Guide to the Papers of Phillip Wilcher
MS 8877, MS Acc03.063, MS Acc03.192, .MS Acc04.265, MS Acc05.066, MS Acc06.159, .MS Acc07.191, MS Acc10.129, MS Acc18.035, .MS Acc21.078, MS Acc22.122
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: August 2024
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Wilcher, Phillip, Mr
- Title
- Papers of Phillip Wilcher
- Date Range
- 1867-2021
- Collection Number
- MS 8877, MS Acc03.063, MS Acc03.192, .MS Acc04.265, MS Acc05.066, MS Acc06.159, .MS Acc07.191, MS Acc10.129, MS Acc18.035, .MS Acc21.078, MS Acc22.122
- Extent
- 7.62 metres (18 boxes + 6 folio boxes + 4 archives boxes + 1 envelope + 1 folio item)
- Physical Facet
- MS 8877: (7 ms boxes + 1 large folio box + 1 medium folio box)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The papers include correspondence, music manuscripts and other documents relating to Wilcher's work as a composer, and his associations with other composers, musicians and musical organisations such as the Australian Music Centre and Australian Music Examinations Board.
Included in the papers are letters from Sir Malcolm Sargent, Neville Cardus, Sir Charles Groves and Evelyn Barbirolli to the Australian pianist and composer, and Wilcher's former teacher, Franz Holford. Also filed in the collection are copies of letters to Wilcher from Miriam Hyde, Dulcie Holland, Ned Rorem, Carl Hammond, Dawn Nettheim, Betty Beath and Rosalind Carlson, many of which include reviews of his compositions. Also included is original correspondence between Wilcher and Miriam Hyde, John Howard, Archie Fraser, Sir Frank Callaway and Roger Woodward.
Conditions Governing Access
Access conditions may apply to this collection, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn777339).
Conditions Governing Use
Conditions for copying and publishing of this collection may apply, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn777339).
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Phillip Wilcher, National Library of Australia, [class number, box number and series and/or file number]'.
Provenance
The collection has been donated to the Library in numerous instalments since November 1995.
Related Materials
The papers of Franz Holford are held at MS 8809 and MS 8967.
Finding Aid Source(s)
Please note: This finding aid may comprise or contain descriptive information provided by donors, researchers and/or volunteers.
Collection Retrieval Advice
Please note: each consignment in this collection has a separate box number sequence (i.e. there may be multiple Box 1s). Please cite the relevant Class number as well as the Box number when requesting retrieval of material from the collection.
Biographical Note
Phillip Wilcher was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 16 March 1958. He began studying piano at an early age, and wrote his first piano composition, 'Daybreak', at 14. A student of Franz Holford, with whom he maintained a close association, Wilcher has published more than 100 works for solo piano, piano and voice and instrumental solos with piano accompaniment, in addition to compositions and recordings for children. Wilcher is a member of the Committee of the Fellowship of Australian Composers, an Elected Life Member of the Australasian Performing Right Association and a member of the Board of the Australian Music Teacher Magazine.
Item Descriptions
Class MS 8877. Original consignments received 1995-2001
Comprises correspondence, including collector's letters, together with manuscript and typescript music scores, articles and other writings by Phillip Wilcher, and reviews, articles and other writings regarding Wilcher. The collector's letters include letters from Hugh McCrae to Alfred Hill, letters from Sir Malcolm Sargent, Neville Cardus, Charles Groves and Evelyn Barbirolli to Franz Holford. Wilcher's letters from Franz Holford discuss structure and interpretation of music and collection first editions. The general correspondence includes letters to Wilcher from Carl Hammond, Miriam Hill, Dulcie Holland, Ned Rorem, Betty Beath, Rosalind Carson, Dawn Nettheim and others. The collection also features reviews of compositions, letters and articles concerning Wilcher's association with the children's musical group, The Wiggles, of which he was a founding member.
Contained in 7 boxes, 2 fol. boxes.
Class 3. Addition 15 December 1995
Class 9. Addition 7 October 1997
Class 10. Addition 30 September 1998
Class 11. Addition 5 January 2000
Class 13. Addition 3 January 2001
Photocopies of birth, death, marriage and army discharge certificates, 1911-85 (File 37) - Box 5 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with APRA and the Australian Music Centre, 2000. Reviews in Australian Music Teacher, miscellaneous correspondence and other items, 2000 (File 38) - Box 5 (MS 8877)
Correspondence concerning the Andrea Bocelli International Competiton, also correspondence with Steve Bowden, Betty Beath, and Louise Bassam, 2000 (File 39) - Box 5 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Jeanell Carrigan, Gordon Clarke, Frank Callaway, Rosalind Carlson, Linda Claussen, Rita Crews, 2000 (File 40) - Box 5 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Richard Gill, Grevillia Ensemble, Sue Goodman, 1995-2000 (File 41) - Box 5 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Miriam Hyde, Dulcie Holland, Carl Hammond, Henry Howell, Jennifer Hill, Franz Holford, 2000 (File 42) - Box 5 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Elpis Crossatos, Jack Larson, Adrian Lee, Chris Lawrence, Pauline Lachance, Gladys Luckie, Darden Pyron, 2000 (File 43) - Box 5 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Dawn Nettheim, Carmen Nizeti, National Library, 2000 (File 44) - Box 5 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Ron Payne, Anthea Parker, Natasha Ivanowsky Perkins, 2000 (File 45) - Box 6 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Dorothy Scott, Bevlah Soper, Peter Sculthorpe and Sotheby's, 2000 (File 47) - Box 6 (MS 8877)
Wilcher, Phillip. A musical miscellany: prepatory studies for the performance of scales combining exercises in aural awareness. MS typescript pasted into a scrapbook (File 49) - Box 6 (MS 8877)
Class 14. Addition 20 December 2001
Correspondence with APRA, Australian Music Centre and Michael Alvanos, 2001 (File 51) - Box 7 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Sir Frank Callaway, Jeanell Carrigan, Gordon Clarke and Linda Claussen, 2001 (File 52) - Box 7 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Scott Davey, John Davis, Jye Frasca and Vince Fronza, 1993-2000 (File 53) - Box 7 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Carl Hammond, Valerie Haynes, Jennifer Hill, Franz Holford, Henry Howell and Miriam Hyde, 2001 (File 54) - Box 7 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Karen Kokot, John Lahr, Jack Larson, Adrian Lee, Elpis Liossates, David Malouf, Aaron McMillan, Kerry Murphy, Erica Munro and Maria Nizeti, 1989-2001 (File 55) - Box 7 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Meriel Owen, Ron Payne, Peter Platt Memorial Lectureship Appeal Fund, Milly Petriella, Pamela Rallis and Ned Rorem, 2001 (File 56) - Box 7 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Ian Thorpe's Foundation for Youth, Adrienne Sallay, Mike Smith, Beulah Soper, Vicki Stait, Jenny Stautner, Tall Poppies, Jean Teasel, Elizabeth Todd, Craig Urqhart, The Wiggles and Joan Zamoyski, 1998-2001 (File 57) - Box 7 (MS 8877)
Class MS Acc03.063. Consignment received 12 March 2003 - Box 1-2 (MS Acc03.063), Folio 1 (MS Acc03.063)
Comprises alphabetical correspondence files, 2002, printed music, articles, reviews, and photocopied and original music.
Contained in 2 boxes, 1 fol. item.
Class MS Acc03.192. Consignment received 13 August 2003 - Box 2 (MS Acc03.063)(MS Acc03.192), Folder 1 (MS Acc03.192)
Comprises correspondence with Marie Field, 1991-1992, Greg Page, 1998, Leslie James Wilcher and others. There is also a Sydney morning herald interview with Steve Dow.
Contained in 1 envelope.
Class MS Acc04.265. Consignment received 18 November 2004 - Box 1-2 (MS Acc04.265), Folio-Box 1 (MS Acc04.265)
Comprises correspondence files and music scores.
Contained in 2 boxes, 1 fol. box.
Class MS Acc05.066. Consignment received 30 March 2005 - Box 1 (MS Acc05.066)
Comprises photocopies of letters to Wilcher from Miriam Hyde, 1972-2004.
Contained in 1 box.
Class MS Acc06.159. Consignment received 4 September 2006 - Box 1-2 (MS Acc06.159), Folio-Box 1 (MS Acc06.159)
Comprises original first drafts of scores, miscellaneous scores, correspondence files arranged alphabetically by correspondent and miscellaneous papers.
Contained in 2 boxes, 1 fol. box.
Class MS Acc07.191. Consignment received 11 December 2007 - Box 1 (MS Acc07.191), Folio-Box 2 (MS Acc07.191)
Comprises rough drafts of compositions, and email and letter correspondence, mostly from 2006-2007.
Contained in 1 box, 1 fol. box.
Class MS Acc10.129. Consignment received 20 July 2010 - Box 1 (MS Acc10.129)
Comprises correspondence, reviews and other papers relating to Wilcher's career as a composer.
Contained in 1 box.
Class MS Acc18.035. Consignment received 4 April 2018, 1867-2017
This consignment comprises correspondence from family and friends including Peter Sculthorpe,Dulcie Holland and Franz Holford; publications written by Phillip Wilcher, articles and reviews. Original and printed music scores by Phillip Wilcher.
Series. Personal Correspondence
Letters and cards from Dulcie Holland and Peter Sculthorpe to Phillip Wilcher, 1993-2005 (File 1/Part 1 of 4) - Box 1 (MS Acc18.035)
Letters and cards from Dulcie Holland and Peter Sculthorpe to Phillip Wilcher, 1992-1997 (File 1/Part 2 of 4) - Box 1 (MS Acc18.035)
Letters and cards from Dulcie Holland and Peter Sculthorpe to Phillip Wilcher, 1992-1999 (File 1/Part 3 of 4) - Box 1 (MS Acc18.035)
Letters and cards from Dulcie Holland, Peter Sculthorpe and Delta Goodrem to Phillip Wilcher, 1992-2007 (File 1/Part 4 of 4) - Box 1 (MS Acc18.035)
Letters from Franz Holford (1906-1994), Auckland, New Zealand to Peter Wilcher, 1974-1992 (File 2) - Box 1 (MS Acc18.035)
Cards from Franz Holford (1906-1994), Auckland, New Zealand to Peter Wilcher, 1974-1992 (File 3) - Box 1 (MS Acc18.035)
Early letters of Miriam Hyde (composer, pianist, poet and educator) to Phillip Wilcher; Miriam Hyde obituaries (2005), 1972-2005 (File 4) - Box 2 (MS Acc18.035)
Miscellaneous correspondence to Phillip Wilcher; cards to Phillip Wilcher and family; various email transcripts including several relating to The Wiggles Big Birthday DVD Special Feature, 1983-2015 (File 5) - Box 2 (MS Acc18.035)
Series. Music
Catalogue of compositions by Franz Holford; letters to Joy Wilcher; letter to Phillip Wilcher; poems by Franz Holford; unidentified photographs; Franz Holford CD track titles list; cards to P.Wilcher and family; signed copy of 'Elegy' by Franz Holford, 1975-2017 (File 10) - Box 3 (MS Acc18.035)
Printed and original music scores produced by Phillip Wilcher, c.2012 (File 11) - Box 3 (MS Acc18.035)
Dusk' music score by Franz Holford for Phillip Wilcher, 1992 (File 11A) - Folio-Box 5 (MS Acc18.035)
'Episodes for Piano' by Peter Racine Fricker with letter to Phillip Wilcher, 1978 (File 11B) - Folio-Box 5 (MS Acc18.035)
Series. Photographs
Series. Poetry
printed booklets written by Phillip Wilcher titled 'The Poetry of the Preludes'; 'Dialogues - Narratives on the oneness of being' and 'Divinity - A dialogue between the self and music at the source'; Cards and letter to Phillip Wilcher, 2015-2017 (File 15) - Box 3 (MS Acc18.035)
Class MS Acc21.078. Consignment received 2021, 1984-2021
0.15 metres,The MS Acc21.078 instalment comprises correspondence to Phillip Wilcher from US Pulitzer Prize winning American composer Ned Rorem and Vince Fronza (a personal friend of Liberace). Other correspondents include Gladys Luckie (Liberace's housekeeper), Mary Angus, Mary A. McKeown, Christine Edwards, Greg [no surname recorded] and Daniel Brown.
Letters from Gladys Luckie, 1991-2000 (File 1) - Box 1 (MS Acc21.078)
Includes greeting cards and letters. Gladys Luckie was Liberace's housekeeper.
Letters from Vince Fronza, 1989-1997 (File 2) - Box 1 (MS Acc21.078)
Includes letters; greeting cards; 1 black and white photograph and 8 colour photographs; an embroidery with beading; and printed materials. Other correspondents include Mary Angus, Mary A. McKeown, Greg [no surname recorded] and Daniel Brown. Vincent Lawrence Fronza, also known as Vince Fronza or Vinnie, was a pianist and a friend of Liberace.
Letters from Vince Fronza, 1989-2000 (File 3) - Box 1 (MS Acc21.078)
Includes letters; greeting cards; 6 colour photographs; and printed materials relating to Liberace, Vince's memorial service and church services. Other correspondents include Mary Angus and Mary A. McKeown.
Letters from Christine Edwards, other friends and associates, 2009-2021 (File 4) - Box 1 (MS Acc21.078)
Also includes greeting cards. Christine Edwards is Miriam Hyde's daughter.
Class MS 22.122. Consignment received 2022, 1894-2005
The MS Acc22.122 consignment comprises correspondence and music manuscripts collected by or addressed to composer Phillip Wilcher. Material relates to Miriam Hyde, John Howard, Archie Fraser, Sir Frank Callaway and Roger Woodward.
Series 1. Personal correspondence
Letters from John Howard, 1992-2002 (File 1) - Box 1 (MS Acc22.122)
Letters from Prime Minister John Howard to Phillip Wilcher regarding the Queen's visit to Australia in 1992, and thanking Wilcher for gifting some CDs. Includes envelopes.
Letter From Miriam Hyde, 15 November 2004 (Item 2) - Box 1 (MS Acc22.122)
Handwritten letter from Miriam Hyde, composer, to Wilcher. This is Hyde's final letter to Wilcher before she passed away.
Letter from Queen Elizabeth II's secretary, 29 April 1992 (Item 3) - Box 1 (MS Acc22.122)
Letter from John Haslam to Phillip Wilcher regarding the Queen's visit to Australia in 1992. Includes envelope.
Letter from Roger Woodward, 7 July 1972 (Item 4) - Box 1 (MS Acc22.122)
Handwritten letter from Roger Woodward to Jane Spring of Alberts. Includes a typed transcript.
Series 2. Music manuscripts
The Ring of New Bells by Miriam Hyde, 15 November 1973 (Item 5) - Box 1 (MS Acc22.122)
Handwritten copy of Miriam Hyde's piano piece. Originally composed 19 August 1959. Includes inscription to Phillip Wilcher.