Eric Wild (conductor)
Encyclopedia
Eric Lees Wild was a Canadian conductor
, trumpet
er, arranger
, and composer
.
, Wild studied conducting and arranging at the University of Michigan
where he earned a Bachelor of Music
in 1932. From 1933–1936 he worked as an arranger for the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission
in Toronto where he frequently collaborated with conductor Geoffrey Waddington. He toured to London as a member of Billy Bissett's Canadian Band in 1936–1938. During that time he also served as principal trumpeter and arranger for the BBC Symphony Orchestra
from 1936–1939.
Wild returned to Toronto in the autumn of 1939 to assume a conductiong position with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
. He left that post in 1942 to become music director of the revue Meet the Navy
where he remained through 1945. He then returned to CBC Toronto to conduct for the programs like the Wayne and Shuster Show
and The Alan Young Show
. From 1965–1977 he was music director of the CBC Television
program Hymn Sing
which featured a choir that occasionally performed arrangements and original music by Wild.
From 1947–1974 Wild was principal conductor of the CBC Winnipeg Orchestra
with whom he conducted premieres of several works by Canadian composers. He notably recorded Calixa Lavallée
's comic opera The Widow with the orchestra in 1967. He also served as the music director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet
from 1955–1962. He died in Osprey, Florida
at the age of 79.
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
er, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
, and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
.
Life and career
Born in Sault Ste. Marie, OntarioSault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie is a city on the St. Marys River in Algoma District, Ontario, Canada. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, after Sudbury and Thunder Bay, with a population of 74,948. The community was founded as a French religious mission: Sault either means "jump" or "rapids" in...
, Wild studied conducting and arranging at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
where he earned a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
in 1932. From 1933–1936 he worked as an arranger for the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission
Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission
The Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission was Canada's first public broadcaster and the immediate precursor to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.-Origins:...
in Toronto where he frequently collaborated with conductor Geoffrey Waddington. He toured to London as a member of Billy Bissett's Canadian Band in 1936–1938. During that time he also served as principal trumpeter and arranger for the BBC Symphony Orchestra
BBC Symphony Orchestra
The BBC Symphony Orchestra is the principal broadcast orchestra of the British Broadcasting Corporation and one of the leading orchestras in Britain.-History:...
from 1936–1939.
Wild returned to Toronto in the autumn of 1939 to assume a conductiong position with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
. He left that post in 1942 to become music director of the revue Meet the Navy
Meet the Navy
Meet the Navy was a musical revue produced by the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II. Directed by Hollywood producer Louis Silver and Broadway choreographer Larry Ceballos, the production premiered in a private performance for servicemen on 2 September 1943 at Toronto's Victoria Theatre. The...
where he remained through 1945. He then returned to CBC Toronto to conduct for the programs like the Wayne and Shuster Show
Wayne and Shuster
Wayne and Shuster were a Canadian comedy duo formed by Johnny Wayne and Frank Shuster. They were active professionally from the early 1940s until the late 1980s....
and The Alan Young Show
The Alan Young Show
The Alan Young Show is an American radio and television series presented in diverse formats over a nine-year period and starring Canadian-English actor Alan Young.-Radio:...
. From 1965–1977 he was music director of the CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
program Hymn Sing
Hymn Sing
Hymn Sing was a television series produced in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada for CBC Television. The program featured hymns, spirituals, and inspirational music sung by a sixteen voice choir.The show's musical directors were:*Eric Wild...
which featured a choir that occasionally performed arrangements and original music by Wild.
From 1947–1974 Wild was principal conductor of the CBC Winnipeg Orchestra
CBC Winnipeg Orchestra
The CBC Winnipeg Orchestra was a Canadian orchestra based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that was operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for 37 years. The orchestra mainly performed on CBC Radio, but also occasionally performed live concerts in Winnipeg. It was established in 1947 under the...
with whom he conducted premieres of several works by Canadian composers. He notably recorded Calixa Lavallée
Calixa Lavallée
Calixa Lavallée, , born Calixte Lavallée, was a French-Canadian-American musician and Union officer during the American Civil War who composed the music for O Canada, which officially became the national anthem of Canada in 1980.-Biography:Calixa Lavallée was born at Verchères, a suburb of...
's comic opera The Widow with the orchestra in 1967. He also served as the music director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Royal Winnipeg Ballet
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is Canada's oldest ballet company and the longest continuously operating ballet company in North America....
from 1955–1962. He died in Osprey, Florida
Osprey, Florida
Osprey is a census-designated place in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,143 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bradenton–Sarasota–Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
at the age of 79.