ALEXANDER FRAME LITHGOW (1-12-1870 > 12-7-1929), composer and bandmaster, was born in Glasgow Scotland, son of Samuel Lithgow, master tinsmith and his wife Agnes Alison, née Shanks. The family migrated to Invercargill New Zealand when Alexander was 6. He was educated at Invercargill Grammar School - now Invercargill Middle School.
His family was musical, performing as the six-member Lithgow Concert Company. Alexander, an acknowledged prodigy, was accepted by the Invercargill Garrison Band at 11 and by 16 was its principal cornet-soloist, and at 20 its bandmaster, playing also with the Theatre Royal orchestra as first violin. He won cornet-solo championships at Dunedin in 1890 and 1891 and at Christchurch in 1893, touring New Zealand as a professional soloist before moving to Australia to live in 1894.

Move to Australia

In 1894-1906 he was conductor of the St Joseph's Total Abstinence Society Band Launceston Tasmania.

On 6 June 1900 at Launceston he married Elizabeth Hill Telfer at a Presbyterian church. In 1901 he moved back to New Zealand for two years to conduct the Woolston Band at Christchurch. He earned his living as a compositor at the Launceston Examiner and the Daily Telegraph until 1927.

His virtuosity helped to foster local musical life. The St Joseph's Band was successful in competitions and its city and country concerts were immensely popular. Lithgow joined the Army Band the 12th Battalion Launceston Regiment (1904-10).

He was also conductor and spontaneous composer for the silent film orchestra at the Lyceum and Princess theatres. His enthusiasm led to the founding of the Launceston Concert Orchestra which he conducted in 1923-27, presenting innovative music including symphonic jazz and the latest Lithgow compositions.
When his jaunty, patriotic marches were published in America and Europe, he was acclaimed as 'the Sousa of the Antipodes'. His first composition, 'Wairoa', was published in 1892 and his work was soon familiar to colonial bands, the Woolston Brass Band presenting a complete programme of his music in October 1901.

The Invercargill

His celebrated quick march, 'Invercargill', composed in 1909, broke phonograph sales records, and was heard at Gallipoli and on the European front. It seems this march was written in 1900 as a jig for Symphonic band. When Invercargill was to host the New Zealand national brass band contest in 1909, his brother Tom (now conducting the Invercargill Garrison Band) asked Alex for a test piece of music. Alex donated this piece of music and it was presented to the city of Invercargill.
On the music Alex wrote
“To Invercargill, the Southernmost City in New Zealand (End of the World), and its Citizens, I dedicate this March as a momento of the many pleasant years spent there in my boyhood”

Here is a clip of the Invercargill March as performed by the band of the United States Marine Corps. Listen

After he died Frank Baker Murn an Australian wrote some words...

Though I've sailed overseas and wandered far from homeland- There's a yearning strong that calls me back to my land- Where in boyhood days I used to laugh and play- Then life to me then it seemed was all play free of care.
Joyous hours I remember all my pals of good old school days- And our motto 'Play the Game' 'twill serve you always- I long for my old home-town to greet with hand-clasp all friends so true.
The memories of boyhood days throughout the years will never fade- And someday I’ll return to mountains high and green leafed fern- Twill always be so dear to me my land so free in Southern Seas- With its emblem in the sky 'twill greet me as my ship draws nigh.
Invercargill is the only place that I adore- And my dear old pals I long to see them all once more- Soon again I’ll be asailing o'er the deep blue sea- To my dear old home, the gem of all the Southern Seas.

In preparation for the tune’s centenary a former resident and member of The International Military Music Society NZ, Gavin Marriott, has re written the words...

Though I've sailed overseas from Invercargill-
Theres a yearning strong that calls me back to Southland-
Where in childhood days, I used to play and be-
part of a local music family.

Joyous hours playing with the old school band-
Our school motto 'Play the Game' will serve you most grand-
And marching down to Dee Street, in the southernmost town.

The memories, of childhood, and playing tunes, I loved to learn-
Someday I will return, to mountains high and green leafed fern-
Oreti Beach, Waihopai, an Oyster feed, from Foveaux Strait-
I cannot wait to see, who greets me, at Bluff port gate.

Invercargill is, the only place that I adore-
And my old band pals, I long to see them all once more-
Soon my ship will be, returning from the deep blue sea-
To my dear old home, the gem of all the Southern Seas (x2).

Later life

Lithgow produced approximately two hundred marches, as well as numerous pieces for band, orchestra, piano and voice. Some were printed by his own Commonwealth Band Music Publications and later by W. H. Paling & Co., but he acquired no copyrights and many of his pieces, in his immaculate notation, were lost or unpublished.

Lithgow returned to St Joseph's in 1922 and remained until ill health forced his retirement in 1927. A fund-raising all-Lithgow concert in 1923 included two four-piece suites, 'In Sunny Australia', and 'At the Movies'. Music dominated his existence, but time for composing was scarce when after a long day's work he cycled home to change for an evening performance or a musical gathering.

His death

Lithgow died on 12 July 1929 of cerebral haemorrhage at Launceston and was buried in Carr Villa cemetery to the sound of massed bands playing Invercargill and 'Queen of the North'. His wife, son and two daughters survived him. Memorial plaques were unveiled in the Paterson Street Barracks and the rotunda in City Park, Launceston, in 1953.