Harry Simeone composer / arranger
date of birth:09.05.1911
date of death:22.02.2005
Harry Moses Simeone (May 9, 1911 February 22, 2005) was an American music arranger, conductor and composer, best known for arranging the famous Christmas song "The Little Drummer Boy", for which he received co-writing credit.
Simeone was born in Newark, New Jersey. He grew up listening to stars performing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, not far from his native Newark. Initiated and inspired by this childhood passion, he sought a career as a concert pianist. To this end, he enrolled in the Juilliard School of Music, which he attended for three years, but when he was offered work at CBS as an arranger for bandleader Fred Waring, he dropped out of Juilliard to accept it.
After garnering vocal and music arrangement credits for the 1938 RKO motion picture Radio City Revels, Simeone relocated to Hollywood with his wife, Margaret McCravy, who briefly sang with Benny Goodman's orchestra, using the stage name Margaret McCrae, and later with Fred Waring. Once there, he had various music production jobs for several Paramount films between 1939 and 1946, including some that starred Bing Crosby. Sometime in 1948, Simeone joined NBC's The Swift Show as the program's orchestra leader, and during 1952, he joined NBC's The Firestone Hour as conductor and choral arranger.
"The Little Drummer Boy"
When the Twentieth-Century Fox Records label contracted Simeone to make a Christmas album in 1958, he assembled a group he called "The Harry Simeone Chorale" and searched for recording material. After being introduced to an obscure song by friend and credited song co-author Henry Onorati, titled "Carol of the Drum", Simeone changed the title to "The Little Drummer Boy" and recorded it under that title for his album Sing We Now of Christmas. He received joint authorship-and-composition credit for the album, although he did not actually write or compose the song. The single "The Little Drummer Boy" quickly became extremely popular and scored on the U.S. music charts from 1958 to 1962. The Simeone Chorale had another Christmas success during 1962, with their rendition of the then-new song Do You Hear What I Hear? for Mercury Records.
In 1960, Simeone joined a revived half-hour version of The Kate Smith Show on CBS television, produced by Smith's long-time manager, Ted Collins. Though the program had good reviews, audience levels lagged at an early evening time, and the show was cancelled after some six months on the air.
In the same year, 1960, Simeone organized another group, which he called "The Harry Simeone Songsters", whose style he made similar to that of the Ray Conniff Singers. Under his direction, that group produced a baseball-oriented song called It's a Beautiful Day for a Ball Game. The song is on one of the Baseball's Greatest Hits CDs and is still played at major league baseball parks.
In 1964, Simeone signed with Kapp Records. The following year he recorded a new version of "The Little Drummer Boy" for his album O' Bambino The Little Drummer Boy.
On May 22, 2000, Simeone and his wife, by then living on the Upper East Side of New York City, officially established the Harry and Margaret Simeone Music Scholarship at Yale University by bestowing a gift of US$1 million. Margaret died the following year, after which Harry's health declined. On Tuesday, February 22, 2005, Harry died at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan, almost three months before he would have reached the age of 94. Simeone's granddaughter Laura Stevenson also became a musician, becoming the frontwoman of Laura Stevenson and the Cans.
Simeone was born in Newark, New Jersey. He grew up listening to stars performing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, not far from his native Newark. Initiated and inspired by this childhood passion, he sought a career as a concert pianist. To this end, he enrolled in the Juilliard School of Music, which he attended for three years, but when he was offered work at CBS as an arranger for bandleader Fred Waring, he dropped out of Juilliard to accept it.
After garnering vocal and music arrangement credits for the 1938 RKO motion picture Radio City Revels, Simeone relocated to Hollywood with his wife, Margaret McCravy, who briefly sang with Benny Goodman's orchestra, using the stage name Margaret McCrae, and later with Fred Waring. Once there, he had various music production jobs for several Paramount films between 1939 and 1946, including some that starred Bing Crosby. Sometime in 1948, Simeone joined NBC's The Swift Show as the program's orchestra leader, and during 1952, he joined NBC's The Firestone Hour as conductor and choral arranger.
"The Little Drummer Boy"
When the Twentieth-Century Fox Records label contracted Simeone to make a Christmas album in 1958, he assembled a group he called "The Harry Simeone Chorale" and searched for recording material. After being introduced to an obscure song by friend and credited song co-author Henry Onorati, titled "Carol of the Drum", Simeone changed the title to "The Little Drummer Boy" and recorded it under that title for his album Sing We Now of Christmas. He received joint authorship-and-composition credit for the album, although he did not actually write or compose the song. The single "The Little Drummer Boy" quickly became extremely popular and scored on the U.S. music charts from 1958 to 1962. The Simeone Chorale had another Christmas success during 1962, with their rendition of the then-new song Do You Hear What I Hear? for Mercury Records.
In 1960, Simeone joined a revived half-hour version of The Kate Smith Show on CBS television, produced by Smith's long-time manager, Ted Collins. Though the program had good reviews, audience levels lagged at an early evening time, and the show was cancelled after some six months on the air.
In the same year, 1960, Simeone organized another group, which he called "The Harry Simeone Songsters", whose style he made similar to that of the Ray Conniff Singers. Under his direction, that group produced a baseball-oriented song called It's a Beautiful Day for a Ball Game. The song is on one of the Baseball's Greatest Hits CDs and is still played at major league baseball parks.
In 1964, Simeone signed with Kapp Records. The following year he recorded a new version of "The Little Drummer Boy" for his album O' Bambino The Little Drummer Boy.
On May 22, 2000, Simeone and his wife, by then living on the Upper East Side of New York City, officially established the Harry and Margaret Simeone Music Scholarship at Yale University by bestowing a gift of US$1 million. Margaret died the following year, after which Harry's health declined. On Tuesday, February 22, 2005, Harry died at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan, almost three months before he would have reached the age of 94. Simeone's granddaughter Laura Stevenson also became a musician, becoming the frontwoman of Laura Stevenson and the Cans.
The Little Drummer Boy Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: The Little Drummer Boy
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
UPC: 747510013617
Chorpartitur
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr:
Alternative Artikelnummer:
3,25 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:839049
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Little Brown Jug Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Little Brown Jug
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 1956
Chorpartitur
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr: 1956
Alternative Artikelnummer ...
3,50 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:839043
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Let's Sing the Old Songs Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Let's Sing the Old Songs - 100 Pack Song Sheets
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 1978
UPC: 888680041175
100 Pack Song Sheets
Chorpartitur
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Serie/Se ...
12,90 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:838991
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Let's Sing the Old Songs Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Let's Sing the Old Songs
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 1963
Chorpartitur
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr: 1963
Alternative Artik ...
5,10 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:838990
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Ludwig van Beethoven / Arr.Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - (StudioTrax CD)
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: Chor
Produkttyp / Product: CD
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: CD
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 2007
(StudioTrax CD)
CD
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: Chor
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr: 2007
Alternati ...
35,70 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:838791
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Ludwig van Beethoven / Arr.Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 1964
Chorpartitur
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr: 1964
Alternative ...
3,25 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:838788
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Jingle Bells Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Jingle Bells
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 1953
UPC: 747510002116
Chorpartitur
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr: 1953
Alternative ...
3,25 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:838754
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Holly Jolly Christmas, A Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Holly Jolly Christmas, A
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: 2-Part Choir
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 1974
UPC: 747510033738
Chorpartitur
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: 2-Part Choir
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Ersche ...
3,50 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:838370
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Holly Jolly Christmas, A Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Holly Jolly Christmas, A
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SSA
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 1966
UPC: 888680050009
Chorpartitur
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SSA
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr: 1966
A ...
3,50 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:838369
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
A Holly Jolly Christmas Johnny Marks / Arr.Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: A Holly Jolly Christmas
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 1964
Chorpartitur
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr: 1964
Alternative Artike ...
3,25 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:838368
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Go Tell It on the Mountain Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Go Tell It on the Mountain
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: TTBB
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 1969
UPC: 884088866297
Chorpartitur
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: TTBB
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr: 19 ...
3,50 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:838097
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Go Tell It on the Mountain Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Go Tell It on the Mountain
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 1958
UPC: 747510014799
Chorpartitur
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SATB
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr: 19 ...
3,25 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:838095
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Do You Hear What I Hear? Noel Regney & Gloria Shayne / Arr.Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Do You Hear What I Hear? - (StudioTrax CD)
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: Chor
Produkttyp / Product: CD
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: CD
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 2006
UPC: 747510075363
(StudioTrax CD)
CD
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: Chor
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr: 2 ...
38,70 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:837741
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Do you hear what I hear (IPAKB) Noel Regney & Gloria Shayne / Arr.Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Do you hear what I hear (IPAKB)
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: Combo
Produkttyp / Product: Stimmensatz
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Stimmensatz
UPC: 747510021995
Stimmen-Set
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: Combo
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr:
Alternative Artikelnummer:
32,10 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:837740
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Do You Hear What I Hear? Noel Regney & Gloria Shayne / Arr.Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Do You Hear What I Hear?
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: TTBB
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 1967
Chorpartitur
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: TTBB
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr: 1967
Alternative Artik ...
3,25 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:837739
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)
Do You Hear What I Hear? Noel Regney & Gloria Shayne / Arr.Harry Simeone
Titel / Title: Do You Hear What I Hear?
Herausgeber / Publisher: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SSA
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
Serie / Series: Shawnee Press
Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur
EAN: 5020679576915
UPC: 747510014881
Chorpartitur
Herausgeber: Shawnee Press
Instrumentation: SSA
Serie/Series: Shawnee Press
Erscheinungsjahr:
Alternative Artikelnummer:
3,25 €
inc. tax
plus shipping
plus shipping
Duration:--:-- min
Difficulty:-
Difficulty:-
Article Nr:837738
available in 10 days*
available in 10 days*
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/wishlist_add.png)
![](https://www.hebu-music.com/img/icons/cart_add_big.png)