Eric Wild (conductor)

Eric Lees Wild (11 February 191029 April 1989) was a Canadian conductor, trumpeter, arranger, and composer. He was the youngest child of Isaac Ashton Wild (18711963) and Sarah Ann Wild () (18741971) who emigrated from Lancashire, England in 1901. Life and career Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Wild studied conducting and arranging at the University of Michigan where he earned a Bachelor of Music in 1932. From 193336 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 193638. During that time, he also served as principal trumpeter and arranger for the BBC Symphony Orchestra 193639, and appeared with his own band on BBC Television. As a member of Billy Bissett’s band, Billy Bissett and His Canadians, Wild travelled to Monaco to perform at the International Sporting Club resort casino in Monte Carlo. The band was then booked at Savoy Hotel, London in 1936 and The May Fair Hotel, London in 1936 and 1937. In 1937 Wild was offered his own programme on the BBC, Eric Wild and the Tea-Timers, which was the first television