Identity area
Reference code
GB GB1179 FW
Title
Frank Wright, Scores and Programmes
Date(s)
- 1934-1989 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
3 series
Context area
Name of creator
(1901-1970)
Biographical history
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.
Repository
Archival history
The source and date of acquisition of these letters is not known.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Scores, programmes, news cuttings and correspondence relating to Frank Wright, conductor, donated as a gift of the Estate of Dr John Hosier, CBE, Court Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
GB1179
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Final
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Hopperh, 23/10/2008. Revised by Roberthe, 02/12/2011