Jack Wainwright Collection

Individual Collection name: Jack Wainwright Collection

Repository name: Special Collections in Performing Arts,
Performing Arts Library, University of Maryland

Type: Scrapbooks

Collection dates: 1923-1926

Extent: 1 linear foot

Description: This collection contains five scrapbooks of materials, mostly relating to school band contests in which Wainwright was involved between 1923 and 1926.

Statement of provenance: The scrapbooks were prepared by the Wainwright family and loaned to Lynn Sams before coming to the American Bandmasters Association Research Center.

Finding Aid: An unpublished finding aid is available in the repository.

SCPA shelf location: SCPA Collections Room, Aisle C

Access: Materials from this collection must be used in the Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room, 10 to 5, Monday through Friday. Please make an appointment with the curator.

Biography: Jack Wainwright was born in Lisbon, Ohio on 30 October 1889. Wainwright moved to moved moved to Oberlin, Ohio in 1910 where we worked as a linotype operator for the Oberlin Review. He entered the Oberlin Academy and played in the college band and conservatory orchestra. He later become director of the band and organized other bands in Wellington, Elyria, Berlin Heights, Lorain, and Olmstead Falls.

In 1913 Wainwright organized the Oberlin Boys Band and the next year they toured the eastern United States and played for President Wilson. In 1918 Wainwright enlisted in the Cleveland, Ohio Naval Reserve Band. It was while on tour with this band that Wainwright was asked to move to Fostoria, Ohio and organize a school band. In 1919, Wainwright and his wife (Jeanette Streeter)moved to Fostoria. Wainwright left Fostoria in 1930 to accept a position at Short Ridge High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was next appointed head of the music department of South Side High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a position he held from 1933 to 1944.

After his retirement, Wainwright served three consecutive terms in the Indiana State Legislature where he served on the penal committee. He immediately organized a band in the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, where he taught music and instrument repair. Wainwright died on 5 January 1960. Wainwright is best known for being the director of the first band to win a national school band contest (in 1923). In addition, he established the first nationally known band camp, the Wainwright Band and Orchestra Camp at Oliver Lake, Indiana, in 1926. In 1943, after Wainwright's retirement, the library of this camp was given to Purdue University.

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