Photographic portrait of Arthur Oakes Pearce. 1872-1951

Framed photographic print of Arthur Oakes Pearce who was a bandmaster /conductor of the Black Dyke Brass Band from 1912 to 1948

In 1933 Arthur celebrated 21 years as Black Dyke’s bandmaster and during that time had led the band to winning over £16,000 in prize money, including 29 challenge trophies, 14 instruments, 39 gold medals, 35 silver medals. The band was placed first on 18 occasions, second on 19 occasions, third 5 times and fourth 5 times. Included in this remarkable record was winning the World’s Championship once and second 4 times, two years in succession the £1,500 Gold Shield at Glasgow when each player was also awarded a gold medal, the £250 challenge bowl at Newcastle twice in succession, Firhill, Glasgow in 1931 when they won the International Contest Challenge Cup and £100.

Under Arthur O. Pearce the band had an unprecedented success on the contest platform but the band were also carrying out an equally unprecedented number of prestigious concerts the length and breadth of the country a number which has been estimated to have been between 100 and 150 annually. In the summer 1933 he led the band on a 4000 mile tour