Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was appointed in 1934 as the Musical Director of the London County Council (the GLC or Greater London Council), where he organized many amazing concerts in most of the 150 parks, in and around the London district. He was also responsible for some of London’s major concerts at Kenwood, the Crystal Palace and Holland Park. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and Conducting and was a Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. Frank was awarded an M.B.E. in 1967. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Printed 64 page booklet with the front cover printed in navy blue and black. The rest is printed in black. The booklet is the Draft Report of the National Music Conference of November 18-21 1960, entitled 'Music in Britain - Today and Tomorrow'. It was sponsored by the National Music Council of Great Britain. In Commission 5, Frank Wright is the Rapporteur for the session entitled 'Music for Amateurs'. Inside the front cover is a newspaper article from The Guardian, Monday 21 November 1960, in which Frank Wright is quoted when speaking at the conference.Written in pencil on front cover - 49 F.W.; pencil markings on pages 50 & 51.frank wright, national music conference, national music council of great britain, music in britain today and tomorrow draft report

Eight page theatre program of 'This Will Be the Place' Melbourne Legacy Display held at the Garrick Theatre Friday 9th November 1934, 28th - 29th November 1934. The revue was conceived, written and composed by Legacy Club. It related five chapters in Victoria's history from the first 100 years following the career of a family of pioneers from 1835 through various generations. Includes the story of the play, a genealogical tree of the White family, summaries of the program including music, skits and tableau. Proceeds for welfare work among the sons and daughters of deceased soldiers. The performance on the 9th November was performed for delegates that had come to Melbourne for the annual National Conference as well as the public. A second copy was found with autograph signatures on the back cover. Both copies kept.A record that Melbourne Legacy was involved in promoting cultural events as a way of raising funds for their work as early at 1934.Eight page theatre program of Melbourne Junior Legacy Display 'This Will Be the Place'.Back cover is signed in pencil with autographs.fundraising, gala performance

Newspaper cutting from Bendigo Advertiser, dated Saturday, December 3, 1988 - Page 14. Photo on left is captioned: ABOVE: John Meredith and Peter Ellis prepare traditional dance music for the National Library archives. Top right picture is captioned: ABOVE: Peter Ellis plays and 80-year-old celluloid penny whistle. Ellis' 'Collector's Choice' will be launched today at the National Trust chambers in View St at 3 pm. LEFT: Peter Ellis demonstrates the one string fiddle and collection of various instruments. Article reads: Duo's work an insight to music over the years. Local musical identity and Australian social dance authority Peter Ellis, co-author of the Bicentennial publication 200 Dancing Years, has completed his series on dance music entitled 'Collector's Choice'. Noted Australian folklorist John Meredith will launch volume three of Collector's Choice today at the National Trust chambers in View St at 3 pm. A photographic display by John Meredith can be seen at the chambers between 2pm and 5pm. The display is called Pioneers of Performers and it exhibits a cross section of traditional musicians from all over Australia. Fifty superb black and white toned prints will also be on display. John Meredith is one of Australia's foremost folklorists and has many publications to his credit including Folk Songs of Australia, Frank the Poet and The Wild Colonial Boy. Peter and John have just returned from the third national folklore conference in Canberra. Collector's Choice has more than 300 popular tunes written in a clear single melody line with guitar chords provided. Forty different dances are represented with music including the Pride of Erin, Parma Waltz, Evening Three-step, Swing Waltz, Barn Dance, Progressive Jive and Old Time Medley. A detailed introduction provides handy advice on choice, presentation and suitable tunes plus historical details on the evolvement of colonial, modern ballroom, old time and new vogue dances and music. Illustrations on the social history of the bands and individual musicians can be found throughout the book. Bendigo bands of old which are illustrated including Cyril Sawyer's Swingsters. As part of the launch the Sandhurst Dance Club will host a free dance from 8pm at the Marong Public Hall.Bendigo advertiserperson, individual, peter ellis oam