Del Staigers

American cornetist and composer (1899–1950)

Del Staigers

Background information
Birth name	Charles Delaware Staigers
Born	(1899-08-20)August 20, 1899 Muncie, Indiana, United States
Died	July 12, 1950(1950-07-12) (aged 50) Los Angeles, California
Genres	Concert band
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instrument(s)	Trumpet, Cornet
Years active	1914-1950
Labels	RCA Victor Records, Capitol Records

Musical artist

Charles Delaware Staigers was an American cornetist. He was born on August 20, 1899, in Muncie, Indiana.^[1] In 1914, he was hired to play in Patrick Conway's band.^[2] In 1918, he joined John Philip Sousa's band as the assistant to cornet soloist Frank Simon. He stayed with John Philip Sousa through 1920.^[3] He played "Taps" at John Philip Sousa's funeral.^[2] After leaving Sousa, he became first trumpeter at The Hippodrome and later at The Strand Theatre in New York City.^[2] In 1926, he joined the Goldman Band. His first appearance with The Goldman Band in Central Park before a crowd of over 25,000 people drew vociferous applause and bravos.^[2] He played with The Goldman Band through 1934,^[4] and also for the 1942 season.^[5]

He died on July 12, 1950, at age 50.^[1] In the words of Edwin Franko Goldman, Staigers was the "greatest cornetist in the world".^[6]

Discography

Solo recordings

The Carnival Of Venice (1929) [Victor 21191-A]
Napoli-Bellstedt (1929) [Victor 21191-B]
My Heaven Of Love (1929) [Victor 22429-A]
- (Recorded October 25, 1929, at Liederkranz Hall, New York City.)
Mi Cielo De Amor (1930) [Victor 22429-A]
(Released In Italy)
Princess Alice-Bellstedt (1929-1930) [Unknown]

With Nat Shilkret and The Victor Salon Group

Oh, Promise Me (1929) [Victor 22051-B]

ARTCO recordings

Official Bugle Calls (1939) [ARTCO 2897]
Ten Trumpet/Cornet Instruction Lessons (1939) [ARTCO]

Children's recordings

Rusty In Orchestraville (1946) [Capitol 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 (1940) Carl Fischer
- Trumpet trio with piano
Flexibility Studies and Technical Drills - Part 1 [0 3564] (1950) Carl Fischer
Flexibility Studies and Technical Drills - Part 2 [0 3648] (1950) Carl Fischer

Unpublished works

International Fantasie (1928)^[7]
- Cornet Solo with Band Accompaniment
Fantasie Caprice (1932)^[8]
- Cornet Solo with Band Accompaniment
Capitol City (March) (1934)^[9]
- March for Concert Band

References

^ ^a ^b "DEL STAIGERS, 52, NOTED CORNETIST: Soloist With Goldman Band 1926-34, Dies". The New York Times. 15 July 1950. p. 13.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "A Cornetist Confesses". The Metronome (December 1933): 25.
^ "Sousa Band Roster". 13 June 2012.
^ "FRENCH MUSIC BY GOLDMAN: To Celebrate Bastile Day Tonight -- Last Night's Concert". The New York Times. 14 July 1926. p. 19.
^ "The Legacy of Edwin Franco Goldman" (PDF). www.armyfieldband.com. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
^ "MALL CONCERTS END; CHEERS FOR GOLDMAN: Throng Presents Band Conductor His Portrait in Gold -- Del Staigers Gets Gold Cornet". The New York Times. 13 Aug 1927. p. 10.
^ "Goldman Concert at N.Y.U. Tonight". The New York Times.
^ "ACTIVITIES OF MUSICIANS HERE AND AFIELD; Goldman Band Concerts -- Repertory of Cincinnati Zoo Opera Company -- Other Items". The New York Times.
^ "List of goldman band programs 1915-1955 - Bing".