Title: Alec Wilder collection
Inclusive Dates: 1950-1973

Creator:

• Wilder, Alec

Unique Identifier: mml021

Quantity: Collection includes: music scores, sound recordings

• 6.25 Linear Feet
• 3 archival flat boxes, 1 record storage carton, 1 audio disc box

Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mills Music Library

Language: English .

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mus-mml021

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Arranged into two series: Series I, Manuscripts, and Series II, Sound Recordings.

Alec Wilder was a composer and arranger of jazz, chamber music and popular songs. He was born February 17, 1907 in Rochester, New York. He studied privately at Eastman School of Music, though he never enrolled as a student. His professional career in music began as a songwriter for popular singers such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Cab Calloway, Ethel Waters and Mabel Mercer. Beginning in the 1950s he shifted his attention to chamber music, composing for a wide range of instrumental ensembles. His compositions gained him admiration from jazz greats like Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan and Marian McPartland, as well as classical musicians like John Barrows, Harvey Philips and Gary Karr.

As a result of his personal friendship with Barrows, Wilder became a frequent visitor to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, where, during the spring semester of 1968 as Composer in Residence, he gave seminars on composition, arranging and contemporary music. He composed many works for faculty and student groups at UW-Madison such as his 10th woodwind quintet and 4 short flute duets. His 12th woodwind quintet was written for the Wingra Woodwind Quintet which they premiered in 1975. In 1972 Wilder published a definitive book on 20th century popular music, American popular song: The great innovators. Wilder died in 1980.

This collection includes no known access restrictions.

Collection materials may be subject to laws governing rights. Researchers are solely responsible for determining the rights status of the materials they use. Permission may be required for some uses such as publication or reproduction.

Gift of Alec Wilder, circa 1968. This gift included the bulk of the manuscripts.

Gift of Robert Monschein, 1974. Sound recordings of interviews with songwriters were dubbed by Robert Monschein, director, School of Music, UW-Madison.

Gift of Tait Barrows, November 1996. 9 manuscripts scores transferred from the John Barrows collection: 50 short pieces for piano; Short studies for piano, 51-84; Piano pieces, 85-101; Horn sonata [unidentified]; Piece for French horn and orchestra; Sam's song; Shake well before using; Sonata-fantasy; Suite for clarinet, horn and piano [1st movement, revised].

Gift of Jeanette Ross, November 1993. 2 manuscript scores previously given to Jeanette Ross by Tait Barrows: Suite for piano; 8 piano pieces.

[Title of item], Alec Wilder collection, 1950-1973. Mills Music Library, University of Wisconsin-Madison

John Barrows collection, c. 1930-1973. MML020, Mills Music Library, University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Grandma Moses suite. Martin, Hugh. (Sound recording) New York : DRG Theater, p2003

American popular song : the great innovators, 1900-1950. Wilder, Alec. New York : Oxford University Press, 1972

The collection is arranged into two series: Series I, Manuscripts, and Series II, Sound Recordings.

Series I: Manuscripts principally contains reproductions of holographs of scores and parts meant for performing musicians. The series includes several unpublished works such as songs "Shake well before use," "Ralph P. Puppydog march," and "Sam's song," as well as works for chamber ensemble or soloist like "Suite for trombone choir," "Suite for alto saxophone and piano," "Four short pieces for solo flute," a collection of 101 short piano pieces, "8 piano pieces," and "Suite for piano." A few manuscripts are in Wilder's hand, such as "Grandma Moses," "Four short pieces for solo flute" and "Woodwind quintet (Number 10).' Many of the manuscripts include performers' markings.

Series II: Sound Recordings includes audiotape reels of interviews (dubbed from the original audiotape cassettes) with songwriters such as Harold Arlen, Eubie Blake, Shelton Brooks, Vernon Duke, Dorothy Fields, Ferde Grofe, Richard Rodgers, Johnny Mercer, and others which served as source material for Wilder's book American popular song. The series also includes a 1973 WHA (Madison) radio program "Alec Wilder, John Barrows, Robert Monschein, Ken Ohst interview." All recordings copied to CDs.

Chamber musicPiano musicWoodwind quintetsBarrows, John, 1913-1974; Maher, James T.; Martin, Hugh, 1914-2011; Monschein, Robert; Ohst, Ken; University of Wisconsin--Madison; Wingra Wind Quintet; Wisconsin Music Archives; Monschein, Robert; Maher, James T.

1	Series: Manuscripts, 1950-1973
Box [89111708889]   1   folder 1	Concerto (Piece) for French horn and orchestra [Concerto for horn and orchestra, no. 1]
Box [89111708889]   1   folder 2	Concerto for French horn and chamber orchestra [Concerto for horn and orchestra, no. 2]
Box [89111708889]   1   folder 3	Concerto for clarinet and chamber orchestra Abstract: "For Glenn Bowen"; "Madison Symphony"--Stamp on cover; includes performer's markings. Physical Description: 58 pages : 18.5 x 14 in.
Box [89111708905]   2   folder 1	Grandma Moses suite
Box [89111708905]   2   folder 2	Bassoon sonata no.2
Box [89111708905]   2   folder 3	Bassoon sonata no.3
Box [89111708905]   2   folder 4	English horn sonata
Box [89111708905]   2   folder 5	Sonata for horn and piano [no. 1]
Box [89111708905]   2   folder 6	Sam's song: for horn and piano
Box [89111708905]   2   folder 7	Second horn sonata
Box [89111708905]   2   folder 8	Shake well before using: a selection for horn and piano
Box [89111708905]   2   folder 9	Sonata-fantasy
Box [89111708905]   2   folder 10	Sonata for baritone horn (Euphonium) [Sonata for euphonium]
Box [89111708905]   2   folder 11	Sonata for clarinet and piano
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 1	Sonata for trombone and piano
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 2	Suite for brass quintet and strings
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 3	Trio for clarinet, horn and piano [Suite for clarinet, horn and piano]
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 4	Suite for clarinet, horn and piano (1st movement, revised)
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 5	Suite for four bassoons
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 6	Suite for trombone choirOther Descriptive Data: General Folder includes manuscript score in pencil ("Suite for trombones"& 118 pages), holograph score (18 pages), and 19 parts.
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 7	Suite for woodwind quintetOther Descriptive Data: General Clarinet and horn part only.
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 8	Horn and bassoon [Suite (twelve duets) for horn and bassoon]
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 9	Quintet [no.1]Other Descriptive Data: General Horn part only.
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 10	Woodwind quintet (Number 10)
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 11	Four short pieces for solo flute
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 12	Suite for alto saxophone and piano
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 13	Suite for horn and piano
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 14	Suite for horn, tuba and piano [no. 2]
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 15	Suite for piano
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 16	8 piano pieces
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 17	50 short pieces for piano; Short studies for piano, 51-84; Piano pieces, 85-101
Box [89111708921]   3   folder 18	Ralph P. Puppydog march
2	Series: Sound recordings, 1966-06-01-1973-04-13	⇧
	Subseries: Audiotape reels Physical Description: 24 7-inch reels, 1/4-inch tape, 1/2 track, mono, 7 1/2 ips Two 10-inch reel, 1/4-inch tape, full track, mono, 7 1/2 ips  Scope and Contents Audiotape reels 1-21 are interviews Wilder conducted with songwriters for his book "American popular song"; reels 22-24 are other interviews with Wilder. The reels were dubbed from Wilder's original audiocassettes in 1974 by Robert Monschein. Reels 25-26 are from WHA Radio, Madison, WI.
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138173869	Gordon Jenkins interview, tape 1 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138173877	Gordon Jenkins interview, tape 2 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 389138173885	Harold Arlen interview, tape 1 1968-08-15 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138173893	Harold Arlen interview, tape 2 1968-08-15 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138173901	Harold Arlen interview, tape 3 1968-08-15 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138173919	Eubie Blake interview, tape 1 1968-08-16 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138173927	Eubie Blake interview, tape 2 1968-08-16 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138173935	Shelton Brooks interview, tape 1 1968-06-07 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 989138173943	Shelton Brooks interview, tape 2 1968-06-07 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138173950	Abe Olman interview, tape 1 1968-04-22 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138173968	Abe Olman interview, tape 2 1968-04-22 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138173976	Johnny Mercer interview, tape 1 1968-06-04 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138173984	Johnny Mercer interview, tape 2 1968-06-04 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138173992	Johnny Mercer interview, tape 3 1968-06-04 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138174008	Vernon Duke interview, tape 1 1968-06-09 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138174016	Vernon Duke interview, tape 2 1968-06-09 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138174024	Vernon Duke interview, tape 3 1968-06-09 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138174032	Dorothy Fields interview, 1968-10-15 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138174040	Richard Rodgers interview, tape 1 1968-09-18 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138174057	Richard Rodgers interview, tape 2 1968-09-18 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138174065	Ferde Grofé interview, 1968-09-17, 1969-09-09 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138174073	Alec Wilder interview, 1969-08-30 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138174081	John Barrows and Alec Wilder interview, 1966-06-01 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 7 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138174347	Alec Wilder, John Barrows and Robert Monschein interview, tape 1 1973-04-13 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 10 in., 1/4 in. tape
Reel [89111708947]   4   reel 89138174354	Alec Wilder, John Barrows and Robert Monschein interview, tape 2 1973-04-13 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, mono ; 10 in., 1/4 in. tape
	Subseries: Sound discs Scope and Contents 24 CDs; user copies of the 26 audiotape reels that contain interviews Wilder conducted with songwriters for his book "American popular song," interviews with Wilder.	⇧
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174362	Interview with Harold Arlen, disc 1 1968-08-15 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174370	Interview with Harold Arlen, disc 2 1968-08-15 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174388	Interview with Eubie Blake, disc 1 1968-08-16 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174396	Interview with Eubie Blake, disc 2 1968-08-16 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174404	Interview with Shelton Brooks, disc 1 1968-06-07 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174412	Interview with Shelton Brooks, disc 2 1968-06-07 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174420	Interview with Gordon Jenkins, disc 1 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174438	Interview with Gordon Jenkins, disc 2 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174446	Interview with Ferde Grofé, 1968-09-09 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174453	Interview with Johnny Mercer, disc 1 1968-06-04 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174461	Interview with Johnny Mercer, disc 2 1968-06-04 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174479	Interview with Johnny Mercer, disc 3 1968-06-04 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174487	Interview with Abe Olman, disc 1 1968-04-22 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174495	Interview with Abe Olman, disc 2 1968-04-22 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174503	Interview with Richard Rodgers, disc 1 1968-09-18 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174511	Interview with Richard Rodgers, disc 2 1968-09-18 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174529	Interview with Dorothy Fields, 1968-10-15 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174537	Interview with Vernon Duke, disc 1 1968-06-09 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174545	Interview with Vernon Duke, disc 2 1968-06-09 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174552	Interview with Vernon Duke, disc 3 1968-06-09 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174560	Alec Wilder discusses John Barrows, 1969-08-30 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174578	Studs Terkel radio interview with Alec Wilder and John Barrows, 1966-06-01 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174586	Ken Ohst radio interview with Alec Wilder, John Barrows and Robert Monschein, disc 1 1973-04-13 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.
Disc [89109112029]   5   othertype 89138174594	Ken Ohst radio interview with Alec Wilder, John Barrows and Robert Monschein, disc 2 1973-04-13 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements 1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.