Nice to see this piece bring out comments from band "buffs" and historians like Les from Miami, SOUSABOY, and John from NJ! Yes sadly, the golden age of concert bands is long gone and with the death of The Goldman Band, the final link to this era is lost forever. The Detroit Concert Band directed by Leonard B. Smith (Goldman's former cornet soloist) put out a series entitled "Gems Of The Concert Band" on LP in the 80's with many tracks having been remastered on CD and available on the Walking Frog label. A nostalgic read of this bygone era is "Bands Of America" by Schwartz who brings all the greats to life including Sousa, Gilmore, Pryor, Conway, Creatore and others. There is a fabulous Brown Bros. photograph ca. 1900 showing Sousa's Band posed for a picture at this very bandshell - those were the days my friends!

Cannot get to Central Pk in time for concert, so was delighted to have it broadcast to my kitchen while having supper. Transmission is good. Announcements clear. However,the music sound is somewhat muffled or tinny-sort of like the sound of old recordings without the static. Though part of that is the venue, as I have been there live- the bandshell does something unique to the sound. But not perfect quality is certainly preferable to missing it altogether.THANK YOU for live broadcast as well as archive.
Is it possible to have on your site the sponsers' addresses for listener thank you's for this kind of program?

Following up on what John and Sousaboy wrote, I not only miss the Franko Goldman Band and its performing excellence, I also miss men like Goldman who did to much to set comissions for new works in motion, such as what he did that resulted in "Tunbridge Fair" by Piston and "Ballad for Band" by Gould. His band also premiered important works such as "Divertimento for Band" by Persichetti. I also decry and condemn the fact that concert band and wind ensembles aren't a part of network radio anymore, such as the "Cities Service American Band" conducted by Paul Lavalle. The NBC Symphony, CBS Symphony, WOR Symphony's cancellations weren't the only disasters, in my opinion. At least there's the Internet.

I was there with two dear friends and it was wonderful! We went last summer, too and it has become one of our favorite things to do. The music was beautiful and the setting is truly magical. What a gift!

Wish I was there because the broadcast sound is terrible. The orchestra is muffled and honky while the applause is clean and detailed. Are the mics pointed the right way?

Kal

@ JOHN...I AGREE!!! I've got an GOLDMAN BAND with Edwin Franko album in my marching band collection that is a MASTERPIECE. Its an all Sousa march record, and that band plays Sousa to PERFECTION! (Every march is a knockout and played EXACTLY as J.P. Sousa would have played them) I wish I could see them perform at the band shell this Summer....it must have been a glorious, patriotic time indeed....(wonder if Midge would consider doing an all American band night there?)

Bittersweet to have summer upon us, look on the Naumburg "Band" Shell and remember that the Goldman (Memorial) Band is no more. I hope the plaques honoring Dr. Edwin Franko Goldman and his famous band are still in place on the shell's walls.

Once claiming at least three fully professional concert bands (George Seuffert's and the Staten Island Music Society along with the premiere Goldman ensemble) within the city limits, NYC of all cities ought to be home to this most American of musical assemblages.