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 The series includes several unpublished works such as songs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.
