Film Music

Frontis Burbank Wiggins’ Collection of Bing Crosby Materials

Frontis Burbank (Wig) Wiggins Jr. (1929–2019) was an internationally recognized expert on American popular singer, radio host, and actor Bing Crosby (1903–1977). He served for decades as the American Representative for the International Club Crosby, a Bing Crosby fan club. In his role with the Club, he developed enduring friendships with Bing enthusiasts all over the world, trading rare recordings and documenting and preserving Crosby’s musical legacy.

Mirskey Collection of Salon Orchestra and Silent Film Music

Born in Poland, Bronisław Mirski (1887–1927) was trained as a violinist and conductor. Around 1915 he relocated to the United States, where he became known as Nek (or Nicholas or Nick) Mirskey and began working as a theater orchestra conductor. At first he worked in small towns including Punxsutawney and DuBois, Pennsylvania, where he met his future wife, pianist Genevieve Wilson. After their marriage in 1917, he sought work in larger cities and subsequently worked in Boston, Dallas, New York, and Kansas City.

Stephen Foster Collection

Stephen C. (Collins) Foster (1826–1864) was born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, outside of Pittsburgh. He wrote songs in his youth to perform in amateur blackface minstrel shows and in parlors with his friends. After the immense success of “Oh! Susanna” and “Uncle Ned,” in 1849 Foster signed contracts with music publishers and embarked on a career as a songwriter.