American. Born Louisville, KY, January 1, 1878. Died, NY, February 21, 1956. Composer. Bandmaster. Prolific composer of 150 pieces of band music, including 100 marches. Frequently held series of outdoor band concerts in the parks of NYC, including nightly during the summers between 1927-1947. Commissioned other composers to write for bands. Radio broadcasts and tours of his band concerts enjoyed wide popularity. Founder, First President, and Honorary Life President of the American Bandmasters Association. Goldman’s life is a story of true talent rising to the top. In 1887, his father died. Edwin was sent to an orphanage along with his four siblings while his mother tried to make a living as a piano teacher. He began early studies on cornet with the eminent cornet soloist Jules Levy. Edwin excelled in music and received a scholarship to study in NY at the National Conservatory of Music under Antonin Dvorak. He earned a living with the cornet, and by 1899 became principal with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra where he stayed for ten years. In 1911, he founded the New York Military Band which later, in 1920, became the Goldman Band, and still exists. He received over two dozen honorary degrees in his lifetime and became one of the most recognized people in NYC in his time. It was estimated that he gave over 8,000 concerts during his career. http://www.worldmilitarybands.com/Goldman.htm