J. Ord Hume
Born(1864-09-14)14 September 1864
Edinburgh, Scotland
Died25 November 1932(1932-11-25) (aged 68)
North London, England
Burial placeEdmonton, London cemetery
NationalityEnglish
Occupationmusician
Known forconductor and judge in brass band competitions
Notable workchief judge at the South Street Competitions in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Lieutenant James Ord Hume (14 September 1864 – 25 November 1932) was an English musician, remembered as a composer and arranger for brass bands, but in his time noted as a conductor and judge in brass band competitions.[1]

History

Hume was born in Edinburgh and joined the Royal Scots Guards in 1877. He played solo cornet with the Scots Greys in 1881, and left the army in 1887. While in the services he composed at least a hundred marches for military band,[2] and has been credited with 300 compositions over his lifetime.

He was, by invitation, chief judge at the South Street Competitions in Ballarat, Victoria in 1902, subsequently visiting Sydney and Adelaide.[3] He returned to Australia in 1924,[4] when he was accompanied by his wife.[5] He has been credited as the greatest single influence on the standard of Australian brass band performance.

He had a home in North London, where he died.

His remains were carried to Edmonton cemetery, accompanied by a massed band playing the "Dead March" from Saul and "Abide with Me", and interred to the strains of the hymns "Deep Harmony" and "The Angels' Song", Hume's last composition.[6]

Instrumentalist, composer, arranger, adjudicator, he will for ever be remembered as the greatest figure ever known in the brass band world.[2]

References

  1. ^ "South Street Band Competitions". The Ballarat Star. No. 14321. Victoria, Australia. 20 March 1902. p. 3. Retrieved 21 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b "Ord Hume's Death". The Mercury (Hobart). Vol. CXXXVIII, no. 20, 444. Tasmania, Australia. 15 February 1933. p. 3. Retrieved 21 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Mr J. Ord Hume". The Advertiser. Vol. XLV, no. 13, 797. South Australia. 7 January 1903. p. 7. Retrieved 21 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Noted Composer Dead". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 17, 373. Victoria, Australia. 18 January 1933. p. 5. Retrieved 21 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Bands and Bandsmen". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 12 January 1933. p. 14. Retrieved 21 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Composer's Death". The Barrier Miner. Vol. XLV, no. 13, 614. New South Wales, Australia. 28 January 1933. p. 1. Retrieved 21 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
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