Scope and arrangement
The Stan Applebaum papers, which date from 1940 to 2007, reveal his work in three main areas: arrangements for orchestra, often with vocalist; music for commercial advertising; and compositions, including songs written in partnership with lyricists. The papers are comprised mainly of scores for arrangements, orchestrations, and compositions; and sound recordings of Applebaum's music for radio and television advertising, as well as his original concert music. Business letters and contracts are also present.
The majority of the scores are arrangements and orchestrations commissioned by clients such as the conductor Skitch Henderson; The New York Pops and other orchestras; and performers such as Ben E. King and Neil Sedaka. The scores for radio and television advertising include spots for major national brands such as Xerox, Johnson and Johnson, and Sears. Scores for Applebaum's compositions consist of piano, orchestral, and chamber music, as well as songs composed with various lyricists.
The business files contain letters and contracts regarding publishing, copyright, licensing, and advertising.
The sound and moving image recordings mainly hold audio of Applebaum's music for advertising, as well as a film of one commercial. Also present are recordings of Applebaum compositions and songs; his arrangements and productions for other artists; and recordings of unknown connection to Applebaum.
The Stan Applebaum papers are arranged in three series:
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1940-2007
The majority of this series consists of arrangements and orchestrations commissioned by clients such as the conductor Skitch Henderson; The New York Pops and other orchestras; performers such as Ben E. King, Neil Sedaka, Claire Barry, and Connie Francis; and the producers of the Broadway musical Raggedy Ann. These mostly date from the 1990s to early 2000s. The scores for radio and television advertising include major national brands such as Xerox, Johnson and Johnson, Sears, Noxzema, and Eastern Airlines; most date from the 1960s and 1970s. Applebaum's own music scores consist of concert music as well as songs composed with various lyricists, and date from throughout his career.
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1962-1991
Applebaum's business files hold letters, publishing contracts, copyright forms, and licensing agreements. The letters pertain to commissions, licensing, advertising, and pitches for arranging or orchestration work. The publishing and copyright files have a few separate files for particular works, but most of the content is arranged chronologically, with only one form or contract per work. A file for S.A Productions contains a brochure prepared for an advertising agency in 1984 outlining the firm's track record and Applebaum's achievements in advertising. Also present is material created for inclusion in a music education book by Applebaum.
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1951-1989
The sound and moving image recordings consist primarily of music composed and arranged for radio and television commercials, as well as the commercials themselves, some in the form of "demo reels," or samples of Applebaum's work sent to advertising agencies or clients. They also hold demonstration recordings of his songs and compositions, recording sessions he produced for other artists, and recordings of indeterminate connection to Applebaum. Also present are the original media box listings and recording data sheets, which have detailed information on content and configurations for multi-track recordings. These content sheets are in boxes 22 through 24, and are filed by original media identification number.
The commercials are in the form of both multi-track recordings and mono or stereo final mixed versions. Among the national brands represented are Sears, Noxzema/Cover Girl, Air France, Goodyear, Mattel, Xerox, National Airlines, and Pall Mall. There is one film present of a television commercial for Hi-C.
The demonstration recordings consist primarily of song demos (written by Applebaum in collaboration with various lyricists), but also include instrumentals, and music written for the film Pit Stop.
The recordings produced for other artists include multi-track and mixed recordings for releases by Alfonso D' Artega, Cornell Hunter, Cinthy Churchill, Diane Leslie (the wife of Stan Applebaum), and Paul Hampton. Among the recordings of unknown relation to Applebaum are songs by Lionel Bart for his unproduced musical, Gulliver's Travels, and performances by the Bulgarian clarinetist Petko Radev.