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

Handwritten music scores by Frank Wright, some in his hand.
1). 'The Merry Peasant' by Schumann and arranged in parts for brass band by Frank Wright - 3 pages. 2). 'Threshold' by Frank Wright -9 pages.
3). 'Around the Campfire' in parts - 10 pages.
4).'March (Judas Maccabaeus) by Handel and arranged by Frank Wright for the Boys Brigade (a) is written by Frank in pencil, (b) is written in pen with a brown paper cover.
5). 'Anthony & Cleopatra' arranged for the Boys Brigade (a) in written in pencil, (b) is written in pen.
6). 'O Give Me the Hills' written in pencil - 2 pages
7). 'Beneath this Turf' music by Frank Wright and words written in 1842 by Unknown Author - 3 pages.
8). 'If When that Hour Recalling' music by Frank Wright and poem by Thomas Moore, written in pen for 4 brass parts plus violin - 6 pages.
9). 'So Long', Brass Band arrangement by Frank Wright, written in pencil - 2 pages.
10). 'Gluck: March' arrangement by Frank Wright and written in pencil - 2 pages.
11). 'Occasional March' by Handel, arrangement by Frank Wright and written in pen - 5 pages (3 pages of band parts plus a separate Solo Cornet page).
12). 'Bugle Command: Ceremonial March for Bugles and Brass Band' written by Frank Wright - (a) 6 pages of bands parts plus a separate Solo Cornet page written in pen (b) 4 pages written in pencil and pen.
13). 'Scena' & 'Idyll' - Grade 4 Trombone written by Frank Wright in pen - 2 pages.
14). 'Green Corn' Brass Band arrangement by Frank Wright, written in pencil - 1 page.
15). 'Syrian Air' by Geoffrey Allen and arrangement by Frank Wright, with a buff cover (a) written in pencil - 2 pages (b) photo copy of parts - 2 pages (c) single sheet of music written in pencil, blue pen and red pen with some sections crossed out.
16). 'Gavotte: from the Opera "Rodrigo"' by Handel and arrangement by Frank Wright with a brown paper cover (a) 3 pages written in pencil (b) 3 pages written in pen.
17). 'Tales of Hoffman' arranged by Frank Wright for Brass Band 32 page printed booklet in a buff envelope.
18). 'Will Your Anchor Hold' arranged by Frank Wright for The Boy's Brigade - (a) 2 pages written in pencil with a buff cover plus a page with both pen and pencil notes (b) 2 pages written in pen plus a photo copied page for Solo Cornet.
19). Buff folder of 3 pieces of music written in pen - '1. Riverside', '2. Cenotaph' & '3. London Lights' - 7 pages.
20). 'Preludio Marziale (Martial Prelude)' by Frank Wright (a) written in pencil - 2 pages (b) written in pen - 7 pages (c) 7 page printed copy
21). 'Rondo Theme' (a) music written in pencil on the front of a buff envelope (b) 1 page written in pencil
22). Buff folder with two poems set to music by Frank Wright and written in pen - (a) 'My Heart and Lute' by Thomas Moore - 3 pages plus another 3 pages which may be part of this piece (b) 'The Rose' by Thos Croft (bart) - 3 pages. (c) a Musical Pitch Relation Chart for Pipe Organ.
23). 'Purcellian Suite', Purcell arranged by Frank Wright - 3 pages written in pencil and 4 photocopied pages
24). 'G's pl piano study 27/2/52

Inscriptions & markings

All hand written
8). Written in pencil on front - You can return this score. Keep parts. 9). Notes to musicians written in pen on page 1. 11). Notes to musicians in pencil on page 4. 13). a correction written in red pencil.