helme - Sunday Bandstand 14 August 2016

Sunday Bandstand 14 August 2016

James Oliver b:1872 - d: 1950 will be forever linked to the St Hilda Colliery Band where he was the conductor for 22 years. He was born in Haswell in County Durham, England. Early tuition was by his father, a noted local conductor. His first band as a 'learner' in 1895 was the Murton Colliery Band. 

Conducting success came with the Felling Colliery Band, in 1910 he was appointed the bandmaster of St Hilda's. It was his determination that was to develop this band from a second section band to the highest level. 

He took the St Hilda band to five top section championship prizes at the Crystal Palace along with many other awards. Another high point was the band's command performance given to the King and Queen and other members of the royal family.

 During his conducting career he was guest conductor and professional conductor to other bands at many contests. He was also a respected adjudicator. 

On this week's show he is conducting St Hilda's on a 1923 track.

Playlist 14 August 2016

Rhythm and Blues – Philip Sparke - Opening for weekly show Foden's Band MD: Michael Fowles - 2010

The Black Knight - William Rimmer - Boobs and Brass with Friends MD: John Hudson - 2011

Celebration Overture - Martin Cordner - Sunderland and Monkwearmouth SA Band BM: Nicholas Hall - 2009

Forty Shillings - Andy Cook - United Co-op Yorkshire Brass Band MD: John Roberts - 2004

Weber's Last Waltz (The Fairy Waltz - Carl Gottlieb Reissiger) William Rimmer Arr: Hugh Parry - Euphonium Soloist Glyn Williams with the Fodens Band MD: Michael Fowles - 2012

Iolanthe Selection - Arthur Sullivan Arr: Drake Rimmer - Black Dyke Mills Band MD: Roy Newsome - 1968

Salut d'Amour - Sir Edward Elgar - Cornet Soloist Derek M. Garside with the CWS (Manchester) Band MD: Alex Mortimer - 1959

Prelude To Scene 1 from Swan Lake - Tchaikovsky Arr: David Hirst - Brighouse and Rastrick Band MD: David Hirst - 2002

Landscape and Journey - Concert Overture for Brass Band - Alan Fernie - Black Dyke Band MD: Dr. Nicholas Childs - 2009

Irresistible March - William Rimmer - Rhyl Silver Band MD: Nigel Birch - 2003

William Tell Overture - Rossini Arr: Gregor Grant - Grimethorpe Colliery Band MD: Garry Cutt - 1998

River of Pearls - waltz - William Rimmer - The Luton Band MD: Albert Coupe - 1969

The Flying Dutchman - Richard Wagner Arr: Keith Wilkinson - GUS (Footwear) Band MD: Keith Wilkinson - 1983

Arizona Belle - William Rimmer - Cornet Soloist Morven Gilchrist with the Foden's Courtois Band MD: Elgar Howarth - 1999

Ad Astra – Jacob Vilhelm Larsen - Tredegar Town Band MD: Ian Porthouse – 2013

Yesterday Once More - John Bettis & Richard Carpenter Arr: Alan Fernie - CWS (Glasgow)Band MD: Frank Renton - 1996

In Dixieland - William Rimmer Arr: Simon Kerwin - Euphonium Soloist Mike Kilroy with the Marple Band MD: Garry Cutt - 1999

Pat in America - Hiram Eden aka William Rimmer - St Hilda Colliery Band MD: James Oliver - March 1923 (Year of original recording)

Brass Attack - Darrol Barry - Cory Band MD: Dr. Robert Childs - 2008

North Star - William Rimmer - Hammonds Sauce Works Band MD: Geoffrey Whitham - 1969

Rhythm and Blues – Philip Sparke - Closing for weekly show Foden's Band MD: Michael Fowles - 2010

3 comments

Lorna Lucas nee OLIVER - Wednesday, 13 October 2021

I am also his great granddaughter. We have a beautiful medal, a watch inscribed with his name and lots of 78s which we bought about 15 years ago.
Pauline Moverley nee Oliver - Monday, 19 October 2020

This is my grandfather and I lived with him as a child. I have some sheet music, a baton, books photographs and a record. Harriets family and one of Isabell's grandsons are the only ones to keep the tradition alive. Thank you. Pauline Oliver
Harriet Oliver - Sunday, 20 October 2019

Hello, I am the great grand daughter of James oliver and would love to here any other recordings you have of his bands.
Many Thanks
Harriet Oliver
Ps: we have kept up the brass tradition mu sister plays trombone, I played the euphonium and his great great grandchildren play the cornet.