Historical information
This music was used by Frank Wright who had been tutored by Percy Code. Frank Wright won the Australian Open Cornet Championship using this music, and won the gold medal for the highest mark in the British Colonies.
Percy Code was born in Melbourne on 03 July 1888. He started learning the violin and piano at the age of eight. Three years later his father, Edward, started tutoring him on the cornet. His first competition was in October 1902 in Ballarat's South Street Competitions.
Percy Code was Musical Director of Ballarat City Brass Band from 1913 until 1921. He was Frank Wright's teacher. Code apparently lived in a large house just west of where St Peter's church (Ballarat) now stands. Percy Code toured the world as principal cornet with the 'Besses o' th' Barn Band.' He returned to Australia in 1912.
Frank Wright at one stage rode his pushbike from Smeaton to Ballarat for lessons.
Leaving Australia for America in March 1921 Percy Code obtained an appointment as trumpet soloist for the 70 piece San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.
He returned home two years later and became bandmaster to the Prahran City Band in 1925. From 1938, as part of Australia's Sesqui Centenary celebrations, Percy Code conducted the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for the ABC orchestral concerts in Sydney Town Hall. His career with the ABC came to an end in late 1951 due to poor health.
Percy Code died on 17 October 1953.
From 'Legend in Brass' with additions from Bob Pattie of the Ballarat Brass Band.
Physical description
11071.1 Four cream pages containing handwritten title page in front, two sheet music pages inside and blank back cover.
11071.2 Eight cream pages containing front page typed title with handwritten text at top, Six pages of sheet music cream pages, with parts for piano and cornet, with black printed notes. A photograph of the composer Mr Percy Code is glued into the first page at the top left hand corner. The back cover page has advertisements for four music albums from Allan & Co. Prop. Ltd.
Inscriptions & markings
.1) Front page handwritten in blue pen and pencil. Hand written notations in pencil for cornet throughout sheet music pages.
Frank Wright Smeaton 15 July 1919 in top right hand corner; Champion Bb cornet solo South Street 1919 in top left hand corner.
Under title on front page: Handwritten notes in pencil giving results of competition and judge's comments.
2) Frank H. Wright Smeaton 15/7/1919 handwritten in top left hand corner. "With Compliments Percy Code 15/7/1919 written diagonally in blue pen in at right hand top.
