Collection FW - Frank Wright, Scores and Programmes

Frank Wright (1901-1970), MBE, was born in Smeaton, Victoria, Australia. After becoming the Australian Cornet Champion, he took up conducting and adjudicating, officiating at the Australian Championships in 1932, and those in New Zealand in 1933. In 1934 he came to England for the first time, and the collection includes a letter from Joshua Duckworth Limited, a printing works in Colne, Lancashire, addressed to Wright at Australia House, London, expressing the hope that they will see him when he visits Colne in August 1934. In this first year in England he officiated at the Crystal Palace championship, and also conducted St. Hilda's professional band. Appointed as Music Director to London County Council's Parks Department at the beginning of 1935, there are several programmes in the collection showing events he organised, he went on to become a highly influential figure in the brass band movement in the post war years. In 1945 he was appointed Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring at the Guildhall School of Music and also became an examiner for the GSM diploma in Brand Band Conducting. He was editor of "The Conductor", the official magazine of the NABBC, from its first issue in July 1946, and also edited the book, "Brass Today", a compilation of essays about bands and the playing of brass instruments, published in 1957. He became a key figure in the National Brass Band Championships, adjudicating regularly, frequently being an associate conductor in the gala concerts, and composing and transcribing several test pieces. He was also an adjudicator at the Kerkrade World Music Festival (now the World Music Festival) from its inception in 1950 and every year until his death.. He received an MBE in 1966. In 1970 Wright withdrew from his adjudicating appointment at the National Finals due to ill health. Shortly after this he was elected Master of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, but died within days of the announcement of this honour and what was to have been his installation ceremony became, in effect, a memorial service.