South Caroliniana Library
Lanny and Sidney Palmer left an indelible mark on South Carolina’s cultural landscape, their influence spanning over five decades. This dynamic couple’s artistic endeavors encompassed an impressive array of creative disciplines, ranging from classical music performance, composition, and conducting to opera, choral performance, musical theater, dance, television production, photography, music education, and voice pedagogy. Their immense contributions have been commemorated in a significant collection that includes musical scores, audio and video recordings, photographs, scrapbooks, correspondence, performance programs, and ephemera, all intricately linked to their extraordinary lives and careers.
The Lanny and Sidney Palmer Endowment Fund, established in 2014 at the South Caroliniana Library, is built around this cherished collection. It provides essential support for the Lanny and Sidney Palmer Cultural Arts Collection, facilitating activities such as processing, preservation, programming, and publications. Moreover, it aids in enhancing access to these invaluable materials through additional resources and staff.
Lanny Palmer, born in Columbia, South Carolina on August 30, 1931, displayed her musical aptitude from a young age. Her piano studies commenced at the tender age of four, and she continued honing her skills throughout high school. Eventually, she earned a degree in piano performance and voice from Columbia College, further pursuing a master’s degree in Voice Performance at Indiana University. Under the tutelage of esteemed mentors such as Martha Lipton, Boris Goldovsky, Hans Busch, Ross Allen, and John Wustman, Lanny emerged as a soprano of immense talent. Alongside her tenure as a music professor at Columbia College, she graced numerous operas and musical theater productions with her exceptional performances.
Sidney J. Palmer, born and raised in Baytown, Texas, revealed his prodigious musical talent at an early age. His formal music studies commenced at the Houston Conservatory of Music when he was just four years old. By 12, he had graduated from the conservatory and soon became a sought-after solo pianist for orchestras. At 17, he completed his studies in composition and conducting at the University of Texas. Sidney’s musical education continued with influential figures like Leonard Bernstein, Oliver Messiaen, Mme. Olga Samaroff, Aaron Copland, and Serge Koussevitzky.
Sidney Palmer’s versatile career encompassed multiple roles, including working at NBC Radio in New York, where he immersed himself in the emerging realm of television. He produced and directed diverse programs, notably including “Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra.” Additionally, Sidney contributed as a touring concert pianist, conductor for the Little Rock Philharmonic, and accompanist for the Metropolitan Opera. In 1960, he moved to Columbia, South Carolina, to further his television career at WIS TV. Eventually, in 1979, Sidney joined South Carolina ETV as Executive Director for National Programming, where he spearheaded the production of numerous cultural and arts programs.
The enduring legacy of Lanny and Sidney Palmer continues to resonate within South Carolina’s cultural heritage, inspiring generations of artists and enthusiasts alike. Explore this remarkable digital collection that honors their accomplishments, paying tribute to their unwavering dedication to the arts and education.
Media Types
- Archives & Correspondence
- Audio & Oral Histories
- Books & Pamphlets
- Film
- Images & Postcards
- Manuscripts & Diaries
- Objects
- Periodical
- Photographs
- Posters & Art
- Sheet Music