Sid Ramin papers, circa 1957-2009, bulk 1957-1995

Creator:

Abstract:

Sid Ramin was a composer, conductor, and arranger for Broadway and Hollywood musicals and for television shows, including All My Children, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Gypsy, and West Side Story.

Extent:

120 linear feet 66 flat boxes, 5 record cartons, and 12 document boxes; 1 mapcase drawer; 2 CMI boxes

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

Song copies and the scores of the original orchestrations for the Broadway musicals Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, and I Can Get It For You Wholesale. Also, scores for the movie and stage orchestration and symphonic suite for West Side Story; and the original orchestral scores for the motion picture, Around The World In Eighty Days. The orchestration for this film was the work of Leo Shuken and Sid Cutner.

A majority of the contents in this collection are scores (in original, photocopied, and bound formats) for music arranged or composed by Sid Ramin throughout his career. The collection covers his work for Broadway, film, and television. It also includes scores arranged by Ramin for concerts and recording sessions by orchestral groups such as the Boston Pops and individual singers such as Barbra Streisand. Leonard Bernstein features prominently throughout the collection, as his musical West Side Story and its film adaptation are included, as well as several of Bernstein's other writings such as A Quiet Place, Mass, Jubilee Games, Sonata for Clarinet, and the Fanfare for John F. Kennedy.

Series I through V are largely composed of musical scores, although some folders also contain notes and brief correspondence between Ramin and his collaborators, and some scores have written annotation from Ramin and his collaborators in the margins. For 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, there are several folders of newspaper clippings with reviews of the production. The collection also includes a matted photograph of Sid Ramin taken in 2009.Series VI contains musical scores, along with ephemera relating to Ramin's collaborations. Series VIII contains audivisual material (mostly reels and casssettes). Series VII contains programs, awards, and other memorabilia relating to performances.

Biographical / historical:

Sidney Ramin (1919-2019) was an Academy Award, Grammy, and Daytime Emmy-winning orchestrator, composer, and arranger. From his long-spanning career, he was best known for his work as orchestrator for several prominent Broadway productions, including West Side Story (1957), Gypsy (1959), and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962). He was also well known for composing "Music to Watch Girls By," written as a commercial jingle for Diet Pepsi and first released in 1966 as a single by Bob Crewe. Additionally, he has composed and arranged scores for films and television programs, including Candid Camera, All My Children (for which he won a Daytime Emmy), The Milton Berle Show, and the made-for-television 1973 remake of Miracle on 34th Street.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--Ramin, Sid. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1968. Accession number--M-68.

Processing information:

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 08/--/89.

Boxes 28-51 processed by Callum Blackmore (GSAS) in 2024.

Addition to the collection processed by Emily Hawk (GSAS 2022), 2018-2019.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into nine series.

Accruals:

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The following boxes are located off-site: Boxes 25-51. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. Audiovisual materials are currently closed for digitization.

This collection has no restrictions. Audiovisual materials are currently closed for digitization.

Terms of access:

Permission required to copy music scores. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Sid Ramin papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
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Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection