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

11 books of sheet music written by various composers but all arranged by Frank Wright.
1). 'Le Carnaval Romain' (The Roman Carnival) Overture by Berlioz for Solo B flat Cornet (Conductor).
2). 'Ida and Dot' Polka by F.H.Losey, for Soprano Cornet, 1st & 2nd Solo Cornet (Conductor), 3rd Cornet, Repiano B flat, 2nd Cornet, Solo Tenore E flat, 1st Tenor E flat, 2nd Tenor E flat, Euphonium B flat, Bass Trombone, 1st Baritone B flat, 2nd Baritone B flat, 1st Trombone, 2nd Trombone, Contre Bass E flat & Drums. The Pianoforte accompaniment was arranged by Frank Wright.
3). 'Trumpet Concerto' by Haydn. The Full Score with parts for a band of 25.
4). 'Diadem of Gold' Overture by G.Bailey for Solo B flat Cornet (Conductor).
5). 'The Frogs (of Aristophanes)' Overture for Solo B flat Cornet (Conductor), Short Score & Full Score arranged for brass band.
6). Variations of 'The Shining River' by Edmund Rubbra for Solo B flat Cornet (Conductor).
7). 'Le Roi D'Ys' (The King of Ys) Overture by Edouard Lalo for Solo B flat Cornet (Conductor).
8). 'Sovereign Heritage' Symphonic Overture by J.Beaver for Solo B flat Cornet (Conductor).
9). 'La Forza del Destino' (The Force of Destiny) Overture by Verdi - the Short Score.
10). 'Blackfriars' Symphonic Prelude by Edric Cundell - Short Score.
11). 'Diadem of Gold' Overture by G.Bailey - Short Score

Inscriptions & markings

1). Pencil markings on page 1,4,5 &6. 9). Written in pen on front cover - Mr Geoffrey Hosier. 10). Written in pen on title page - All good wishes F.W. 29.x.'55

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