Title: Herbert W. Willett collection
Inclusive Dates: 1900-1976

Creator:

• Willett, Herbert W.

Unique Identifier: mml039

Quantity: Collection includes: published sheet music; music manuscripts; compositional sketches; papers; photographs; artwork; piano tuning tools

• 3 Linear Feet
• 3 boxes

Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mills Music Library

Abstract:

The Herbert W. Willett collection contains published sheet music, music manuscripts, artwork, photographs, and piano tuning equipment. A composer, piano tuner, and performer, Willett worked primarily in Madison, Wisconsin from 1913 to 1944.

Language: English .

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mus-mml039

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

Organized into six series: I. Photographs, II. Papers, III. Music Manuscripts, IV. Printed Sheet Music, V. Artwork, VI. Artifacts.

Herbert Waller Willett (1881-1944) was born in Corydon, Kentucky, and married Gladys Leona Rude. Moving to Madison, Wisconsin in 1914, he remained a resident of the city for most of his life. A piano tuner, teacher, performer, and composer by trade, he was a prolific writer who primarily composed vocal songs which he frequently submitted to local and national music contests. He won some of these competitions, and also collaborated with other Madison poets throughout his music career.

This collection has restrictions or is in a format that may not be accessible. Some paper material is too fragile for handling. Please consult Mills Music Library staff prior to access.

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.

Source unknown.

[Title of item], [Name of collection]. Mills Music Library, University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Herbert W. Willett Collection is stored in 3 archival boxes. It is divided into six series covering photographs, papers, music manuscripts, printed sheet music, artwork, and artifacts.

Series I contains photographs. These photos are personal portraits and are in black and white.

Series II contains paper records. These materials include correspondence, a financial record, a newspaper clipping, and a scrapbook containing additional clippings, articles, and photographs with annotations from Herbert W. Willett.

Series III contains music manuscripts. Subseries include compositional sketches and manuscript scores written or arranged by Herbert W. Willett and collaborators. These music manuscripts include drafts, full scores, parts, and revised versions of vocal and instrumental music.

Series IV contains printed sheet music. With the exception of one piece, these printed copies of music are written by Herbert W. Willett and collaborators. Pieces include music written for voice and piano, and instrumental music.

Series V contains artwork. These pieces include artwork proofs for printed sheet music illustration. There is also a printed poster for practice encouragement.

Series VI contains artifacts. These materials are items used by Herbert W. Willett for his piano tuning profession including a piano tuning hammer, piano tuning mute wedge, and tuning fork.

Disclaimer: This collection contains historical documents which reflect the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of different time periods. In several items, racially insensitive language is used. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries does not endorse the views expressed in these pieces of sheet music, which may contain content offensive to users.

Songs with pianoComposers -- WisconsinMusic -- Manuscripts -- WisconsinPiano techniciansHusting, Betty Jane (Poet); Fosshage, George H. (Composer); Asmundson, Judy; Goldenberger, Ben M. (Poet); Bennett, Lousetta L. (Poet); Mott, Elizabeth H. (Poet); Young, Otis M. (Composer); Staniger, Stan (Poet); Rollins, Grace B. (Composer)

I	Series: Photographs, 1900-1976
1 Box   1   folder 1	Photographs , 1900-1944
II	Series: Papers, 1900-1936	⇧
Box   1   folder 2	Correspondence, newspaper clippings, and business files 1900-1936
Box   2   item 71	Scrapbook containing poems, newspaper clippings, articles and pictures with annotation provided by Herbert W. Willett 1909-1944
III	Series: Music Manuscripts, 1900-1944	⇧
A	Subseries: Compositional sketches, 1900-1944
Box   1   folder 3	Untitled music manuscripts, 1900-1944
Box   1   folder 4	Sketchbook 1, 1928-04
Box   1   folder 5	Sketchbooks 2, 1943
Box   1   folder 6	Sketchbook 3, 1900-1944
Box   1   folder 7	Sketchbook 4, 1900-1944
B	Subseries: Manuscript Scores, 1900-1944	⇧
Box   2   folder 3	Untitled music manuscript with song contest entry slip, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 4	All Out for Love: song music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 5	Willett, Herbert W. and Young, Otis M. Arab Land Song music manuscript 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 6	Be a Sammy Backer music manuscript, 1918
Box   2   folder 7	Chicken in Heaven and untitled composition music manuscript, 1900-1944 Scope and Contents Disclaimer: This item contains racially harmful language.
Box   2   folder 8	Every Day: song music manuscript, 1921-04-15
Box   2   folder 9	Fiddlesticks: piano duet music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 10	Flying High: piano duet music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 11	Good-bye, Old Pal music manuscript 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 12	Have You Forgotten Me? music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 13	I Love You Thru and Thru and Colleen O'Mine cello parts manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 14	I Love You Thru and Thru and Swanee Rose music manuscripts, 1922
Box   2   folder 15	I'd Like to Linger Longer with You piano and chorus manuscripts, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 16	I'll Be Greeted in My Old Kentucky Town music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 17	I'll Never Stop Loving You music manuscripts, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 18	Don't Blame Me (I Didn't Know) music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 19	It's Great to Sell Insurance quartette and full music manuscripts for song contest entry, 1938-1939
Box   2   folder 20	Willett, Herbert W. and words by Stan Staniger. I'm Going to Lock You Up in My Heart music manuscript 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 21	I'm Going South on the Robert E. Lee music manuscripts, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 22	I'm Saving My Love for You music manuscript, 1928
Box   2   folder 23	I'm Going Back to Old Virginia and earlier version music manuscripts, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 24	I Want to Live in a Big Leage [sic] Town music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 25	I Want to Live in a Big League Town music manuscript, 1919
Box   2   folder 26	I Wonder music manuscript, additional sketch on final page 1927
Box   2   folder 27	Jazzette music manuscript versions, 1928
Box   2   folder 28	Just as Happy as Can Be music manuscript, 1900-1944 Scope and Contents Disclaimer: This item contains racially harmful language.
Box   2   folder 29	Louisiana Lullaby: song music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 30	Major Bowes and untitled music manuscripts, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 31	Nobody Else but You music manuscripts as song contest entries, 1900-1935-12-17
Box   2   folder 32	My Baby music manuscript and Now We're Going to Have Spring music manuscript on final page, 1934
Box   2   folder 33	Now We're Going to Have Spring chorus music manuscript as song entry contest, 1934-1939
Box   2   folder 34	Willett, Herbert W. with words by Betty Jane Husting. The Only Dif'rence is You music manuscript 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 35	On Our Way multiple versions music manuscripts, 1900-1934-01-06
Box   2   folder 36	Willet, Herbert W., with words by H. Elizabeth Mott. Open the Gates to the Morning music manuscript 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 37	Pastels music manuscript, 1938
Box   2   folder 38	Railroad Man: song music manuscript with additional compositional sketch on final page, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 39	Railroad Man chorus music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 40	Willett, Herbert W., with words by H. Elizabeth Mott. The Red, White, and Blue Evermore music manuscript 1929
Box   2   folder 41	Rhythm Band Parade: March music manuscript, 1931
Box   2   folder 42	Shimmy Shaking Shivaree music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 43	Social American: March-Two Step music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 44	Somebody Cares - Do You? music manuscripts with additional compositional sketches, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 45	Some Day You'll Know (How Much I Care) versions music manuscripts, 1900-1920
Box   2   folder 46	Spirit Danse violin and trio music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 47	Stand Firm, America! vocal line music manuscript 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 48	Sunshine Dance piano parts and strain music manuscripts, 1900-1925
Box   2   folder 49	Willett, Herbert W., with words by Ben Goldenberger. Swanee Rose: song music manuscript 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 50	Take Me Back to Old Wisconsin music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 51	That's What I Think About You music manuscript entry for a state fair music contest, 1939
Box   2   folder 52	That's Why Darkies Were Born music manuscript and additional untitled music manuscript on back page, 1900-1944 Scope and Contents Disclaimer: This item contains racially harmful language.
Box   2   folder 53	There'll Be a Hot Time Down in Dixie: When the Boys Come Marching Home music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 54	Willett, Herbert W. and words by Stan Staniger. There's Only One Girl - That's You music manuscript 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 55	Turn on the Sunshine: Turn off the Rain and Tune Up America: Prosperity Song music manuscripts, 1932
Box   2   folder 56	Turn on the Sunshine: Shriners Club Song music manuscript with additional composition, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 57	Valse Boquet multiple instrumental parts music manuscripts, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 58	Valse Modern music manuscript with former title Valse Boquet, 1927
Box   2   folder 59	Waltz Moderne string music manuscripts and It's Winter Again cornet and chorus music manuscripts, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 60	(It Won't Be Lonesome) When My Daddy Comes Home music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 61	When My Sweetie is Near music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 62	When They Get Home Rule in Ireland music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 63	When You Go 'Way music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 64	Wisconsin Evermore: song cello manuscript and It's Winter Again violin part manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 65	You'll Do the Crying Some Day music manuscript and When My Sweetie is Near music manuscript, 1922
Box   2   folder 66	You Know Why and untitled piece music manuscripts , 1900-1944
Box   2   folder 67	You'll Never Understand the Women - The Eternal Mystery music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 1	Rollins, Grace B. and edited by Herbert W. Willett. How Could You and untitled piece music manuscripts 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 2	Untitled chorus manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 3	Echoes and additional untitled music manuscripts, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 4	Fiddlesticks piano music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 5	Those Fighting Yankies vocal and chorus music manuscripts with additional untitled compositional sketches, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 6	He's Coming Home music manuscript with changed titles, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 7	Willett, Herbert W. with words by Ben (Goldenberger?). I Have to Laugh to Keep from Crying music manuscript written on back of printed sheet music 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 8	I'll Sing a Little Song music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 9	I'm Forever Your music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 10	It's Great to be a Farmer music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 11	Jones Pigs and untitled music manuscripts, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 12	Madison Centennial Song 1836 - 1936 and untitled music manuscripts, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 13	Maybe - Some Day music manuscript and At the John Scott Trotters Ball music manuscript, 1926
Box   3   folder 14	Midnight Dream Waltz: song music manuscript with additional compositional sketch, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 15	Now We're 'Gona' Have Spring music manuscript with lyrics to Madison Centennial Song on final page, 1933-03-15
Box   3   folder 16	Willett, Herbert W. with words by H. Elizabeth Mott. Oh Homeland, My Homeland: ballad music manuscript 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 17	Oh Henry music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 18	Husting, Betty Jane and arranged by Herbert W. Willett. A Star Whispered music manuscript with additional compositional sketches 1920-1944
Box   3   folder 19	Willett, Herbert W. with words by H. Elizabeth Mott. Where Monona's Waters Play music manuscript 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 20	You Used to Love Me chorus music manuscript, 1900-1944
Box   3   folder 21	That's What I Think About You chorus music manuscript and Spring music manuscript without lyrics, 1900-1944
IV	Series: Printed Sheet Music, 1900-1944	⇧
Box   1   folder 8	Darling, Hurry Home sheet music. Herb W. Willett : 2206 Hillington Green, Madison, Wis. 1944
Box   1   folder 9	The Official E.F.U. Song sheet music. H.W. Willett : Box 52, Madison, Wis. 1921
Box   1   folder 10	Major Bowes Song sheet music, 1930-1944
Box   1   folder 11	Bring Back My Baby's Smile sheet music with song sample on back. F. Moessner : 5446 Magnolia Avenue, Chicago, Ill. 1921
Box   1   folder 12	Colleen O' Mine sheet music with advertisement. Constantine Music Publishing Co. : Vroman Block, Madison, Wis. 1920
Box   1   folder 13	Darling, Hurry Home printed sheet music with cover illustration. Nordyke Music Publications : Hollywood, California 1945
Box   1   folder 14	I Love You Thru and Thru sheet music. H.W. Willett : 117 N. Hamilton Str., Madison, Wis. 1924
Box   1   folder 15	I Love You Thru and Thru sheet music with stamped blue advertisement. H.W. Willett : 117 N. Hamilton Str., Madison, Wis. 1924
Box   1   folder 16	On the Highways of Wisconsin sheet music. L. L. Bennett : 312 Norris Court, Madison, Wis. 1925
Box   1   folder 17	Sunshine Dance sheet music. H.W. Willett : 2206 Hillington Green, Madison, Wis. 1925
Box   1   folder 18	Sunshine Dance sheet music with dedication and finger markings. H.W. Willett : 2206 Hillington Green, Madison, Wis. 1925
Box   1   folder 19	Sunshine Dance sheet music with stamped advertisement. H.W. Willett : 2206 Hillington Green, Madison, Wis. 1925
Box   1   folder 20	Sunshine Dance sheet music with manuscript insert. H.W. Willett : 2206 Hillington Green, Madison, Wis. 1925
Box   1   folder 21	Valse Petite sheet music. Schroeder & Gunther, Inc. : 145 West 45th Street, New York 1924
Box   1   folder 22	Wisconsin Evermore! sheet music. Hook Bros. Piano Co. : Madison, Wis. 1921
Box   1   folder 25	George H. Fosshage, I Wouldn't Be Knowing sheet music. George H. Fosshage : 1825 N. Whitley Avenue, Hollywood 28, Calif. 1940
Box   2   folder 2	Off to 'Frisco Town sheet music. H.W. Willett Music Publisher : 36 W. Randolph St., Chicago, Ill. 1915
V	Series: Artwork, 1909-1976	⇧
Box   1   folder 23	Uncle Sam practice poster, 1976
Box   1   folder 24	Wisconsin Sue cover art proof print with note, 1914
Box   2   folder 1	If I Only Had a Beau cover art proof print, 1909
V	Series: Artifacts, 1864-1944	⇧
Box   2   item 68	Lyon & Healy Chicago. Piano tuning hammer with yellow ribbon attached, 1900-1944
Box   2   item 69	Tonk Bros Co. Chicago. Piano tuning wedge mute, 1900-1944
Box   2   item 70	Deagan Chicago. C4 tuning fork with worn leather case, 1900-1944