Edwin Franko Goldman was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 1,
1878. He came from a distinguished musical family. His uncles were Sam
Franko and Nahan Franko, both prominent in New York as conductors,
violinists, and pioneers in the presentation of free concerts. Goldman
attended the National Conservatory in New York, specializing in the
cornet. After completing his training with Jules Levey, he served for
ten years as solo cornetist of the Metropolitan Opera orchestra. In 1911
he organized his first band. Seven years later he founded the famous
Goldman Band which from then on gave free concerts in New York and
Brooklyn public parks, and elsewhere on tour. Under his direction it
became one of the outstanding musical organizations of its kind in the
country, presenting a remarkable repertory of popular music, light
classics, and band transcriptions of symphonic and operatic
compositions. Goldman conducted his band until his death, which took
place in New York on February 21, 1956. He was succeeded by his son,
Richard Franko Goldman, who for many years had served as his father’s
assistant.
For his concerts Goldman wrote over a hundred marches which have won him
recognition as John Philip Sousa’s successor. The best of the Goldman
marches won immediate success for their robust tunes and vigorous beat.
These include: “Central Park,” “Children’s March,” “On the Campus,” “On
the Farm,” and “On the Mall.”
The “Children’s March,” is actually an adaptation for band of several
children’s tunes including “Three Blind Mice,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Here
We Go Round the Mulberry Bush,” presented in march time.