Guide to the Papers of Patrick Thomas, 1917-2014

Summary

Collection number:

MS 8341 et al

Creator:

Thomas, Patrick

Extent:

(40 ms boxes, 3 folio boxes, 4 packets, 1 poster tube, 1 folder)

Language:

English and English

Preferred citation:

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Patrick Thomas, National Library of Australia, [class/series/file number]'.

Availability:

Available

Access conditions:

Part available for research; part not available for research. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

MS 8341 comprises personal and professional correspondence, original music scores and published musical works, contracts, itineraries, concert programs and posters, newspaper cuttings, reviews, publicity material, an autograph book, newsletters, biographical material and photographs. The collection also includes the typescript of an unpublished biographical work titled 'Behind the scenes: what the audience never knew: a conductor's reminiscences', another unpublished autobiography, 'Maestro down under: fifty years of music', an unpublished article by Thomas titled 'Orchestras in the 21st century', and a copy of his book, A conductor's musings (some thoughts in verse).As well as the Australian Broadcasting Commission and numerous theatrical companies, correspondents in MS 8341 include Aaron Copeland, Colin Brumby, Lyle Cresswell, John Curro, Don Banks, Sir Bernard Heinze, Henry Krips, Charles Lisner, William Lovelock, Ezra Rachlin, John Reid, David Stanhope, Peter Tahourdin and Larry Sitsky (24 boxes, 2 fol. boxes, 1 poster tube).

Biographical / Historical:

Flautist, orchestral conductor and writer. Alan Patrick Thomas (MBE) has had a distinguished career as a flautist, choirmaster and conductor. He made his first appearance as a soloist in 1946 with the ABC's Brisbane Symphony Orchestra and from 1951 until 1955 he was a flautist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. From 1959 to 1963 he was founder and conductor of the Patrick Thomas Singers in Brisbane. In 1964 Thomas was appointed resident conductor of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust Opera Company and the Australian Ballet. He went on to work with the South Australian Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Opera Company, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the Wellington City Opera in New Zealand. In 1998 he was the first Australian conductor to become an honorary life member of the Fellowship of Australian Composers. As a writer, Thomas has published poetry and an autobiography, Upbeats and downbeats: a conductor's life (2010).

Provenance:

The Original Consignments were acquired by the Library from Patrick Thomas in instalments received in 1989 (MS 8341, Boxes 1-15), 1992 (MS 8341, Boxes 16-17), 1995 (MS 8341, Boxes 17-20), 1998 (MS 8341, Box 20), 2000 (MS 8341, Boxes 22-23) and 2001 and 2004 (MS 8341, Box 23). Some instalments were acquired under the Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme and some were donated.

Arrangement:

The papers are listed in the order in which they were received, forming a generally chronological arrangement.

Conditions Governing Access:

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2701712).

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 Patrick Thomas, National Library of Australia, [class/series/file number]'.

Location of this collection:

National Library of Australia

Parkes Place

Canberra ACT 2600, Australia

Contact:

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