This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.

Edwin Franko Goldman discusses his life and career. He moved to New York at age eight, and by fifteen he was a professional musician. At seventeen he became a member of the Metropolitan Opera orchestra playing the trumpet (one of only two Americans).

Ten years later he resigned from the Metropolitan Opera orchestra. During the summers he played with bands in the parks. The bands seemed awful compared to the great orchestra; Goldman felt ashamed of the poor music and unrehearsed band.

Goldman wrote to composers asking them to write original band music. Bands only played orchestra transcriptions, and bands were looked down upon.

Not many professional bands still exist today, but college and high school bands have taken their place, and are sometimes excellent bands.

Goldman talks about free concerts he gave in the summer time. He had to raise the money himself for the first six years. He goes on to tell about his band's many endeavors throughout the years.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 72646
Municipal archives id: LT3076