Historical information

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 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

A series of 11 black and white photographs and one paper receipt. 1,2,4 & 8 are of Frank Wright conducting a large orchestra on a stage, the front of which is dressed in gathered fabric with floral tributes along its length. In the foreground the audience can be seen and the background of the stage is black with four white frames containing floral bouquets. The roof with large square lights can also be seen. 9-11 are front views of Frank Wright holding his baton and conducting the orchestra. In the foreground, the rear of the head of a violinist can be seen and in the background the audience can be seen fading out of sight in the darkness of the theatre. 3,6 & 7 are of Frank Wright with various groups of people at a reception. In two he is seated and in one he is standing. He is holding a glass of wine in two and has a plate, napkin and cutlery in the other. 5 is a photo of Frank White inspecting the cornet of a uniformed, young man who is part of a brass band. They are standing with the band in an outdoor venue with an audience seated on tiered rows in the background. 12 is a printed black ink on white paper receipt on which is the handwriting is in blue ink. It is for the cost of the photographs.

Inscriptions & markings

Printed on the back of photographs - Copy-right, Jo Pottgens, Old Hickoryplein 4, Kerkrade