The Wright Family Centre

The Wright Family of Strathroy always enjoyed singing and dancing and several had impressive dramatic abilities. By the turn of the century (1900), the Wrights in Strathroy had become a prominent and influential family. They were highly visible as performers in theatrical and musical productions. In 2005, Donald Wright made a donation of $1 million to the Strathroy District Arts Council for kick start funding to build a centre for the performing arts in Strathroy. The centre’s naming rights were secured to honour the Wright family’s long-standing history and to ensure that Strathroy and area would continue to be a vibrant community with great cultural opportunities. It would have given Don much pride to see the fruition of the Wright Family Arts Centre for Arts, Entertainment & Business in his hometown of Strathroy

Donald J. A. Wright 1908-2006	Donald J. A. Wright Donald J. Wright arranged all the music for the Wright Brothers Orchestra and acted as musical director. He also led the U.W.O. orchestra and the Western band. He began a teaching career in 1934 and was hired to also promote music developing innovative ways to encourage children to sing. These ideas led to his series of books containing arrangements of songs for the changing voice. In 1940, he became Director of Music for all the London, Ontario schools. He published books and provided arrangements. In 1946, he became manager of CFPL London radio station. There, he developed a staff orchestra and a choir with became known as the Don Wright Chorus. He produced regular shows for CFPL until 1950. Don Wright Productions Ltd. (1950) continued to produce programs. The Don Wright Chorus became famous across Canada and the USA. Don never lost interest in music education, producing books and arranging music. His 20-volume thesaurus entitled Fifty Years of Music with Don Wright was produced between 1978-1983.
Dr. Mary J. Wright	Dr. Mary J. Wright Dr. Mary J. Wright, younger sister of Donald, is to be credited for bringing the desire of a performing arts centre for Strathroy to Donald’s attention and garnering his support. She has been the most steadfast supporter of the Strathroy District Arts Council and for that, we are truly thankful. Dr Mary Wright is Professor Emeritus, University of Western Ontario, Department of Psychology. She pioneered significant research in the field of child psychology and later became the University of Western Ontario’s first female department head.
Ernest J. Wright 1879 - 1967	Ernest J. Wright Donald and Mary’s father had considerable talent as an actor beginning with his youth. At the Lyceum Theatre on Frank Street, Strathroy, he took part in theatrical and musical events. In his early 20’s, he established a retail store in Strathroy where he sold pianos and other musical instruments. The Wright Family Piano Company (1907-1924) came into being and the first instrument was built in the back of Ernest’s retail store. Eventually, a factory was set up to produce high quality pianos, which were sold widely across Canada all the while continuing the retail business which now also sold gramophones and the newly invented radio as well as musical instruction. The family business evolved into selling electric refrigerators in 1926 and in 1934 became importers and distributors of a variety of kinds of retail store equipment. They soon became Canadian distributors of self-serve supermarket equipment and eventually went into commercial refrigeration, building locker storage plants and artificial ice for skating rinks. By 1953, they were manufacturing steel store equipment (shelving, check-out counters carts & baskets).
Mary Jean Wright 1882 – 1955	Mary Jean Wright Through their love of music and entertaining both mother Mary Jean and father “E. J.” trained their children to be entertainers early in life. The four sons put together a five-piece band which was the beginning of the Wright Brothers Orchestra (1921-1934) and a natural outgrowth of the boys’ experience in the entertainment business with their father.
Pictured (from left): Ernest, Donald, William & Clark Wright
Excerpts from “Zestful Lives – The Unusual Wrights of Strathroy 1865-1995” by: Mary Jean Wright, Ph.D., LL.D.