The conductor, educator, and composer Al Wright was born in London, England, and attended public school in Pontiac, Michigan. He earned bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Miami in Florida. While in Florida he served as director of the Miami Senior High School Band and Symphony Orchestra, co-directed the Orange Bowl half-time show, and served as President of the Florida Orchestra Association, the Florida Bandmasters Association, and the Florida Music Educators Association. In 1954 he joined the faculty of Purdue University. He was elected President of the American Bandmasters Association in 1980, the same year that he received an Honorary Doctorate from Troy State University. Wright has published more than 150 monographs and magazine articles, and his work on marching band shows is widely admired. Wright has published music under the name George Stone.
- 1916 Born in London, England, 23 June
- 1933 Graduated High School, Pontiac Michigan
- 1937 B.A. in Public School Music, University of Miami
- 1939-1954 Director of Music, Miami Senior High School
- 1947 M. Ed., University of Miami
- 1946-1947 President, Florida Bandmasters Association
- 1949 Elected to American Bandmasters Association
- 1951-1953 President, Florida Music Educators Association
- 1953 Married Gladys Violet Stone
- 1954-1981 Director of Bands, Purdue University
- 1961 Founding President, National Band Association
- 1980 L.L.D (honorary), Troy State University, Alabama
- 1981 President, American Bandmasters Association
From the guide to the Al Wright Papers, 1905-1990, 1955-1990, (Special Collections in Performing Arts)
