E. E. Bagley

Edwin Eugene Bagley (May 29, 1857 – January 29, 1922) was an American composer, most famous for composing the march National Emblem.

Bagley was born in Craftsbury, Vermont on May 29, 1857. He began his music career at the age of nine as a vocalist and comedian with Leavitt's Bellringers, a company of entertainers that toured many of the larger cities of the United States. Bagley began playing the cornet, traveling for six years with the Swiss Bellringers. After his touring days, Bagley joined Blaisdell's Orchestra of Concord, New Hampshire.

In 1880, Bagley came to Boston as a solo cornet player at The Park Theater. For nine years, he traveled with the Bostonians, an opera company. While with this company, Bagley changed from cornet to trombone. He also performed with the Germania Band of Boston and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In the early 1900s, Bagley played with Wheeler's Band in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Wheeler's Band was the first band to publicly perform Bagley's "National Emblem March" in 1906.

Bagley is best known for composing marches and in particular for the famous march National Emblem. This piece is played as a patriotic tune on Independence Day celebrations in the United States and features an excerpt of "The Star-Spangled Banner". It is also used by the U.S. military when presenting and retiring the colors. A theme from this march is popularly sung with the words "and the monkey wrapped his tail around the flagpole".

Bagley was married to Jannette S. Hoyt (1855–1927). His brother Ezra M. Bagley (January 3, 1853 – July 8, 1886) was first trumpet in the Boston Symphony Orchestra 1880-1884 and also composed marches for bands.

Bagley died in Keene, New Hampshire on January 29, 1922, at the age of 64. He is buried at the Greenlawn Cemetery in Keene. The Victorian Bandstand in Keene is named in Bagley's honor.

Birth and Death Data: Born May 29, 1857, Died 1922

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1908 - 1938

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer

Notes: Edwin E. Bagley.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-6214 10-in. 11/6/1925 National emblem march Arthur Pryor's Band Band composer  
Victor B-6214 10-in. 5/19/1908 National emblem march Arthur Pryor's Band Band composer  
Victor B-14604 10-in. 3/21/1914 National emblem march United States Marine Band Band composer  
Victor B-17883 10-in. 6/17/1916 National emblem march Pietro's Accordion Quartet Accordion quartet composer  
Victor BS-84150 10-in. 8/30/1934 National emblem Bluebird Military Band Band composer  
Victor BS-026807 10-in. 9/7/1938 National emblem march Goldman Band Band composer  
Columbia 19151 10-in. 12/7/1910 National emblem march Prince's Band Band composer  
Columbia 77986 10-in. 8/1/1918 National emblem march Victor Grabel ; U. S. S. Pennsylvania Band Band composer  
Columbia 48858 12-in. 7/8/1916 National emblem march Prince's Band Band composer  
Columbia W142283 10-in. 6/8/1926 National emblem march Columbia Band Band composer  
Columbia 28736 10-in. approximately 1913 National emblem march Alexander Prince Concertina solo composer  
OKeh 102 10-in. ca. Apr. 1918 National emblem march Military Band Band composer  
OKeh S-7586 10-in. Sept. 1920 National emblem (March) Conway's Band Band composer  
Brunswick 3852-3853 10-in. approximately July 1920 National emblem march Brunswick Military Band Band composer  
Brunswick E16127-E16128 10-in. 8/13/1925 National emblem Walter B. Rogers Band Band composer  
Brunswick E16354-E16356 10-in. 9/8/1925 National emblem Walter B. Rogers Band Band composer  
Brunswick E21257-E21258 10-in. 1/21/1927 National emblem march Walter B. Rogers Band Band composer  
Edison 4582 10-in. 3/14/1916 National emblem march New York Military Band Band composer  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Bagley, E. E.," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106394.

Bagley, E. E.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106394.

"Bagley, E. E.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106394

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