IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0370 AW
Held at: Queen Mary, University of London
Title: WILSON, Alan (b 1947)
Date(s): c1976-2013
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: 1 box
Name of creator(s): Wilson | Alan | b 1947
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
Alan Wilson became Director of Music at Queen Mary in 1976. There is no formal music faculty here but instead a lively music tradition thrives, given as extra-mural activities by students and staff. At the heart of the musical life is the output of the Music Society, which presents thematic based concerts related to music studied in the semester, the most important event being the Christmas Concert. Much research is undertaken by Alan, including new discoveries and transcriptions along with frequent re-arranging of standard repertoire. Original works and commissions include The Palace of Delights (A Musical from 1984), The Harmony of the Spheres (An inter-faith cantata from 2001) and The Downs (A cantata from 2007 set to words by Constance Maynard, the First Principal of Westfield College). Alan regularly organises music for both the Graduation Ceremonies and the William Harvey Memorial Service, along with many other occasions that require music. A CD was produced in 2001 and further projects are in the pipeline.
Alan was a scholar at the Royal College of Music and the Amsterdam Conservatorium. He specialised in Early Music (as a pupil of Gustav Leonhardt) and composition. Before arrival at QMC he was tutor of early keyboard instruments at Goldsmiths College and conductor of several school choirs. Between 1973 and 1986, he was Director of Music at the London University Church of Christ the King, which inspired many choral compositions, and then in 1986 became Organist at St. Mary-le-Bow, City of London (the famous Bow Bells church), a post he still holds. As harpsichordist and continuo player, he has performed in many countries, and for many years was the keyboard player in the celebrated group The Consort of Musicke. As composer, he regularly receives commissions from the UK and abroad, many works now published. He frequently composes/arranges and directs music for the BBC, most notably Radio 4's Daily Service, and also acts as a liturgical advisor in the work of the Royal School of Church Music.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
The Palace of Delights, by Alan Wilson, November 1985. Audio recording on tape and CD.
Where the clocktower stands in the Mile End Road c 2001. Audio recording on CD.
Programme and papers relating to the Christmas concert 2007.
Scores of pieces written by Alan Wilson including 'Ode to Music' for Robert Tong's retirement; Christmas carol arrangement for 'Wish you a Merry Christmas'; QMUL and Westfield College songs; Palace of Delights vocal and orchestral score.
The Palace of Delights correspondence, posters, notes connected to the play; programmes 1979-1999; flyers for events 2013.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
1 box as set out in Scope and Content
Conditions governing access:
Open. The Archives are available for access in the Archives Reading Room located on the 2nd Floor of the Mile End Library. The Archives Reading Room is open Mondays to Fridays 9am-4pm by appointment only. Contact the Archives for more information: Archives, Main Library QMUL, 328 Mile End Rd, London E1 4NS, telephone: 020 7882 3873, email: archives@qmul.ac.uk. For more information about the Archives see the website: www.library.qmul.ac.uk/archives.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Applications for copies for research or publication should be made to the Archivist: Main Library QMUL, 328 Mile End Rd, London E1 4NS, telephone: 020 7882 7873, email: archives@qmul.ac.uk.
Finding aids:
No additional finding aids.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Retained in situ at Queen Mary, and deposited by Alan Wilson in 2008.
ALLIED MATERIALS
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Complied by Nicola Wood
Date(s) of descriptions: Jun 2015