William Cade

William Richard Cade (30 June 1883 – 4 August 1957), also known as Bill Cade, was an Australian violinist and conductor, the founding conductor of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

History Cade was born in Adelaide and educated at the Pulteney Street School (now Pulteney Grammar School).

He studied at the Elder Conservatorium from 1899 to 1909, under Hermann Heinicke. He returned to Adelaide in 1912 and married that year. For the next 16 years he was associated with J. C. Williamson's company, while also conducting cinema orchestras In 1929 he moved to Melbourne to lead the Regent and Plaza Theatres' orchestras, conducting over 7,000 times, and also became conductor of the Victorian Professional Symphony Orchestra, a group of 80 players. In 1929 he formed the Adelaide Wireless Chorus (later renamed the Adelaide Singers). it was increased in size by merging with players from the defunct South Australian Orchestra, and renamed the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. He led the orchestra for the next 12 years, until retiring in 1948. During this time he also conducted other Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) orchestras around Australia. After retirement he was appointed an Honorary Life Member of the Australian Musicians Union.

Cade died in his home town in 1957, aged 74. He and his wife had three daughters.