Stories of Francis Lymer GRATTON

Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, UK on December 5th 1871.
Died at Seacliff, South Australia on November 26th 1946.

He was a music educator, musician, and conductor. He was a product of the South Australian state school system, in which he trained and taught apart from a seven year sojourn as first assistant at the Charles Street State School in Launceston, Tasmania.

He demonstrated musical aptitude in the prevailing tonic sol-fa pedagogy, eventually becoming an Associate of the Association of the Tonic Sol-fa College, London (1906).

In 1914 he was appointed inspector of music at the Training College in Adelaide, and between 1920 and his retirement in 1936 he was the supervisor of music in the South Australian education department.

Perhaps he is most remembered as the acclaimed conductor of the massed children's Thousand Voice Concerts, 1920-37.

Source, Submission to Oxford Companion to Music in Australia

Keith Payne has sent me two sketches of Frank L Gratton

by J H Chinner  http://www.daao.org.au/bio/ john-henry-chinner/#artist_ biography

 

by G R Mainwaring http://www.awm.gov.au/people/ artist_profiles/mainwaring.asp

Frank's records with the SA Education Department: 1887-1905, 1893 - 1925 & 1926-1936

 Frank started his teaching career as a Pupil Teacher in 1887 at Sturt Street School in Adelaide. After attending the Training College in 1892 he was appointed as Assistant Teacher at Moonta in 1893-1896. From September 1896 to 1902 he taught at Currie Street School, 1903 at North Adelaide School. He was promoted to Head Teacher in his appointment to Kalangadoo 1903-1905. This is when he would have come to know Amy Barrows. At the end of 1905 he resigned and moved to Launceston, Tasmania, to take up the position as Assistant to the Principal at the Charles Street School in 1906.

 

After spending one year teaching at the Charles Street State School in Launceston, Tasmania, he returned to Mount Gambier to marry Amy Barrows on 2nd Jan 1907 and took her to his house in Trevallyn, Launceston to live. They lived there (and briefly in Scottsdale) until Frank resumed employment with the SA Education Department on 11th October 1911.

 

Frank Gratton in Launceston — All these entries mention Frank during his years in Launceston were found in the Launceston "Examiner" newspaper.

1906 January to June

1906 July to August

1906 September 1 to 19th

1906 September 20 to 30th

1906 October to December

 

1907 January to April 15

1907 April 16 to June

1907 July to December

 

1908 January to December

 

1909 January to December

 

1910 January to December

 

1911 January to October and 1931 and 1934.

 

After nearly six years in Launceston, Frank spent the rest of 1911 in SA at Wellington Road School. In 1912 he spent January to April at Rose Park, and until the end of June at Reynella. Until the end of 1914 his job was described as Observation, then from 1915 as Instructor In Music at the Teachers' Training College. From July 1920 to 1936 he was Supervisor of Music at the Teachers' Training College.

 

Report from "The Daily Telegraph", Launceston 1906

STATE SCHOOL CONCERT
——o——

SPLENDID ENTERTAINMENT
—
SPEECH BY MR. PROPSTING
—

At the Albert Hall last evening Mr. Propsting, the Minister of Education, in congratulating the promoters of the Charles-street State school concert, said: "I have been told that this hall will hold about 3000 people, and I would say that there are many more than that number present this evening. The scene presented to me is the most impressive that I have ever witnessed in my native State of Tasmania. What is being done at the Charles-street State school is only a sample of what is also being done in many more schools of the State, in Tasmania." . These words were received with rounds of applause, which showed that the large audience was heartily in sympathy with the sentiments given utterance to by the Minister.

The scene in the hall was truly impressive, and if the statement that the exhibition which was given by the children is only a sample of what numbers of other scholars are doing, then the children of the State are receiving a splendid musical education.

The concert was a novelty in every respect, and was promoted for the purpose of raising funds in order to pay for a new piano, which has been added to the school's equipment. It was rather an ambitious undertaking on the part of Messrs. Gratton and Limb, who have the training of the children, to attempt such a large order as the presentment of a programme solely by their pupils at such a short notice. The success which they achieved, however, speaks volumes for their system of training and the zeal and energy which they throw into their work. School concerts as a rule are things to be avoided, but it is safe to say that there is not a person who listened to last night's entertainment but who would willingly pay twice the money to listen to it again. It is a hard thing to say, but no one will deny the fact that peoples minds with long association with music halls become poisoned, and it is delightfully refreshing when an entertainment is staged which dispenses with all the limelight and varnish of the theatre, and depends solely upon the naturalness of the performers for its attraction. To achieve this end children are by far the best subjects. Their own exuberant spirits afford ample ground to work upon, and when wisely brought forth they are an entertainment in themselves. Last nights programme was very well arranged, and serious and mirth provoking pieces were placed in their proper order. The school choirs, male and female, senior and junior, were mostly called upon to supply the numbers, the only other items outside these being a recitation by Miss Thelma Brown, a duet by Messrs. Gratton and Limb, and selections by the school band. The different choirs were very well balanced, and kept excellent time throughout the whole of the pieces, whilst the careful training which they had been subjected to was shown by their machine like movements in the actions incidental to some of the songs. Some of the items brought back pleasant recollections to many a mind, whilst others were almost haunting in their sweetness. "Oh, hush thee my baby" which was sung by the male choir, assisted by Messrs. Gratton and Limb, was the best of its kind which has been heard here since the Westminster Glee Singers rendered it. The praise given here to the children and their teachers may seem somewhat fulsome, but it is, indeed, hard to describe the concert without going into extravagant language. The versatility of the pupils was well shown, as were also the capabilities of their teachers, and the entertainment in every way proved a revelation to the audience. Every item was loudly applauded, the audience showing its appreciation of the number in a very marked degree. where all the items were so well given, criticism is hardly possible, but suffice it to say that those present thoroughly enjoyed themselves and both teachers and pupils deserved the congratulations which were showered upon them. The following was the programme: Chorus, "Ye mariners of England;" part song "The soldier's farewell;" action song, "Who did?" Senior School Choir (conductor, Mr. Gratton). Action song "The railway train," infant scholars. Part song "Oh, hush thee my baby," male choir. Hymn, "When mothers of Salem;" part song, "Larboard watch;" action song, "A soldier's life;" junior choir (conductor, Mr. Limb). Band selections, School drum and Fife Band. Flower song, "Daffodils are here," senior girls. Duet, "Watchman, what of the night?" Messrs. Gratton and Limb. Recitation, "The bad boy at the Dime Museum," Miss Thelma Brown. Dumbbell drill, senior boys. Action song, "I don't want to play in your yard," senior girls. Part songs, (a) "Calm is the sea," (b) "Hail, smiling morn," mail choir. Part song, "Home , sweet home," action song, "Johnny Schmoker," combined choirs (over 200 voices). Mr. F. L. Gratton acted as conductor for the combined choir.

At the interval the Mayor (Alderman Russen) introduced Mr. Propsting, the Minister of Education to the audience, and said that he could assure them that there was not a gentleman in Tasmania who took a keener interest in educational matters than Mr. Propsting. (Hear, hear) The entertainment that evening had brought back many pleasant recollections, and he heartily congratulated all who took part in the performance for their effort.

Mr Propsting, Who was received with loud applause, said that he had come to Launceston to be present at the closing of the classes, which were held for the benefit of the northern teachers at the Wellington Square school. Teachers had been present at those classes from all parts of of the north, and had worked very hard at their studies. He was pleased that his visit to Launceston had afforded him an opportunity of giving a little encouragement to the teachers in their work, and also of being present at the concert that evening. (Applause) He had been told that the hall would hold 3000 people, and he was convinced that there were many more than that number present. The scene was the most impressive which had been presented to him in his native State of Tasmania. (Applause.) He was glad to be able to congratulate the teachers at the Charles-street school on having brought their pupils to such a state of efficiency, and it was a matter for the greatest gratification to see such serious attention being paid to the great question of education. The two questions which affected the welfare of the people more than any others were those of health and education. With regard to the latter they were doing their utmost to improve the system and he looked forward to the day when the school buildings now in use would not be half big enough to accommodate the numbers who would flock to them to avail themselves of the education which they would offer. (Applause.) It was also a source of greatest satisfaction — not only to see the interest which the general public took in the question of education — but to see the magnificent display could be made alternately in their work. Without that enthusiasm their efforts would not be crowned with success. He had suggested to the ..........

DEATH OF MR. F. L. GRATTON

Thousand Voices Choir Conductor

The death occurred yesterday at his home in Marine Parade , Seacliff, of Mr. Frank Lymer Gratton who for a number of years conducted the Thousand Voices Choir. He was 75.

Born at Halifax, Yorkshire, in 1871, Mr. Gratton was educated at the King Edward Grammar School, Birmingham. When 13 years of age, he came to South Australia with his father, the late Rev. Enoch Gratton. As a boy he sang in Maughan Church Choir.

After studying at the Teachers' training College, at age 20, he entered the Education Department of South Australia. He filled many responsible posts in South Australia and Tasmania and in 1920 was appointed supervisor of music by the SA Education Department, a post he held until he retired about 10 years ago.

For seven years Mr. Gratton was organist and choirmaster of Malvern Methodist Church, and also conducted the Methodist Centenary Choir of 750 voices. He again showed his conducting ability when he had charge of rehearsals for the Melba Memorial Choir comprising 2,500 singers.

Trained 100,000 Children

Probably the most popular and most widely known man among those who came in contact with school children in South Australia, Mr. Gratton conducted 96 Thousand Voice Choir concerts. In this way he assisted in the vocal training of nearly 100,000 South Australian school children.

Under his leadership, the South Australian Police Association Choir gave a number of concerts for charity in metropolitan and country areas.

Mr. Gratton left a widow, a son, Mr. Maxwell Gratton, of Melbourne, and a daughter, Mrs. G. Payne, of Loxton.

The funeral will leave his home at 3.20 p.m. today for the Crematorium, West terrace.