Historical information

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born on 2 August 1901. 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 later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. 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.

Physical description

1). Black and white photograph of a semicircular structure set amidst trees on the banks of a lake, with the reflection seen in the lake below. The structure is a concert bowl, with numerous spotlights on the ceiling lighting the stage area below. On the stage is a group of musicians playing. The place is the Concert Bowl in Kenwood, Hampstead, London. The musicians are the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Frank Wright.
2). Black and white newspaper clipping of the same scene with a caption. The newspaper is 'The British Bandsman'.

Inscriptions & markings

1). Written in pencil on back - Kenwood, Hampstead, London, c1969
2). Typed caption - A Remarkable Photograph.The many thousands of visitors to Kenwood, home of outdoor Concerts in Hampstead, London, will recognise the scene of the Concert Bowl, looking over the lake. Our photograph was taken on 7 June this year and shows the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Frank Wright. The music performed was Mr Wright's Prelidio Marziale and the occasion was the 100th performance at Kenwood.