1934 photo 5

William Charles Nicholls (December 30, 1891 – August 23, 1968) was a music teacher and the director of the Oakland Conservatory of Music and Drama.

Nicholls was born in Grass Valley, CA on December 30, 1891, to William S. Nicholls (1864 – 1934) and Elizabeth Jane Northey (Nicholls) (1870 – 1946). By 1915, William had moved to Oakland and was teaching music theory and harmony from 1255 - 1st. Avenue. 1

In 1919, he married Jeanne Anna Fennacy (Nicholls) (1897 – 1982). Their son Carl Ward Nicholls (1920 – 2016) was born in Oakland the following year. (NB: Carl Nicholls was also musically gifted, and was the uncle of Gene Anderson.) By 1930, William and Elizabeth had also adopted Wylie Hillis Nicholls (1924 – c.1966).

The family moved a lot:

Years Location Notes
1915-1917 1255 - 1st Ave. 1915 ad, 1 WWI draft card
1920 125 E15th St. 1920 census
1923-1924 1249 - 1st Ave. 1923 directory
1925 422 Broadway 1925 directory
1928 120 Fairview, Piedmont 1928 directory
1930 480 Lake Park 1930 census
1935 1816 Lakeshore Ave. 1935 directory
1940 417 Burk St. 1940 directory
1940-1942 3351 Mountain Blvd. 1940 census, WWII draft card
1950-1965 Palo Alto, CA 1950, 1965 directory

Both Carl and Wylie served in the U.S. Navy; Carl during WWII, and Wylie shortly after.

Carl Nicholls and Charlotte Anderson NichollsWiley Nicholls

William C. is interred in Palo Alto, but his parents William S. and Elizabeth Nicholls are buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

Career

Nicholls taught students in piano and vocal theory, some times from home, some times in a studio. In 1926, some of his piano students included Alda Nelson (Anderson) and her brother, Herman Nelson. A recital was held in Ebell Hall. 3

Nicholls family collection

But in September 1929, Nicholls organized the Oakland Conservatory of Music. 2 (NB: this was the second organization of this name.) Among the teachers was violinist Orley See, who founded the Oakland Symphony in 1933-1934.

It's unclear when the conservatory closed, but Nicholls continued teaching piano for many years; the 1965 directory lists him as a piano teacher living in Palo Alto. His sister Lyda May Nicholls (1894–1978) was organist of Santa Clara Methodist Church for 50 years. 4

Links and References

  1. classified ad Oakland Tribune June 22, 1915
  2. Music and Musicians Oakland Tribune January 13, 1929
  3. News of the Eastbay Music World Oakland Tribune April 25, 1926
  4. Local Happens Oakdale Leader March 16, 1950
  5. In Musical Feast Today Oakland Tribune December 23, 1934
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