Guide to the Papers of Phillip Wilcher

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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

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

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
Extent
7.47 metres (17 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.

Conditions Governing Access

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn777339).

Conditions Governing Use

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

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.

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 1. First consignment 9 November 1995

Correspondence to Franz Holford, 1961-84; Notes on Alfred Domett; General correspondence, 1975-82 (File 1) - Box 1 (MS 8877)

Class 2. Addition 5 December 1995

Letter to Phillip Wilcher regarding Franz Holford from 'G.', 1975; 'Five Elizabethan songs' by Franz Holford, 1953 (File 2) - Box 1 (MS 8877)

Class 3. Addition 15 December 1995

General correspondence of Phillip Wilcher, 1985-91; 'Rhapsody sonata no.2' by Phillip Wilcher (File 3) - Box 1 (MS 8877)
Correspondence relating to 'The Wiggles', 1995 (File 4) - Box 1 (MS 8877)
Letters from Sir Frank Callaway, Betty Beath and Rosalind Carlson, 1995 (File 5) - Box 1 (MS 8877)
Letters from Ned Rorem, Peter Sculthorpe, Paul Bowles, 1985-95 (File 6) - Box 1 (MS 8877)
Letters from Dulcie Holland, 1992-95 (File 7) - Box 1 (MS 8877)
Letters from Miriam Hyde, 1972-95 (File 8) - Box 1 (MS 8877)

Class 4. Addition 10 February 1996 and 11 March 1996

Letters from Archie Fraser, a cello student in Leipzig, to home, 1893-94; Obituary for Mirrie Hill, 1986 (File 9) - Box 1 (MS 8877)

Class 5. Addition 18 April and 29 July 1996

Correspondence relating to 'The Wiggles', 1995-96 (File 10) - Box 1 (MS 8877)

Class 6. Addition 21 June 1996

General correspondence, 1996; Ave Maria for voice and piano by Phillip Wilcher, 1995 (File 11) - Box 1 (MS 8877)

Class 7. Addition 10 September 1996

Documents relating to the Australian Music Centre; Letters to Phillip Wilcher, 1996 including letters from Dulcie Holland and Miriam Hyde (File 12) - Box 1 (MS 8877)

Class 8. Addition 11 November 1996

'A miscellany of rhymed thoughts...' to Phillip Wilcher from Franz Holford; 'Dusk...a reverie for piano' by Franz Holford, with dedication to Phillip Wilcher (File 13) - Box 1 (MS 8877)

Class 9. Addition 7 October 1997

Correspondence with Alpis Liossatos, David Robinson, Edith and Marcel Radojebvic, 1977-97 (File 14) - Box 2 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Miriam Hyde, Ned Rorem, Peter Sculthorpe, Gordon Clarke, 1996 (photocopies) (File 15) - Box 2 (MS 8877)
Miscellaneous correspondence and photographs, 1973-97 (File 16) - Box 2 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Dulcie Holland, Carl Hammond, The Wiggles, 1990-97 (File 17) - Box 2 (MS 8877)

Class 10. Addition 30 September 1998

The Wiggles (File 18) - Box 2 (MS 8877)
Letters from Dulcie Holland, Miriam Hyde, Carl Hammond, Ned Rorem, Jack Larson, 1997-98 (File 19) - Box 2 (MS 8877)
Photocopies of reviews, 1997-98 (File 20) - Box 2 (MS 8877)
Papers about Liberace including letters from Gladys Luckie (housekeeper), Vince Fronza (friend) and others (File 21) - Box 2 (MS 8877)
Miscellaneous correspondence and unpublished pieces, 1991-98 (File 22) - Box 2 (MS 8877)
Photocopies of music scores (A3 size) (File) - Folio-Box 1 (MS 8877)

Class 11. Addition 5 January 2000

Photographs and school reports (File 23) - Box 3 (MS 8877)
The Wiggles, 1998-99 (File 24) - Box 3 (MS 8877)
Journal, 199-96 (not to be opened unless authorised) (File 25) - Box 3 (MS 8877)
Index of names mentioned in the letters of Vince Fronza to Wilcher (File 26) - Box 3 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Jeanell Carrigan and Linda Claussen (File 27) - Box 3 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Jack Larson, Miriam Hyde, Dulcie Holland, 1997-99 (File 28) - Box 3 (MS 8877)
Correspondence including letters of Betty Beath, Dawn Nettheim, Ron Payne (Australian Music Teacher Magazine), Gordon Clarke, Callaway Institute (W.A.) (File 29_30) - Box 3 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Australian Music Centre, 1996-99 (File 31) - Box 3 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Carl Hammond, Henry Howell (singer) and Minoan Music (File 32) - Box 4 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Rosemany Eather and photocopies of death and marriage certificates (File 33) - Box 4 (MS 8877)

Class 12. Addition 30 August 2000

Photocopies of music scores (File 34_36) - Box 4 (MS 8877)
Photocopies of music scores (A3 size) (File) - Folio-Box 1 (MS 8877)

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 Ned Rorem, Pamela Rallis, John Radicchi, 2000 (File 46) - Box 6 (MS 8877)
Correspondence with Dorothy Scott, Bevlah Soper, Peter Sculthorpe and Sotheby's, 2000 (File 47) - Box 6 (MS 8877)
Articles by Phillip Wilcher (File 48) - 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)
Correspondence with Film Australia, Milwaukee Public Library, Juilliard School (NY), 2MBS-FM, Institute of Early Childhood and others, 2000 (File 50) - Box 6 (MS 8877)
Manuscript and photocopied manuscript draft music scores (A3 size) (File) - Folio-Box 1 (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)
Typescript ans typescript photocopy articles and other writings by Wilcher, together with newspaper and magazine cuttings of reviews and other writings regarding Wilcher, 2001 (File 58) - Box 7 (MS 8877)
Typescript music scores (File 59) - Box 7 (MS 8877)
Manuscript and photocopied manuscript draft music scores (A3 size) (File [unnumbered]) - Folio-Box 2 (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)
Correspondence to Phillip Wilcher and Les Wilcher; death certificate and eulogy for Naomi Joy Wilcher, June 2005, 1976-2007 (File 6) - Box 2 (MS Acc18.035)
Correspondence to Joy Wilcher from Les Wilcher, 1947 (File 7) - Box 2 (MS Acc18.035)

Series. Music

Music scores written by Franz Holford, 1954-1969 (File 8) - Box 2 (MS Acc18.035)
Bound printed music scores written by Phillip Wilcher, c.2012 (File 9) - Box 2 (MS Acc18.035)
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)
Three CD release posters - Heaven-Haven music by Phillip Wilcher; The Bourbaki Ensemble - Mozart in Love; Into His Countenance by Phillip Wilcher, c.2012-2013 (File 11C) - Folio-Box 5 (MS Acc18.035)
'Explorations for piano and orchestra' - music score by Nigel Butterley, 1970 (File 11D) - Folio-Box 5 (MS Acc18.035)

Series. Photographs

Photograph of Roger Delius Fenby - aged 3 in 1948; unidentified photographs, c.1917 (File 12) - Box 3 (MS Acc18.035)
Unidentified negatives in original packets (File 13) - Box 3 (MS Acc18.035)
Family photographs, c.1940-2011 (File 14) - Box 3 (MS Acc18.035)
Photograph of Eastern Suburbs Junior Rugby League, 1917; photographs of two unidentified sports teams, c. 1900 -1917 (File 14A-14C) - Folio-Box 5 (MS Acc18.035)
Family wedding photographs, c.1940s-1950s (File 14D-14E) - Folio-Box 5 (MS Acc18.035)

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)
Tone Poems annotated 'For Gwen - December 8th 1943 - Franz' by Franz Holford, 1941 (File 16) - Box 4 (MS Acc18.035)
Through The Casement' annotated 'To my friend and fellow-composer Phillip Wilcher…..Franz Holford' Poem by Franz Holford, 1941 (File 17) - Box 4 (MS Acc18.035)

Series. Diaries/ Certificates

Tate Gallery Diary belonging to Franz Holford, 1973 (File 18) - Box 4 (MS Acc18.035)
S.M.A. Fathers Perpetual Mass Association enrollment certificate for Naomi Joy Wilcher, 2005 (File 19) - Box 4 (MS Acc18.035)

Series. Memorial Books

Memorial Book for Muriel Jane Thompson, 1985 (File 20) - Box 4 (MS Acc18.035)
Memorial Book for Naomi Joy Wilcher, 21 June 2005 (File 21) - Box 4 (MS Acc18.035)

Series. Newspapers

Copy of The Sydney Morning Herald, May 15, 1867; The Sun Herald, 16 March 1958, 1867-1958 (File 22-23) - Folio-Box 5 (MS Acc18.035)

Class MS Acc21.078. Consignment received 2021, 1984-2021

0.15 metres,

The MS Acc21.078 instalment comprises correspondence to Philip 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.

Letters from Ned Rorem, 1984-1998 (File 5) - Box 1 (MS Acc21.078)

Also includes greeting cards and printed materials relating to Ned Rorem. He is a Pulitzer Prize winning American composer, author, critic, teacher, and chamber musician.

Letters from Ned Rorem, 1989-2005 (File 6) - Box 1 (MS Acc21.078)

Also includes a letter from Crig Urquhart; and printed materials relating to Ned Rorem.


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