Philip Springer has been nominated for a Webby Award.
Composer and Palisades resident Philip Springer, playing Moonlight Sonata on the piano, has been nominated for two Webby Awards: Best Individual Performance and Viral – Video.
Springer’s daughter Tamar wrote CTN that “He is nominated in two categories, but I am campaigning more for ‘Best Individual Performance.’”
Now, 97, Springer played “Moonlight Sonata” for his daughter, Tamar, on her birthday in November, almost three years ago. She posted a video of him playing Beethoven’s piece and it went viral click here.
Voting is open through April 18 at 11:59 p.m. and winners will be announced on April 23. The 28th Annual Webby Awards, will be hosed by Amber Ruffin on May 13 in New York City.
Established in 1996 during the Web’s infancy, The New York Times has hailed the Webby Awards as the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites and Mobile sites.
To vote: click here.
Springer’s daughter Tamar wrote, “My dad is turning 98 on May 12 and it would be an amazing birthday gift.” Her father, a long-time Palisades resident, is the composer of the popular Christmas song “Santa Baby.”
Springer was born in New York City and went to grade and high school on Long Island. In 1944 he graduated from Lawrence High School, where he was voted the most musical person of his class.
During WWII, he served as a truck drive and was Mickey Rooney’s musical director in 1945 at a show in Germany. When Rooney was discharged, Springer took over his role as composer on an Army Show “Don’t Touch that Dial.”
Springer studied composition at Columbia College and graduated in 1950 While there he started writing songs. His first top ten song was “Teasin'” (lyrics by Richard Adler) in 1950 which was recorded by Connie Haines in the United States and by The Beverly Sisters in the UK.
He received a master’s degree from New York University, and his doctorate in composition at UCLA in 1973. Springer has been credited with 540 musical pieces, including songs for numerous well-known singers, such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Eartha Kitt and Elvis Presley.
Tamar Springer with her father Philip, who composed Santa Baby.
Thanks so very much, Sue!