A follow-up to the crowdfunding campaign I spearheaded in 2016 to obtain a grave marker for Black composer-pianist and World War I entertainer Helen Eugenia Hagan in New Haven: the New Haven Symphony (with which Hagan performed) honored Hagan with its History Award on February 6. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D–CT) also inserted an item in the Congressional Record saluting Hagan’s achievements.
Helen Hagan, 1918
On the World War I Centennial News podcast, I talk about black pianist-composer Helen Hagan who performed for 100,000–300,000 black troops in World War I France.
The new video series Yale Goes to War focuses on members of the Yale community who served in World War I. One video is on black composer-pianist Helen Hagan (Yale 1912), which mentions my book In Their Own Words: American Women in World War I.
Helen Hagan, from her 1918 passport application
New Haven mayor Toni Harp mentioned Helen Eugenia Hagan—the only black musician sent to play for the AEF in WWI France and 1912 Yale alumnus—in her State of the City address on February 6.
• Read more about Hagan
• Read about the September 2016 unveiling of a crowdfunded marker on Hagan’s previously unmarked grave in New Haven’s Evergreen Cemetery
• Listen to an excerpt from Hagan’s only extant composition, the Concerto in C Minor
The grave marker for composer and AEF pianist Helen Eugenia Hagan—supported by a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than $1600—was unveiled on September 29 at New Haven’s Evergreen Cemetery. As the organizer of the campaign, I was a speaker at the event. New Haven mayor Toni Harp declared the day “Women Making Music Day” in honor of Hagan (read the official proclamation).
Read articles on the unveiling (which also offer photos and some video):
• Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
• New Haven Register
• New Haven Independent
• WNPR
• Yale School of Music
Hagan was the only African American female musician to entertain the AEF in France (as part of the “Proctor Party” formed at the request of General John J. Pershing).
• More on Hagan’s life and work
• Listen to Hagan’s Concerto in C Minor, her only extant composition
Here is the tentative program for the Sept 29th unveiling of the grave marker for Helen Eugenia Hagan, black pianist for the AEF and Yale School of Music’s first black female graduate. The ceremony will be held at 2 pm at New Haven’s Evergreen Cemetery. This is the result of the crowdfunding campaign for the marker that I initiated.
• More on Hagan’s life and work
• Listen to Hagan’s only extant composition, the Concerto in C Minor (1912)
Hagan in YMCA uniform
The ceremony to unveil the grave marker for composer-pianist Helen Hagan—the only black performing artist sent to World War I France—has been set for Thursday, September 29, at 2 p.m. at New Haven’s Evergreen Cemetery.
Pianist-composer Helen Hagan
Yale School of Music has posted a piece on its alumnus, black pianist/ composer/AEF entertainer Helen Hagan (Yale 1912), mentioning that she was its first female African American student. Also covered are my efforts toward the production of a marker for her grave in New Haven.
> Listen to Hagan’s Concerto in C Minor
> Original blog post on Hagan
Hagan in YMCA uniform, ca. 1919
Today’s New Haven Register includes a nice piece by Ed Stannard on the grave marker effort for composer and AEF pianist Helen Hagan, in which I am quoted.
Hagan in YMCA uniform
Since my blog post on Helen Hagan (1891-1964)—composer, pianist, and AEF entertainer—I was stunned to learn that she lies in an unmarked grave in New Haven’s Evergreen Cemetery. Please consider joining the effort to obtain a marker for her grave that will recognize her achievements, and spread the word.
• Listen to Hagan’s Concerto in C Minor
Update, 3-25-16. The grave marker effort has surpassed its fund-raising goal, reaching a total of $1605. Thanks to all who so generously contributed. A dedication ceremony is envisioned for fall 2016.
American Women in World War I 