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Fredric Wilson Obituary
FREDRIC
WOODBRIDGE
WILSON
AGE: 62
FORMERLY OF WALL
Fredric Woodbridge Wilson, Curator of the Harvard Theatre Collection, lecturer, and author, died Saturday, May 15, 2010, at his home of pancreatic cancer. He was 62 and lived in Watertown, Mass. Wilson was born Sept. 8, 1947 in Point Pleasant and the son of Fred W. Jr. and Ruth (Chapman) Wilson. He grew up in Wall and maintained a home there until 2008. He entered Lehigh University intending to major in physics, but graduated in 1969 as the school's first music major. While at Lehigh, Wilson developed a deep interest in choral music, having served as assistant conductor and then as manager of the university's glee club. Following his graduation, he returned to his own high school in Wall Township to become its Choral Director, and for the next 10 years, he led choirs at Wall High School and at several local colleges. While in graduate school for musicology at New York University, Wilson led the Washington Square Chorus, the choir of the NYU Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and several early music groups. Over a period of 12 years, he conducted more that 500 choral performances. During his busy conducting career, Wilson also worked as an editor and arranger for several music publishers and he prepared more that 50 arrangements of choral and early music. In 1982, he won four first-place awards from the American Choral Directors Association and the Music Publishers Association for excellence in editing early music. In 1981, Wilson joined the staff of the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York City as the Curator of the Morgan's Gilbert and Sullivan Collection. While at Morgan Library, Mr. Wilson mounted several exhibitions, most notably one in 1989 on the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. Wilson left the Morgan Library in 1996 to become the Curator of the Harvard Theatre Collection, the oldest and one of the largest collection of theatrical material in the world. Soon after moving to Harvard, he received a fellowship from the Guggenheim Foundation for his research in the history of theatrical publishing. Wilson published numerous books and articles on such diverse topics as Gilbert and Sullivan, the Renaissance composer Jacob Handl, the Ballet Russes, and most recently a book on the British theatrical photographer, Angus McBean. He served on the board of directors of the Dance Heritage Coalition, the Theatre Library Association, and the Music Publishers Association.
He is survived by his sister, Elaine C. Mazzara and a brother-in-law, Walter J. Mazzara of Brick; and two nieces, Jessica Mazzara DeRose of Trenton, and Andrea Mazzara of Boston, Mass.
Arrangements are private.
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Memories and Condolences
for Fredric Wilson
Sponsored by anonymous.
David Tompkins
November 19, 2023
During the holiday season, I am overwhelmed at times to be shocked in remembrance of Fred Wilson.
As a member of his chamber choir '74-'76 (no doubt the finest) I am so thankful to have been placed under his direction and been in the company of incredible talent surrounding, inspiring and encouraging.
Those times of Mr. Wilson questioning my desire, constant annotations on my music, Hugo on my left and always on pitch.
That pursuit of perfection was a cornerstone to my life foundation.
Thank you Mr. Wilson, for my questions, your focused answers and your time. The letter on my behalf to Virginia Wesleyan was incredible...
...I had no idea.
It seems as the years go by and Christmas is close, I will find myself alone after practicing hours of scales and knowing my fingers will never be as fast as my younger years, unplugging my guitar, turning off the amps (ignoring the #b hum in the ears that is now my constant companion ) softly singing in the glow of my foot pedal array "Lo How a Rose" and cry.
RIP
Gail Shepherd
May 20, 2023
Remembered always. Often I want to reach out to share something and am sadly reminded of your physical absence. You are truly missed.
Elaine
May 21, 2022
Not a day goes by without thinking of you. Thank you for all of my memories of growing up together. They bring smiles to my heart. You kept life interesting!
May 23, 2019
Remembering our brother/sister bond. Thank you for such wonderful memories of growing up together. I miss you, big brother, and will love you forever. Elaine
Jim Weisenbach
October 18, 2013
My best 'buddy' classmate! We worked together on audio/visual support for teachers. What a loss to us all!
John Hugo
June 22, 2013
I will always be grateful for the kindness shown to me by this remarkable man. I really wasn't very good when I transferred into Wall High School, but "Mr. Wilson" saw something in me that could be developed, and he started me on my musical course. So much of what I do now in music began under his guidance, especially in the areas of conducting, arranging, manuscript precision, and the relentless pursuit of quality. His love of all things G & S was infectious, and I will be forever grateful that he allowed me to sing my first Edwin in Trial by Jury: that first experience opened the door to so many other opportunities. I am forever in his debt on so many levels. He remains an inspiration to all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him or working with him. May he rest in peace.
May 16, 2013
How could 3 years have passed already. Seems like yesterday that we were playing duets in Mom and Dad's dining room. Thanks for nudging me to learn new things and be brave enough to perform. Love you, Brother
May 15, 2013
Remembering a remarkable man who filled our hears with music and changed our lives one note at a time...
Frank Cullen
December 4, 2012
A gracious and welcoming gatekeeper at HTC and a thoughtful scholar whose knowledge and interest in the worlds of performance was encyclopedic.
Gail (De Chiara) Shepherd
May 9, 2011
As the one year anniversary of our beloved's passing approaches, the void of his absence is still felt by all who loved him, for our hearts have been left with a hole in the shape of him.
Fredric Woodbridge Wilson---dearest Ric, you will never truly die, for you were loved by many and will live and shine in our hearts forever.
Mary Forson (Nassief)
April 26, 2011
Fredrick Woodbridge Wilson was a man that made an impact in the lives of everyone who knew him. He was our high school music director, a sort of stickler for perfectionism (well, about as much as one can be in a very small town with an even smaller group of 23 teens), and he was our friend. It was Fredrick Woodbridge Wilson who taught us the spiritual art of music, in which we all learned to share in his love.
It was not easy to be in the Wall Chamber Choir; Mr. Wilson demanded nothing but our entire souls…between rehearsals and performances, it left little time for other activities, yet somehow we all did it. We all loved it, and we all still remember the bond that was created within our little “band.” Not surprising that Mr. Wilson went on to share his talents at Harvard University.
Although his mortal life ended too soon at age 62, Mr. Wilson has advanced once again to conduct that perfect choir of Heavenly Hosts. May God bless you, Mr. Wilson, and I hope I have the distinct pleasure of singing with you, again.
Mark Drummond
January 14, 2011
Cutting and pasting music digitally now. Got me thinking back to the old cut-and-tape days. Ric would get so excited teaching us how to do things like finding the perfect edit point and doing the cut-and-tape method of splicing audio tape on a 1/4" reel. Or like teaching us how to feed and blot ink, or the different cool ways to use a stylus.
One day, while dipping a stylus into India Ink during a composition class in music theory, I mentioned different pens I had at home that my great-grandfather had given me. Ric asked me a bunch of questions about them with great detail of different styles that they may have been. I didn't know, so he asked me to bring them in the next day.
The following day I brought my pen collection into school and Ric seemed to take great delight in taking them apart and describing things that I knew nothing about like different style tip names and internal workings like bladders, nibs, ink channels, and breather holes. I had never taken the collection that seriously before.
Ric and I played with each of the different pens to see what cool caligraphy we could come up with and it cracked us up. I learned something, but it was fun. He allowed for the fun of discovery in play. Ric was a really cool kid...er...I mean, teacher. And I say that with all due respect.
I remember when I was on academic discipline for having cut too many classes (except for fun stuff like music, drama, P.E., German, logic, and biology:), Ric kind of wink-wink-nudge-nudge let me accompany rehearsals for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat in a practice room. I couldn't be in the production, but he still let me remain active behind the scenes. That was pretty cool.
And, speaking of cool, I don't know anybody else who wrote such an excellent arrangement of a Beetles song (Here, There, and Everywhere) that it replaced the Beetles' own arrangement on the sheet music shelves.
"Mr. Wilson, " a.k.a. "FWW," had a great sense of humor, too, laughing at himself calling his arrangement of Here, There, and Everywhere the "Ray Conniff" and "Muzak elevator music" version.
Ric was a really cool guy with a brilliant mind. He changed my life for the better, and beyond measure (pun not intended, but hey, I'll take it).
December 24, 2010
While most people remember Ric from a professional angle, I remember him from a sister's point of view. At this time of year I am fondly remembering all of our family Christmases spent together. Ric was always enthusiastic, a lot of fun and a wonderful gift giver. He put a lot of thought into choosing just the right present for each person in the family. They were unique, thoughtful, and always just right.
A special memory I have is of us playing a duet for the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at the Methodist Church in Manasquan. Ric played the organ while I played the piano. No mistakes! Whew!
Thanks Ric, for so many happy memories.
Mike Adams
December 22, 2010
Ric was an amazing artist as well as teacher. Although I was involved in the instrumental side of WHS Music, I was honored to be able to assist Ric by playing percussion for several special events with the Chorus and Chamber Choirs.
Ric was the 1st person to be able to teach music theory in a very understandable way for me.
He was there for all 4 years of my High School experience.
He was a very influential mentor and educator, and the world is truly missing one of the good ones..... Rest well, Mr. Wilson.. Fini....... Mike Adams WHS Class of 1974.
Carol Fine Hart
December 22, 2010
It wouldn't be Christmas if I didn't listen to our Christmas album. It is impossible to listen to the Wall Chamber Choir Christmas album this time of year and not think of FWW. You may be gone, but your influence on all of us will keep your memory alive for a long time to come.
Mark Drummond
December 22, 2010
Great mentor, teacher, friend, and encourager. Made an investment of time to coach me vocally, train me with theory, give advice on sight reading for voice and piano, help with understanding music theory, and worked especially hard on developing me as an actor. Brilliant. Inspiring. Clearly the single most influential teacher I've ever had.
Kyle Ridout
September 9, 2010
I first met Ric when he traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to curate a temporary exhibit of Gilbert and Sullivan manuscripts, scores and pictures for the Victorian Festival. I remember how organized and knowledgeable he was on the subject. Though somewhat reserved, I remember the whoop he let out when he discovered a picture of Mary Anderson in the photo stack of an antiquarian bookstore. One of many discoveries that day. Later, I remember the visit to the "family vault," his area of the Pierpont Morgan Library, and the honor he gave in allowing me to hold a Mozart manuscript. He was a scholar and a true gentleman, and I do not say that lightly.
John Whalen
July 22, 2010
When thinking back on our numerous teachers we had the pleasure of terrorizing in school, we usually have just a few that leave such a lasting impression that 33 years later, we can still remember certain details like they were yesterday. Like all the times we would get a sub after school at the sub shop across the street and then put the wrappers in Mr. Wilson's waste basket in his office because he always reminded us how much he hated that smell. Or the times, I would put a few drops of trumpet valve oil on his door knob and then act all innocent when he looked around the room for the perpetrator (if I recall, he usually had a handkerchief stashed away for such occasions.) Or the times Pete Anthony and I would get on the piano and the straddle staplers and bang out a Calypso version of Here, There and Everywhere while he was in his office and well within earshot of this travesty. But of course, the true nuggets stored in that file cabinet labeled "Wall High" in the far reaches of my brain are of the countless hours spent rehearsing for the Chamber Choir and Apollo Society. Memories of performing with Duke Ellington and in a venue like the Garden State Arts Center, and in all the extra-curricular performances like Trial By Jury at the Spring Lake Theater, are not what most kids leave high school with. The gifts at his command, and the confidence with which he wielded them, coupled with an untiring work ethic followed me through music school and I believe, to this day. I reached out to him a few years ago and I thanked him for his dedication. I'm glad I was able to do that.
Shannon Whalen-Wentworth
July 21, 2010
Since my brother and sister are older than me, I spent 7 years attending Wall High School choral concerts and theatrical productions directed by Mr. Wilson. I finally had the privilege of singing for him in the Chamber Choir my Freshman year. What I learned from him made me a better singer and spoiled me for any director I might sing with in the future.
When I transferred to another school at the end of that year what disappointed me the most was that I wasn't going to be at Wall my Senior year to sing his arrangement of The Beatles, "Here, There and Everywhere." He only had the Choir perform it once every 4 years and they sang it the year before I started high school. He was an awesome director and I am grateful for the time I had in his choirs. It is a time in my life I will never forget.
Erich Schwab
July 20, 2010
To say you were an outstanding teacher would be an understatement. You would imerse yourself into whatever you did, and expect no less from us. From the Chamber Choir, to Barbershop Quartets to driving me to college music auditions you surpassed what was required of you as a teacher and a friend. I haven't seen you in many years, but I will miss you.
July 7, 2010
To Ric's family,
I was shocked and deeply sad to learn of Ric's passing. What a treasure of knowledge he was, and always kind to me. Visiting his home in Watertown was an inspiration. His collection, and categorization, were very moving to behold.
With great sympathy and appreciation for his presence in our work lives here at Harvard, and his many educational contributions,
Cathleen McCormick
Director of Programs
Office for the Arts at Harvard
David Witten
June 13, 2010
I was fortunate to get to know Ric Wilson when he invited me to participate in the Diaghilev Festival that he organized last year. His tremendous energy for this project showed a beautiful balance of passion and scholarship, topped off with the most careful attention to detail that included the selection of greeting cards and party favors relating to Ballets Russes. The more I got to know Ric's work through his other exhibits, the more impressed I became. His passing is a great loss to the art world and to Harvard's Theater Collection, to which he was so devoted.
Ric conducts Lehigh Glee Club outdoors
June 7, 2010
Ric conducts Lehigh Glee Club
June 7, 2010
Keith Horr
June 3, 2010
Thank-You Mr. Wilson for being my teacher in high school.
You certainly taught us the true meaning of music and took a small group of chorus and called it The Wall Apollo Society and had us sing with Duke Ellington and his band at the Ocean Grove Auditorium one evening.........what an awesome experience....what an awesome teacher......Thank-You...
Keith Horr
Ric plays his guitar
June 2, 2010
Ric at Lehigh
June 2, 2010
Ric with High School Awards bonanza
June 2, 2010
RIc and Elaine play 4-hand piano
June 2, 2010
Ric and Dad at the beach
June 2, 2010
Ric carries Elaine at the Jersey Shore
June 2, 2010
Ric at the piano, w/Elaine and Dad
June 2, 2010
Elaine and Ric spacetravel
June 2, 2010
Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin
June 1, 2010
Here’s to the cherished memories of a very special friendship filled with intellectual romps, stimulating discussions about art and life, expert musical advice, musical support, shared concerts, dance performances, plays, musicals, uncovered Tcherepnin manuscripts, dinners, lovingly staged exhibits, brilliant and engaging conferences - Ric, your weakened body is finally at rest, and your strong, generous, ever-feisty spirit is alive and well in Watertown, Cambridge, and beyond!
Elaine Mazzara
May 31, 2010
What a great big brother! I miss the stories he told of his adventures and misadventures, his humor and love of life, his thoughtfulness and humility. Everything was so interesting to him. We had such fun growing up together!!!!
You are in my heart forever, Ric.
Love Always, Elaine
May 30, 2010
Kate and I will miss your genial friendship. In our visits to Cambridge in the future, we will always remember you. Gordon & Kate Hollis (Los Angeles)
Matt Weinberg
May 29, 2010
To Ric Wilson: A man with global knowledge of the history of music, dance, theater, and performance, who took care to make sure that others could access that learning. He loved the arts.
Nick Fera
May 28, 2010
I knew about Ric's many accomplishments, and his scholarly distinction. But he also was a fine, down-to-earth next-door neighbor, with a great sense of humor. He was, above all else, a real gentleman. We will miss him.
Gail Shepherd
May 28, 2010
Beyond The Clouds
Most of the battles of life are won by looking beyond the clouds to the sun...(Helen Steiner Rice)
Ric, you fought your last battle valiantly! You looked beyond the clouds to the Son, and in Him you have found brighter days and a happier, healthier you! Your earthly presence is indeed missed, but your essence lives in us forever!
Lynn Chapin
May 28, 2010
For Ric: learned scholar, respected professor, treasured friend. You are already deeply, profoundly missed.
Catherine Giesbrecht
May 28, 2010
Ric will never be forgotten by those of us who sang under his direction.
Thomas Lee
May 27, 2010
In memory of Ric Wilson, valued colleague and friend, and truly a man of the theater; he will be missed by his many admirers at Harvard and beyond. “Remember him hereafter as my honourable friend.” (Shakespeare, “King Lear,” Act I, Scene I)
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