WILSON, Alan (b 1947)

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0370 AW
Held at	: Queen Mary, University of London   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.library.qmul.ac.uk/ ›
Full 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
Detailed catalogue	: Click here to view repository detailed catalogue

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 & 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

Related material:

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Complied by Nicola Wood

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
Jun 2015