John Wilson papers, 1890-1992, 1949-1992 (bulk)

Links

• View catalog record
• View PDF finding aid (206.56 KB)

Creator

Wilson, John W., 1927-1992.

Location

Music Division

Extent

• 7 linear ft. (22 boxes)

Scope/Contents Note

The John Wilson papers document his diverse career as a composer, choreographer, and teacher. The majority of thecollection consists of scores, writings, and teaching materials created by Wilson. The scores, many of which date from Wilson's time at Pomona College, provide insightinto Wilson's training and artistic background; also incuded are the scores for the larger productions he staged while teaching at college and universities. Wilson's writings were varied, but include a number of critical reviews he wrote for a WBAI radio program. These writings chiefly chronicle Wilson's artistic tastes in thelate 1960s, containing descriptions of musical and dance events he attended in the New York City area during that period. Wilson's teaching materials are mostly related to his tenure at the Julliard School. The collection of programs and clippings add specific information and detailto the nature of Wilson's compositions and performances.

Biographical/Historical Notes

Founding member of the Joffrey Ballet, John Wilson was a prolific performer, composer, and choreographer, who taught and created dance and music in a variety of styles. Wilson was born in Los Angeles in 1948 and studied language and dance at Pomona College in Claremont, California. He later studied dance in New York with Katherine Dunham and trained in eurythmics at the DalcrozeInstitute in Geneva. As a dancer, Wilson was with the Joffrey from 1956 until 1964, when he joined the Harkness Ballet. As a solo performer, Wilson appeared in the companies of Joyce Trisler, Pearl Lang, Anna Sokolow and Valerie Bettis, and with the Julliard Dance Theater under the direction of Doris Humphrey. Wilson also toured extensively with the Dance Theater Workshop and collaborated with Lenore Latimer at the American Theater Workshop. Additionally, he was a member of Kei Takei's Moving Earth.

As a choreographer, Mr. Wilson presented works in New York with his own company at Dancers Studio, ChoreoConcerts, and the Dance Theater Workshop. Wilson's work has been performed by such small theater groups as the SoHo Rep, LaMama, and South Street Theater in New Yorkand the Theater Group in Los Angeles. Wilson also was a scholar of the Dada Surrealist movement and presented manylectures and workshops on the subject. He served on the faculty of several institutions over his career, includingthe Julliard School, the Laban Center of London, and the Harkness School. John Wilson also served on the board of Dance Theater Workshop and was a member of the Actors Equity Association and The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. John Wilson died of AIDS in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Manhattan on February 24, 1992.

Controlled Access Terms

• Wilson, John W., 1927-1992.
• Choreographers -- United States -- 20th century.
• Composers -- United States -- 20th century.
• Dance teachers -- United States -- 20th century.
• Music teachers -- United States -- 20th century.
• Clippings.
• Programs.
• Scores.
• Choreographers.
• Composers.
• Dance teachers.
• Music teachers.

Additional Creator Name

• American Music Collection.