Patrick Gilmore

Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore was an American Band leader known as 'the father of the American Band' and was born on December 25, 1829 in Ballygar, County Galway, Ireland. After accompanying his father to a protest rally against the British rule in Athlone, Ireland as part of the Ballygar Fife Drum Band. During this rally Gilmore became interested in the disciplined band. He moved to Athlone where he became a member of the local bands.

A bandleader called Patrick Keating, who taught Gilmore classical music and trumpets. Gilmore left Ireland for Boston in America in 1848 to become a member of local Boston band He became the leader of the Boston Brigade Band and the Charlestown Band. He was famous as a cornet soloist and joined the Salem Brigade Band in 1853. Gilmore also performed for the inauguration of President James Buchanan marrying Ellen O’Neill in 1858.

Gilmore founded Patrick Gilmore’s Band, which featured 2 woodwinds to each brass instrument. The ensemble was the model for what would become the modern concert band. April 9, 1859 was the date of the first performance by the Gilmore Band. In 1861, Gilmore’s Band enlisted in the Union Army and in 1863, Gilmore was put in charge of training bands in Massachusetts.

After the War came to a close, Gilmore was asked by President Lincoln to organise and perform a celebration in New Orleans. The performance was a success.

Gilmore later went on to organise a peace festival to celebrate the end of the war. Gilmore’s National Peace Festival was held on the Boston Common in 1869 attended by President Grant and his cabinet. In 1872 Gilmore traveled to Europe with his band.

Gilmore came back to the United States with the idea of a World Peace Jubilee, which was held in Boston in 1872. In the late 1870’s, Gilmore created Gilmore’s Concert Garden in New York.

Gilmore joined the 22nd Regiment Band in New York in the early 1880’s. With this band, Gilmore started the tradition of gathering in Times Square at midnight on December 31 to celebrate the New Year. Gilmore continued touring the nation with the 22nd Regiment Band he died in 1892 from a heart attack and buried in the Old Calvary Cemetery New York City.

Source of Information

Summarised from Wikipedia

Updated 24-05-2021