Joe Raposo Papers

Collection — Box: Shared Box 59, Folder: 14-15

Identifier: GTM-141028

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Scope and Contents

Autograph music manuscripts for songs. Music by Raposo, lyrics by Eric Bentley.

Titles include: Song of Scum; Little Bill; Galy Gay's Song; The Song of God; Song of the Ganges; Widow Begbick's Man's Man; The Recruiting Song; Barrel Song.

Dates

Creation: 1964

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers are solely responsible for determining the copyright status of the materials they may wish to use, establishing who the copyright owner is, locating the copyright owner, and obtaining permission for your intended use.

Biographical Note

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Joseph Raposo (d. 1989) was a prolific musical talent who devoted much of his work to producing music for children. In college at Harvard University, Raposo developed his talents in the theatrical arts. Soon after his college graduation, he studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris.

Moving to New York City, Raposo began his spectacular career as a composer. Raposo took an active part in the creation of popular children's television show "Sesame Street" in 1970. In fact, he worked as the show's first musical director. Raposo wrote many works for television shows, including the "Cabbage Patch Kids," the CBS Morning News, the "Electric Company," Muppet productions, Dr. Seuss specials, "Three's Company," and "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" special. Raposo worked closely with Fred Astaire, Ethel Mermen, Woody Allen, and Robin Gibb, among many others.

In his lifetime, Raposo was awarded five Grammys, and he also produced a number of gold and platinum records. He won honorary doctorates from Hope College, Mount St. Mary's College, and Southeastern Massachusetts University.

Joseph Raposo died in 1989. That same year, he posthumously received the Life Time Achievement Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

[Source: "Joe Raposo Songbook" in Box 1 Folder 76 of the Joseph Raposo Papers GTM-980701].