Charles Delaware Staigers was an American

cornetist The cornet (, ) is a brass instrument similar to the trumpet but distinguished from it by its conical bore, more compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. There is also a soprano cor ...

. He was born on August 20, 1899, in

Muncie, Indiana Muncie ( ) is a city in Delaware County, Indiana, United States, and its county seat. It is located in East Central Indiana about northeast of Indianapolis. At the 2020 census, the city's population was 65,195, down from 70,085 in the 2010 c ...

. In 1914, he was hired to play in

Patrick Conway Patrick Conway (July 4, 1865 – June 10, 1929) was a prominent American bandleader during the golden era of professional bands. He often was referred to as Pat Conway or Patsy Conway. Early life Conway was born in Troy, New York, but moved to H ...

's band. In 1918, he joined

John Philip Sousa John Philip Sousa ( , ; November 6, 1854 – March 6, 1932) was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic music, Romantic era known primarily for American military March (music), marches. He is known as "The March King" or th ...

's band as the assistant to cornet soloist Frank Simon. He stayed with

through 1920. He played "Taps" at

's funeral. After leaving Sousa, he became first trumpeter at The Hippodrome and later at The Strand Theatre in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

. In 1926, he joined the

Goldman Band The Goldman Band was an American concert band founded in 1918 by Edwin Franko Goldman from his previous New York Military Band. Both bands were based in New York City. It was Goldman's contention that the New York symphony and orchestra musici ...

. His first appearance with The

Central Park Central Park is an urban park between the Upper West Side and Upper East Side neighborhoods of Manhattan in New York City, and the first landscaped park in the United States. It is the List of parks in New York City, sixth-largest park in the ...

before a crowd of over 25,000 people drew vociferous applause and bravos. He played with The

through 1934, and also for the 1942 season. He died on July 12, 1950, at age 50. In the words of

Edwin Franko Goldman Edwin Franko Goldman (January 1, 1878 – February 21, 1956) was an American composer and conductor. One of the most significant American band composers of the early 20th century, Goldman composed over 150 works, but is best known for his March ...

, Staigers was the "greatest cornetist in the world".

Discography

Solo recordings * '' The Carnival Of Venice'' (1929) ictor 21191-A* '' Napoli-Bellstedt'' (1929) ictor 21191-B* '' My Heaven Of Love'' (1929) ictor 22429-A** (Recorded October 25, 1929, at

Liederkranz Hall The Liederkranz of New York City is an organization devoted to cultural and social exchange as well as the sponsorship of musical events. Its activities are dedicated to the support, development and preservation of culture in New York City. Its ob ...

.) * '' Mi Cielo De Amor'' (1930) ictor 22429-A* ''(Released In Italy)'' * '' Princess Alice-Bellstedt'' (1929-1930) nknown With

Nat Shilkret Nathaniel Shilkret (December 25, 1889 – February 18, 1982) was an American musician, composer, conductor and musical director. Early career Shilkret (originally named Natan Schüldkraut) was born in New York City, United States, to parents w ...

and The Victor Salon Group * '' Oh, Promise Me'' (1929) ictor 22051-B ARTCO recordings * '' Official Bugle Calls'' (1939) RTCO 2897* '' Ten Trumpet/Cornet Instruction Lessons'' (1939) RTCO Children's recordings * '' Rusty In Orchestraville'' (1946) apitol BC 35* '' (Featured playing excerpt from "Carnival Of Venice" on Side 3)''

Published works

*'' Hazel (Dedicated To My Wife) (1929) Carl Fischer'' **'' Solo or Duet for various wind instruments'' *'' The Carnival Of Venice (1936) Carl Fischer'' **'' Solo for trumpet or cornet with band or piano accompaniment'' *''

The Three Stars ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...

(1940) Carl Fischer'' **'' Trumpet trio with piano'' *'' Flexibility Studies and Technical Drills - Part 1 3564(1950) Carl Fischer'' *'' Flexibility Studies and Technical Drills - Part 2 3648(1950) Carl Fischer''

Unpublished works

*'' International Fantasie'' (1928) **'' Cornet Solo with Band Accompaniment'' *'' Fantasie Caprice'' (1932) **'' Cornet Solo with Band Accompaniment'' *'' Capitol City (March)'' (1934) **'' March for Concert Band''

References

External links

Del Staigers - Cornet & Trumpet Soloist - YouTube

Staigers, Del - Discography of American Historical Recordings
{{DEFAULTSORT:Staigers, Del American cornetists 1899 births 1950 deaths