From 1912 to 1915, he studied at the Tambov musical school, where he composed the popular Russian patriotic march "Farewell of Slavianka"; he later served in the army.

[2] In 1920, Agapkin returned to Tambov, directing the music studio and the orchestra of the GPU troops.

[3] On August 5, 1922, Agapkin and his orchestra gave a farewell concert in Tambov, after which they moved to Moscow.

[4] In 1928, Agapkin organized a brass band of street children, which for many of them was the beginning of a professional career as a musician.

Agapkin led the combined Russian military bands during the famous Red Square October Revolution Parade in Moscow on 7 November 1941.