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). This includes the original thirty-one page handwritten Full Military Band Score of 'Sirius, Diversions on an Original Theme' arranged by Frank Wright. It was written in pen in small, neat writing.
2). There is also a copied Full Orchestral Score, which was originally hand written in the style of the era.
3). As well there are two distinct copies of all the printed parts for the music, one in portrait by Boosey & Hawkes Brass Band Journal
4). and the other in landscape by Molenaar.
5). The Molenaar edition also includes one large buff coloured edition of the printed music,
6). one blue covered printed edition of the music
7). and four small paper copies of the music.
8). Lastly is a hand written note from Frank Wright showing all the instruments used in this piece.

Inscriptions & markings

The original score is handwritten as is the note 'Parts of Sirius'