musicscores

Uncle John the composer I have several times referred to Ireland’s Uncle John Henry Nicholson, the older brother of the composer’s mother Annie. John emigrated to Australia and became known as a teacher and writer. However, he also turned his hand to a certain type of composing, namely patriotic songs. Several were published, with John providing words and melody only, one of the most commercially successful being Sons of Britannia. This song was much reviewed and very popular, praised for its inspiring sentiment, sonorous ring, and ‘valuable addition to what may be termed the literature of Anglo-Saxon unity’ (Brisbane Observer, 15 December 1898). This unity is seen in the splendid cover created for the song. Described as a ‘federation song’, it was ahead of its time, as the official Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act was only formalized on 1 January 1901. Other songs in a similar vein included Rouse, Australians! and Sunrise. Source: johnirelandmusicpeopleplaces.wordpress.com/tag/john-henry...

Leila Ruth Rowland was a pianist born in the family home on Bazaar Street in Maryborough, Qld on 23rd September 1879. She was known for her Burnett Waltz for piano. Source: "A Chronological History of Australian Composers and Their Compositions 1901 ..." By Stephen Pleskun, 2021

Fred Whaite - Composer, librettist, music director, musician. The son of Harry Whaite, one of Australia's leading scenic artists during the late 1890s and early twentieth century, Fred Whaite established himself in the Australian variety industry as a music director and composer. He studied piano as a youth under Henri Kowalski and gained his orchestral training with Gustave Slapoffski. Showing an early liking for operatic composition, he was encouraged and assisted by J. C. Williamson's music director Andrew MacCunn and Thomas A. Ricketts. Two of his earliest compositions to be published were 'The Coronation: Grand Galop de Concert' (1907) and 'Golden Wattle Schottische' (ca. 1909). Between 1906 and 1909 Whaite was largely associated with the British Pianoforte Depot in Sydney, being engaged as the society's pianist for its series of regular Apollo recitals. Although much of Whaite's career during the remainder of the 1920s is still to be determined, it is believed that he remained with the Fullers until 1929, at which time he joined the ABC as a music arranger and performer. Between 1930 and 1934, for example, he regularly appeared as a novelty pianist on Sydney stations 2FC and 2BL, with these often being relayed around the country on the ABC network. The 1930s also write and direct the music for a number of radio dramas - notably The Tin Soldier (1931, musical comedy) and Waratah (1931, pantomime) - as well as leading his own radio vaudeville company and orchestra. In addition to this, he collaborated (as composer) on the Clipper and Brown comedy detective radio series with author John 'Jock' Macleod. Fred Whaite remained with the ABC until his retirement in 1962. He died in 1964. Known to have written countless songs throughout his career, at least twenty-five songs are known to have been published, including 'Rose of My Dreams' (1924), 'My Wollondilly Home' (1925, with John Moore), 'Into the Barrel' (1940, which he dedicated to the Red Cross), 'In-doo-roo-pilly' (1940, with Billy Maloney), 'I'm Cutting up the Rainbow' (ca. 1947), and 'The Little Green Wood' (1953, with John Wheeler). Whaite also reportedly wrote two radio plays in collaboration with S. D. Douglas - Kabula Love Song and Moon. Source: www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/A112240

Bohemia Theatre and Stadium This opened in March 1923 as a live theatre venue with a performance of ‘Mr. Rawdon Blandford’s ‘Classics of 1923’’. By the end of the decade, the theatre was struggling in the face of the thriving cinema industry, and during the 1930s the lease was held by Greater Brisbane Amusement, whose policy was not to compete with the neighboring Cremorne Theatre. The Bohemia was then predominantly used as a wrestling and boxing venue known as ‘Bohemia Stadium’. The last bouts appear to have taken place there in April 1940. In 1947 it was taken over by the Brisbane City Council and leased out for use as a depot and store before being demolished in 1954 to make way for a car park fronting Stanley and Grey streets. Source: mappingbrisbanehistory.com.au/history-location/bohemia-th...