Jack Major - Music fame

Does anyone remember the music school near to the Godiva Hotel where Jack Major was the teacher. My dad played in a brass band (late 60s, early 70s). This story may have a link with the topic on the band that played at the Hippodrome (Your Memories, Band life with Derick Parsons). Jack Major lived in Browns Lane until his death in the late 70's, early 80's. My sister has an old 78 rpm record of the band where my dad did a solo piece. When she can dig it out, I will tell you the band's name. Jack did the conducting work and was a well known person in the brass band world.

Assuming that it is the same Jack Major, he taught me (without success) at both Moseley Avenue School - remember the hut on the Holyhead Road - in the early 1950s and at the new Woodlands School from 1954. As well as the Coventry School of Music I believe Jack and his brother were involved with the Salvation Army Band.

Hey Heritage, I remember that hut, Beaumont Crescent, if I remember correctly. It took two classes, and we had to walk up Moseley Avenue to the main school for dinner. My teacher, just before I left, was Mr. McClelland (I think that is how you spelt it). More happy days.

Hello Dreamtime, I loved being taught in that hut, away from the rest of the school. Had Miss Morgan left when you were there?

I think the music school is the same as mentioned in the Schools and Education sub folder, Coventry School of Music. My sister has not got back to me with the name of the band, but reading some of the posts, my dad may have been in the Marching Band (red and black uniforms). Jack Major also had a uniform like that. We lived not far from him down Browns Lane, and he would come to our house. I didn't play, I was only around 10 at the time.

Hello again, Miss Morgan rings a bell - not very loud though. I remember the little fire with the fire guard round it. There was always something draped drying out on there!!!!! Sorry all but this has nothing to do with Jack Major, just us 'old schoolies' reminiscing.

I remember the music school not far from the Godiva Hotel and behind St. Osburg's (I think). I used to have accordion lessons there. Does anyone know when it was demolished.

It was the former St John's School at the junction of Gloucester Street and Dover Street and still survives as the headquarters of a software company. Unfortunately there are now bars on all the windows and other embellishments which detract from its original appearance.

There used to be small practice rooms on the side near the ring road and you could hire these very cheaply in the 70s although I seem to remember that amplified instruments were not permitted.

Two photographs from 1959 showing Jack Major. One (poor image) is with the Coventry Festival Band at the Memorial Park. I remember the clinic, long time ago.

Hello all. First off let me say a big thank you to all that shared their memories of this man, and helped me to piece together what and where he worked. It is over 20 years now after my father passed on, and I have found a picture of him in his youth and in band uniform. The band was the Coventry Festival Band, and conducted by Jack Major. Jack being the chap on the far left, and my dad highlighted in red. The Festival Band are still going strong and have there own website. It brings a tear to my eye to see him enjoying what he loved to do. I don't have many pictures of him when he was younger, and so it was great to see him.

I never knew his name was Jack. He was always 'Pop' Major to us at the Woodlands when I started there in '65. Nice man. Taught us the Siamese National Anthem (you know the one - Oh Wha Ta Na Siam ).

I knew him well. His name was John Ryland Major and he led the Coventry School of Music Brass Band. He and his family lived in a bungalow in Lythalls Lane before they moved to a detached house in Browns Lane. He and his wife were both teachers and in the late forties and early fifties my mother kept their bungalow clean. His son, John, and I were friends, spending many hours with our Dinky Toy collection in the garden. On one occasion, we decided to build a "fort" on the roof of the garage, which was located at the far end of the garden. I got onto the roof and we attempted to haul a concrete fence post up. John gave a shove and I pulled, stepped back and fell off the roof into some bramble bushes in the access lane to the garage. Fortunately, the post did not drop on either of us! Luckily, Mrs. Major was at home and took care of the myriad scratches on my arms and legs, remonstrated with both of us and made us promise to stay off the garage roof. Mr. M. also gave me music lessons at their house, first on the piano and then, when that failed, on the Flugel Horn - also to no avail. Happy memories.

I remember Pop Major too, took us for Music at Woodlands. I remember auditioning for the school choir and being told that I had made it through the audition. I did my best to sing badly but still made it, but then had to explain to Mr Major why I didn't want to be in the choir.